Dear Mr. Matsumura,
I have recently read your very compelling article “The Powerful and Fading Message of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s Global Survivors: The Case for a Group Nobel Prize.” As a long time professor of peace studies, and one who has promoted nuclear disarmament for almost 50 years, I think your blog and Nobel Peace Prize campaign are very critical elements for the promotion of a worldwide movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons from Planet Earth.
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| Bill Wickersham, Adjunct Professor of Peace Studies, University of Missouri |
Over the years, my sub-specialty in educational psychology and peace studies has been the problem of social and psychological obstacles which hinder personal, group, national and international efforts to mobilize public demand for the elimination of the omnicidal threat. Unfortunately, those obstacles, including ignorance, denial and apathy, have blocked most such mobilization, with the possible exception of the worldwide ” Nuclear Freeze ” movement of the 1980s, which was aimed more at arms control than truly deep cuts and abolition of nuclear weapons.
Historically, hundreds of fine non-governmental organizations have provided excellent research, information and program/action recommendations aimed at citizen involvement on behalf of nuclear disarmament. In so doing, the NGOs have provided essential data for the “head” but, in large measure, have failed to truly reach the “heart” of their audiences in a way that strongly moves people to action.
One major exception to this failing was the project initiated by my former boss, noted editor and peace advocate, the late Norman Cousins, who in 1955, brought 25 young female Japanese A-bomb survivors to the United States for plastic surgery, other medical treatment, and meetings with prominent U.S. leaders and other U.S. citizens. The medical care was donated by New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, and involved 125 operations on the women, rebuilding lips, noses, hands, and eyelids, thus allowing them a promising future. Other expenses were covered by the Quakers and other donors. This project was important for two reasons. It was a fine example of human reconciliation, and it also helped many Americans to concretely FEEL and understand the real human price of nuclear war. The problem was no longer an abstraction for the Americans who met with, and interacted with the young Japanese women. Philosopher Jean Paul Sartre has noted that the biggest crime of our time is to make that which is concrete into something that is abstract. And, of course, this is a major roadblock of the whole issue of nuclear extinction without representation. It is the ultimate abstraction for many people. Norman’s project overcame this obstacle, and for a brief period, his project stimulated several U.S. NGOs to step up their organizing efforts for nuclear disarmament. It is unfortunate that he did not have a blog such as yours to reach the hearts of people everywhere.
In the past few years, our Missouri University Nuclear Disarmament Education Team (MUNDET), other elements of our peace studies program and our Mid-Missouri chapter of Veterans for Peace, have used films and photographic exhibits of the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to reach the emotional core of our students, civic and faith groups, and other audiences. We have found this approach to be very effective in terms of attitude change on the part of most participants. We, like you, have steered clear of the U.S assailant/Japanese victim theme and “blame game” approach, and have instead stressed the incredible danger and insanity of the nuclear deterrence myth.
Children and adults around the world are frequently taught that we must learn the lessons of history so we will not repeat the repeat the mistakes of the past. This is precisely the approach you are so skillfully offering with your very attractive website, blog and carefully crafted campaign for the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, including several from countries other than Japan who were residents in those cities at the time of the atomic bombings. Their history and voices of reconciliation are truly the most important messages required by the human species if it is to survive the nuclear madness. Consequently, that history and their voices must not be allowed to fade away.
It is my sincere hope that the Nobel Peace Prize Committee will accept your proposal for a group prize arrangement for the A-bomb survivors. I believe such an arrangement could be a triggering mechanism for widespread mobilization of citizens everywhere on behalf of nuclear weapons abolition. If there is any way that I and our MUNDET team may be of assistance in your campaign, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Adjunct Professor of Peace Studies University of Missouri, USA
Professor Wickersham's comments resonate powerfully within my psyche. As musician, I spend a lot of time trying to reconcile the relevance of historical events for audiences so they can get the fullest impact of the music. In calling for the honoring of the international victims of the bomb by awarding a posthumous Nobel Prize, the committee would accomplish a great task of focusing on a very real problem our breathless society suffers from.
While technology has allowed us to receive information and products faster than ever before we have developed a kind of communal ADD as a people. I can't recall a US administration which had been given time to accomplish a task that has paid dividends for years to come, because the populace requires instant gratification that is often unavailable or impossible to deliver under the circumstances.
This is why a Nobel prize for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would be a welcome beacon that the Peace Prize is as much about legacies as the year's best and benefitting the future generations which, through no fault of their own, grow more out of touch with living history.
Dear Matsumura-san,
Allow me to send you this short note of appreciation for sending me your e-mails with the introduction of articles. It’s always good to know your views and suggestions on various global issues of importance. I found your latest was certainly good one. I am also glad to know that Dr Wickersham is hopeful and supportive of your proposal.
I wish you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
Munemichi Kurozumi
Vice Chief Patriarch of Kurozumikyo Shinto
“Reaching the heart of the audience” as mentioned in Professor Bill Wickersham’s comments is vital. What is truly needed is for humanity to begin making decisions based on the “Heart” and not from a place of endless data, reports, studies and think tanks.
I was amazed to learn that the United States has never had any official reconciliation ceremony with Japan in regard to Hiroshima or Nagasaki. No US president has visited either city to offer healing words or lay a wreath at the memorial. Indeed the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with a weapon of such utter mass destruction is not just a tragedy for Japan but a tragedy for all humanity. In order to really heal and experience forgiveness at a deep level—humanity needs to acknowledge one of the darkest episodes in our collective human history. I can’t think of a better way but to honor the remaining survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the Noble Peace Prize. This act could also lead us to pause and reflect on the path that we human beings are currently walking.
This reflection should include our paradigms or our approaches to peace. Do we really believe that a nation's possession of the biggest threat to human life can achieve peace? Nuclear disarmament should not be negotiable. It is the inherent right of all human beings to live on a planet free from the fear of possible annihilation.
In the history of humankind at this place in time, we need to ask is this the best that humanity has to offer? What will we be remembered for in this era? We need to begin to come together as true human beings, living in accordance to the interdependence of all life and set forth on a more profound pathway to something more meaningful. Let us begin to fulfill our highest and most illuminated potential. Honoring the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki could help humanity to work together to build a bridge of brotherhood and come from the place of the heart.
–Carrie Martin, “Oshee”, Western Director of Circle Legacy Center
i was amazed to read about Norman' efforts for bringing 25 female survivors to USA for medical treatment. it was long time ago, the passion and spirit reborn through Akio's words. The survivors have been treated as 'leftovers' in their own senses but never acknowledged. it is a long tedious journey where they never wish to look back but at least after getting Noble prize, some time later they would look back for this achievement of being peace makers. All the best for Akio's efforts and dedication towards this humble and noble cause!