Something that I find funny--actually, rather disconcerting--is how, from a young age, we raise our children to resolve problems civilly and peacefully, yet also inundate them with the one thing that effectively contradicts that message: militarization. Yes, I do understand that playground squabbles aren't exactly the same as world conflicts, but what is essentially happening is that adults--who are the adults in the situation--are handling their issues more immaturely than how they are telling their kids to. Little man, use your words, not your fists--but I'll bypass the civil discourse and break out the high-powered weaponry.
I haven't really done the research, but off the top of my head, every developed nation that I can think of is a military culture to some extent. This directly leads to many of the conflicts worldwide; the teachings manifest themselves down the road as the "only course of action". I can only speak for the United States, but it is definitely forced upon our citizens from birth. From toy guns and plastic army men, to ROTC and on-campus recruiters, to video games such as "Call of Duty", it is indoctrination at its best. This encouragement--and desensitization to violence--leads to acceptance and rationalization as children grow up. Patriotism and nationalism--banes of society--are played out in the all-but-required Pledge of Allegiance at schools, the National Anthem at sporting events, and simply in the existence of the Boy and Girl Scouts.
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert at international issues currently at hand, but I do know the Gaza Strip conflict roots back sixty-some years. Seeing as most people involved in that situation were not alive at the genesis, their perceptions have been directly influenced by what they have been taught, which--on both sides--favored themselves. In that instance, there will never be a consensus on who's right or wrong, so the only appropriate course is to move forward.
If I were to renounce my pacifist ways, it would probably be over something like the ISIS crisis, but I deep down believe that there is a civil solution to it. It's a HORRIBLE situation, but violence only begets more violence. In this and the aforementioned Gaza conflict, violence is only going to eliminate more and more people and regions--there will be no building from it. Focus needs to be on civil and rational dialogue. That starts from youth. The way that youth is impressionable regarding propaganda in favor of military action is the same way they would be for education against it.
Boys, especially, are expected to adorn themselves in camouflage everything and anything and incorporate guns in some fashion into every game they play. As much as I would have LOVED to have a little Jason Robert (whom I would affectionately call Jr. Jr.), I must say one of the benefits of having only girls is avoiding those societal pressures (although the influence hasn't exactly been absent from my daughters' lives).
While I grew up in a military home, perhaps it was because my dad was in the Coast Guard or that he just didn't shove it down our throats that I was able to form my own train of thought and choose the alternate path. I love my father to death and respect him immensely as a human being and a dad, but when people say that I am disrespecting him with my beliefs, I am just as offended that its not acknowledged that the views of me and people like me are disrespected by military action. I in no way feel that servicemen and women don't have their hearts in the right place or don't think they're doing what's right, but what they've been taught from early on tells them that the course of action they are taking is the right one.
This being the hundredth anniversary of the start of the first world war has countries around the world celebrating it, rather than denouncing it--this encourages that type of conflict resolution. While participants in war are celebrated and given ticker-tape parades upon return, pacifists and conscientious objectors are ostracized, and sometimes hated--forced to live in the shadows. To paraphrase Gandhi, I would die for a cause--and I have nothing but respect for those who do--but I wouldn't kill for one.
In my opinion, much of the animosity between nations is due to the lack of communication and dialogue. Enemies are created--they're not natural. I don't live in fear of randomly getting punched by someone, because I stay on good terms with people. When I do get in disagreements, I keep it civil and respectful. This whole entitlement, exceptionalism, and "We're the greatest country in the world" mantra is of course going to rub folks the wrong way. Many countries (the United States disproportionately) have bases in within the borders of other nations under the guise of support and defense; it wouldn't look that way if I set up shop in somebody else's house.
We need to rid ourselves of the "God, family, country" mentality and replace it with "God, family, humanity". National borders and sovereignty need to be eliminated, as much of the international strife is based on patriotic ego, much like a gang mentality. "Don't Tread on Me" encourages reaction rather than proaction; I once was wearing a world peace shirt, and I was told that we would start practicing it when others did--nobody wants to step forward and be the trailblazer. This comes directly from the "show me respect and I'll respect you" mentality--I hear it from the kids at my job all the time--that is so often instilled in them by their parents; if everyone was waiting for others to respect them before they showed it, there would be very little respect going around. It has to start somewhere.
Before I wrap this up, I feel I need to include this disclaimer, as not to give people the wrong impression: This piece is not just about America. This is not an anti-American article (I am not anti-American, but anti-nation). This is about an effort that needs to be made in ALL CORNERS of the globe in order for the human race to sustain. With all the advances in technology, medical, and science, why can't we evolve in this area, as well?
In conclusion, if you want peace in the end, start from the beginning.
PEACE.
