Jamila McCoy

I am a young African American female. I am constantly trying to avoid and escape the toils and snares of a society that still treats me like three fifths of a human being. My weapon in the struggle to survive is politics. Corporate America and the big money media would like to see my people poor and ignorant, as it makes us easier to exploit. But I se through the lies and realize that as a wise M.C. named Talib Kweli once said, "Life without knowledge is death in disguise," therefore I am constantly seeking ways to increase my awareness. Although enlightenment ultimately comes from knowledge of self, it is important to strive to increase the social consciousness of the masses. I have put these theories to practice by dedicating countless hours to community service in Washington D.C. and Detroit, MI, organizing a Student Awareness Club in Silver Spring, strengthening my leadership skills in a Leadership Training Institute, and participating in groups such as Tribal Revolutionary Ideas For Black Elevation (t.r.i.b.e.). Living in Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Japan, and Maryland has truly expanded my horizons as well. Living in Okinawa, Japan for a year was a remarkable experience. When I first moved there I was astounded by the dramatic differences between it and my own country. However, as I learned more about Japan's history and its relationship with America and Europe I began to feel that perhaps my African American culture and the Japanese culture had some things in common. In 1919 the European dominated League of Nations rejected a proposal that stated that all races were equal under pressure from the United States and Britain. While the Japanese were being discriminated against by the League of Nations and the Black Americans were being subjected to discrimination in the form of Jim Crow laws. The Japanese and the Blacks shared a common enemy, an enemy that confined Blacks in jails and ghettos and Japanese Americans in prison camps. That same enemy killed countless Blacks from slavery until the present day, and that enemy killed thousands and thousands of Japanese at the end of WWII in the first use of atomic and hydrogen bombs in battle. While the acts of terror committed against people of color have been numerous and cruel, America's use of weapons of mass destruction against Japan stand out as especially treacherous acts of violence.

The decision President Truman made to drop the bomb was flawed in that it disregarded both the Japanese culture and the option of diplomacy in ending the war.

An important cultural factor in WWII was that the Emperor was regarded as a god by the Japanese. The people had a strong allegiance to the Emperor and anything that the people perceived to be a threat to him, like the "unconditional surrender" the U.S. demanded would not be accepted by the Japanese public. President Truman had been advised of the importance of the Emperor to the Japanese, yet he totally disregarded this aspect of their culture in the decisions he made leading up to the end of the war. The cultural superiority complex of American leadership created an even more hostile situation and made it impossible to resolve the conflict diplomatically.

According to Doug Long "[the war could have probably been ended] sooner with fewer deaths on all sides by using the full carrot and stick: 1) Offer retention of Emperor for a quick surrender 2) threaten Russian invasion; and as the absolute last resort threaten with atomic destruction. Rather than using threats to solve the problem the U.S. chose to use military force, not out of necessity, but for revenge.

Japan has rebuilt its infrastructure and its economy has recovered, but it and the rest of the world are forever scarred by the use of the atomic and hydrogen bombs against them. The attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki made war an even more vicious, destructive, and ruthless institution. The advancements in military technology took man to new lows, as he was now able to destroy all of creation in a few swift blows. Using a weapon of mass destruction against the Japanese was a quick way to eliminate the symptoms of the greater threat of the world's greatest problems; injustice and inequality.

The global community can look to Hiroshima and Nagasaki as examples of what happens when the doctrine "might makes right" is followed. As we remember the immense tragedies of these massacres we should say never again will there be another atomic holocaust

It is our responsibility as members of the human race to be watchful of our leaders, to check their power, and to make sure that they do not commit crimes against humanity to serve their own personal objectives. If we are to prevent our brothers and sisters from exploitation at the hands of a wealthy and corrupt few, we must take control of our media, our means of production, our land, and our resources if we ever want to regain control of our lives.

Each and every one of us is our brother's keeper, to be silent when one witnesses injustice is to give one's consent. We cannot prevent another Hiroshima or Nagasaki by becoming mentally lazy and being lax in our activism. The spirit of the movement must stay strong after the marches and rallies are over for any true changes to be made in society. Without education, and self-determination we have no control of our situation. Nagasaki and Hiroshima; Never again!