Today is a day of contrasts: horror and healing, violence and victory, shadows and light.
“We have unleashed the power of the sun, and found our own shadow beneath it.”
It depends on where you're standing.
I wasn’t standing anywhere on this day eighty years ago. I showed up about twenty years later, and back then, the Japanese were still called japs and Asians were “Orientals.” I remember some anchor on the news in the late 1970's try to declare that “Orientals” were now to be called “Asians,” and “Blacks” should be “Afro-Americans.” Afro-Americans? I bet his producer got canned after that newscast. Sometime around the peak of The Cosby Show, the term “African American” took hold.
Back to the Japs... it was eighty years ago today that we dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima. We ended the Pacific Theater and kickstarted the Cold War. Every August 6th, Japan holds peace ceremonies to remember the victims and call for disarmament.
I have never called anyone a jap to their face, but when I talk WWII, the “japs and the nazis” are our enemies and I’ll never capitalize either one, historically they are filthy animals...
...But don’t get me wrong—I have JumboLove for the Japanese and the Germans. I have no natural enemy besides the guy who played Air Supply repeatedly on the Shanahans jukebox in 1993.
Lately, the Russians and Americans are back at it, flexing their saggy Cold War muscles. It makes me think of Blue Öyster Cult:
"History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men... Godzilla."
For me, I’m not going to worry about a nuclear war. I’d like to bang out about twenty-one more summers before I go meet my Old Man and Ma up in heaven.
In that time, I’d like a few things:
-Sox vs. Cubs in a World Series
-Make peace with the Kansas Jayhawk who gave me the ShepKids
-Score a try with the Blaze Old Boys
-Finally make out with Missy Webb
That's not asking too much.
We can’t erase the pain history laid down, but we sure as hell can help heal each other and maybe quit the bullshit.
It’s Hump Day.
Time for me to balance the markets and spread some JumboLove to whoever crosses my path. Enjoy the gusto you Chalkheads.
