Twenty-six years ago today, humanity lost one of of its very best. John Lennon was an unmatched singer, a vastly underrated guitarist, and a lyricist in a league of his own. But these are minor details.
He was also a man of honesty, an outspoken opponent of the war that tore his generation apart, and a vocal critic of all forms of bullshit, especially the political sort.
More importantly, he never missed a chance to stand up for what he believed in, at a considerable cost to his career -- and eventually at the cost of his life.
Would things be different if he were still alive? Of course they would.
Would he be a leader of the anti-war movement today? Absolutely! If John were still alive, there might actually be an anti-war movement.
Was he killed because of his vision, and his willingness to sacrifice what was his in favor of what was right? In my opinion that's not even a question.
Today, as we remember what John Lennon gave to the world, and what the world took from him and his family, I am humble to present an open letter from his widow, Yoko Ono Lennon:
I'll leave the last word with John:Every year, on this day, I hear from many people from all over the world who remember my husband, John Lennon, and his message of peace. They write to tell me they are thinking of John on this day and how he was shot and killed at the prime of his life, at age 40, when he had so much life ahead of him.
Thank you for your undying love for John and also for your concern for me on this tragic anniversary. This year, though, on December 8th, while we remember John, I would also like us to focus on sending the following messages to the millions of people suffering around the world:
To the people who have also lost loved ones without cause: forgive us for having been unable to stop the tragedy. We pray for the wounds to heal.
To the soldiers of all countries and of all centuries, who were maimed for life, or who lost their lives: forgive us for our misjudgments and what happened as a result of them.
To the civilians who were maimed, or killed, or who lost their family members: forgive us for having been unable to prevent it.
To the people who have been abused and tortured: forgive us for having allowed it to happen.
Know that your loss is our loss.
Know that the physical and mental abuse you have endured will have a lingering effect on our society, and the world.
Know that the burden is ours.
As the widow of one who was killed by an act of violence, I don't know if I am ready yet to forgive the one who pulled the trigger. I am sure all victims of violent crimes feel as I do. But healing is what is urgently needed now in the world.
Let's heal the wounds together.
Every year, let's make December 8th the day to ask for forgiveness from those who suffered the insufferable.
Let's wish strongly that one day we will be able to say that we healed ourselves, and by healing ourselves, we healed the world.
With deepest love,
Yoko Ono Lennon
New York City 2006
Gimme Some Truth
I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky's
gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of hope
Money for dope
Money for rope
No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky's
gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Money for dope
Money for rope
I'm sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending, mamas little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now
I've had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric, paranoiac, prima-donnas
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth
No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky's
gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope
Money for rope
Ah, I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth