Imagine

By April Mays on 09/16/2011 @ 10:30 AM

Today, on my commute to FCNL, I arrived at Union Station just like any other day. As I was walking along the front of Union Station I saw two police officers with really large guns clinched in hand, which previously I have seen only in pictures of occupied regions and in the movies. I instantly felt panicked, not safe. My heart started racing as I looked around to see who or what they were after and why, but I did not stop walking. Keep in mind that these officers were not aiming at anything, simply walking along with their large weapons. That did not stop my mind from imagining the worst, that something was terribly wrong and I was about to be in the middle of it. I kept walking and never looked back. When I arrived at the office I felt relief and slightly silly for panicking so quickly, but my fear had been real.

Thinking briefly on the occupied territories around the world, many of which are in the Middle East, my gut reaction after my experience this morning is to be offended by the fear that such a presence must cause. I cannot imagine if that were my daily encounter at every street corner on my route home or to the grocery. I certainly would not feel safe or grateful for such a greeting. When thinking on solutions to global conflict it may initially seem like a good idea to use force, but force makes no logical sense in the long run. If the root of the problem—cultural tensions, limited resources, feeling economically destitute—is never addressed then we cannot expect to ever solve the issues which face us. I would like to live in a world free of war and the threat of war. As the ten year anniversary of 9/11 has come and gone I feel the need for this world more than ever.

All of humanity bleeds red and grieves the same; when will we realize that making the same mistakes over and over will only lead to more pain. Just as those who are being occupied through force have families and friends, hopes and dreams, needs and wants, so do those that are the forceful presence. It may seem like a lofty goal to work for a world free of war and the threat of war, but peace is possible if people see each other as brothers and sisters, as opposed to potential threats. There would be no need for a military presence, or a militarized police presence with large weapons in Union Station. Through time and reconciliation we could all live in harmony. This reminds me of the song “Imagine” by John Lennon. Can you imagine?