The heart of our community peace and human rights arts projects is community engagement.
Impact of the B4 Peace Projects in the US and Internationally
https://namayaproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Untitled.mp4
Vietnam Journey To Forgiveness by Namaya 2020
How do we forgive and make peace with our past? These were my guiding questions as I visited Vietnam at the beginning of this year, forty-five years after the end of the Vietnam War, to create a writing and art project, “Journey to Forgiveness.” I am a US Navy Vietnam-era veteran, and this journey was even more poignant. I had hoped to discover a fresh understanding of the people and the war, and as importantly the ongoing legacy of Agent Orange (dioxin) poisoning and unexploded ordinances. In Vietnamese, they say, “Making Peace is a treasure.” Dĩ hoà vi quý. I was in search of this treasure and discovered a wealth of new understanding. In my two-month journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, I discovered kind and generous people, and a country that captivated my imagination and senses. It is tucked between an ancient past and modernity, a culture that values traditions like the Tet New Year’s that revers ancestors and vibrantly embraces the future. It is a young nation on the move. The girls and young women are lovely, and they’re often named after flowers Lan (Orchid), Mai (Apricot), Dao (Peach), and; Hong (Rose). Children are playing everywhere, and there is a welcoming smile wherever you go. Delicious foods are made in tiny stalls on old Hanoi’s crowded sidewalks and fill the air with savory fragrances. Families sit on the small plastic stools and share pots of Bun Bo Hue, Pho, steaming pots of rice, fish on the grill, and fresh spring rolls. Vietnam is the world capital of cooking, with its flavors and spices drawn from its tradition and throughout Asia. It is a feast for the senses and spirit! For many, it is a hard life of work and family, but there is this joy of family and life that is readily visible. With its sultry vistas from the Mekong Delta to the serene BaNang Mountains and coastlines that stretch the country’s length, I am wonderstruck. The emerald green rice paddies, from small villages to vast fields, is the true wealth of this land, and this harvest of rice has always been the soul of the country. Yet, beneath this beauty, there is the indisputable legacy of Agent Orange poisoning from the war that still has a profound impact on the ecosystem. Imagine Peace at War Remnants Museum in HCMC, Vietnam Vietnam is a profusion of farms, classic imperial palaces, temples and gardens, and crowded modern cities. Monasteries and temples are carved into the Marble Mountains, and during the war, tunnels were carved to treat Vietnamese soldiers. Though the war was more than fifty years ago, the trauma and memories are ever-present and despite these scars, the land’s beauty endures. Vietnam is shaped and defined be the invaders and their wars that have come and gone, but from the courage of these resilient peoples has emerged a country of grandeur and rugged beauty. In the city of Hue, there are centuries-old homes and gardens. It is surprising what has endured, even the elegant remnants of an imperial poet’s home still stands. This city and the imperial palace were heavily damaged during the war; yet, one can still see the monumental grandeur that was built by peasant laborers. Hue was a key battleground in the Tet Offensive in 1968, a country-wide military operation by the North Vietnamese army that tore away the facade that the war was only a “police action” by the Americans. Today, as I walk along the Perfume River at daybreak, the fishermen in their long-boats, cast their wide nets to the river, as they have for centuries. Despite the modern cities, gleaming new airports, and resorts it is still defined by its laborers, farmers, and hard-working people with their heavily weighed down bamboo shoulder baskets (don gahn tre) with fruits, vegetables, and just about anything. This nation was born from the sweat, strength, and profound courage of its people. In coming to Vietnam in 2020, for a writing and art residency about peace, my challenge was to set aside my assumptions and beliefs about Vietnam. In Buddhism, it is called a beginner mind. Serendipitously, the renowned Buddhist teacher and peace leader Thich Nhat Hanh returned to Hue this year, and we visited his beautiful ancient temple Hanh Tu Hieu. Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, each moment is the present and wonderful moment. As I walk along the Perfume River and through the Imperial palace’s ruins, it’s a meditation on the present as my eyes and senses filled are filled with the beauty of this land. Vietnam is an ancient culture, dating back thousands of years and occupied since the pre-historic times, with a culture drawn from the Cham Empire, influences of Khmer, Chinese, Buddhists, and eventually the Western countries. Monks in saffron robes stroll by with black umbrellas. There is a profusion of Buddhist temples, and there are also the old French Catholic churches throughout the country. Most famously the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City was built from imported materials from France. Today, less than ten percent of Vietnamese identify as Catholics. Though fifteen percent of Vietnamese declare themselves as Buddhist; however, the mix of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and the traditional folk religions are the foundation of their culture. The Buddhist monks staunchly opposed the war and the South Vietnamese government’s corruption and repression. On June 11, 1963 a monk, Thich Quang Duc, calmly sat down in downtown Saigon and immolated himself to protest the war, an act that shocked the world. This profound sacrifice embodied the immense courage and resilience of the Vietnamese people. The United States had undermined the Vietnamese independence movement since the 1940s. During WWII, the Vietnamese under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh aided the USA and the Allied troops against the Japanese occupation. However, upon presenting their Vietnamese constitution modeled on the American one, the USA rejected it, and then became mired in an unwinnable war. The Americans reequipped and brought the French Army
I WILL NOT CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY
I am the Vietnam Generation: Generation of Witness: Rage! Sing the rage for the innocents. Rage! Sing the rage and call for atonement. As rage dissolves to contrition and leads us home to love. The Dharma is not war, it is the journey home to love. Dharmapada, the path to true Dharma, to give to surrender to love I do not want to be called a Baby Boomer. I am the Vietnam generation. I am the generation of witness and fire. I was a hospital corpsman during Vietnam and though I was far from combat, the war haunts me and my generation. This war of decades ago, and unending wars of the American war machine, shrouds my waking hours. I am the Vietnam Generation. I hold the memory of two million Vietnamese children, men, and women killed during the War of Liberation. I hold the memory of 58,229 dead Americans and 55,000 French soldiers killed. Not killed for patriotism. Not killed to save a nation. Killed for the Military-Industrial insanity. I hold the memory of the millions of wounded soldiers and children maimed with bombs and Agent Orange. How have we paid recompense for the 400,000 Vietnamese killed by Agent Orange? How have we remediated the the land destroyed by bombs and Agent Orange? How many generations will it take to heal this land? Is there a salve that can soothe the scars of napalm bombs? Is there a salve that will heal the skin of those burned with phosphorous? How do we Americans care for the thousands of deformed children born today? When will there be contrition? How have we atoned for our deeds? How will we atone for My Lai and the unknown massacres? How will we care for the people and land destroyed by the sin and evil of war? While the chairman of Dow Chemical Carl A. Gerstacker played golf on immaculate green lawns; While Dow chemical’s napalm incinerated Vietnam and burned people alive: While Monsanto gained fortunes for its stockholders with the poison Agent Orange: While the war profiteers made their poisons and guns to destroy Vietnam, and proclaimed the greatness of the USA. While Nixon scuttled a peace deal in 1968 so he could get elected. While McNamara formulated the calculus of war. Johnson, Kennedy, Kissinger, and all stoked the machine of death. They were the architects of monumental hubris. While those safe in draft deferments, protested the war: While the poor and working-class soldiers were sucked into the vortex of conscription. I want to hold the hundreds of thousands of wounded and homeless veterans. Now huddled in the streets. I don’t want us known as The Woodstock generation with its ephemera of peace and love. I want us to hold in our bones the imperative of peace and contrition. Vietnam Generation May2020 – Namaya 6 Do we have the courage to bend down on our knees in supplication? And to you, the noble saints of peace, who came to Vietnam and cared for the children. To the warriors of the higher conscience, who refused to march off to war. To the soldiers who returned and now are working for justice in Vietnam. To those who chose prison over war. To those who fled family and home to protest. The courageous monks, driven mad with pain, burned themselves alive to stop war. The students at Kent State shot dead by soldiers while they protested against war. Your acts of resistance and love shines with fearless courage. [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”5. Witness: Cambodia” _builder_version=”4.5.8″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ body_font=”Muli||||||||”]I journeyed to Cambodia, where the genocide and killing fields were fostered by the American war machine. Twenty-five percent of Cambodians killed. The soul of a nation shredded by genocide. Children born after the Americans went safely home Vietnam Generation May2020 – Namaya 8 are still maimed and killed by landmines. Children in wheel-chairs begging. Eyes famished for hope and asked us, “Please, help.” Where is our contrition? How is their forgiveness? Where is our mercy and justice? The killing fields and landmines are underfoot as I walk through the Mekong. Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are littered with landmines and Agent Orange. Landmines dropped by B-52s in a rain of evil, blacker than evil itself. Where is the shame that should burn in our soul? Where is the repentance? Where is our courage to end all war? [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”6. Laos” _builder_version=”4.5.8″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ body_font=”Muli||||||||”]Beautiful innocent Laos. Nestled in the mountains, ancient Buddhist land, now infested with landmines that destroy and maim children decades after the war. Today, I walk through the fields. Our guides point us to the right path, but there are no signs, no guideposts to the landmines strewn by the Americans. The US Military indiscriminately bombed and poisoned Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Today, I met the children at the hospital, their legs blown off by landmines, and cluster bombs dropped fifty years ago. How are we humbled and shamed by our deeds? When will we bend to our knees to ask forgiveness? [/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”7. The US Military-Industrial Machine” _builder_version=”4.5.8″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ body_font=”Muli||||||||”]We, the Vietnam generation, have we grown complacent waddling to retirement and investing in the war machine? Panama, Grenada, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the necklace of our war machine is made from the skulls of children. We have raped, ravaged and looted countries around the globe. Our trillion dollar platinum plated war machine is lacquered with the blood and bones of its victims. When will we fight the real war? The war against poverty? Our war to save the environment? When we will end the desire for war? We, the Woodstock generation, born in the shadows and fire of war. We saw the nightly news with the daily tallies of death, while our brothers and kin we’re sent over for a war of lies. What of the greater love? Contrition? Humility? Atonement? I don’t want to be called the baby boomer or Woodstock generation. I am the Vietnam generation. I am the
On the way to Vietnam: 19 Dec 2019
Friends, We are so pleased to be getting ready to leave for Vietnam on the 2nd of January 2020. We have been preparing for this journey and our art residency in Hue Vietnam. We will endeavor to post photos, reflections, art, and writings about this “Journey to Forgiveness.” every few days. As we take this six-week journey to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, My Lai, Hanoi, and many of the important site of the war. But as important to focus on the present, both the beauty of this magnificent country, as well as the tragic impact of the war that claimed more than 2 million Vietnamese. Forty-Five years since the end of the war in 1975, how has Vietnam transformed? What has been the ongoing impact of the American and French military presence? There is reported to be some 400, 000 deaths in Vietnam related to Agent Orange, the herbicide and poison that was randomly sprayed throughout the country. Even though the Dow Chemical Corporation and the US govt. knew this was toxic. (However, wouldn’t it seem logical that an herbicide would be a poison?) Children are still being born now with the effects of the Agent Orange that was sprayed in Vietnam almost a half-century ago Here is information from the press release. If you wish to support this project please donate through www.gracecares.org. Thank you. Namaya, poet, artist, and USN veteran, and a member of Veterans for Peace has been invited to Vietnam to the New Space Art Center to create an art/ writing/ photography residency entitled “Journey to Forgiveness.” With his creative partner Zoe Kopp they will travel at the beginning of January to March exploring Vietnam to understand the impact of the war on the land and people of Vietnam. The project in part is sponsored by www.gracecares.org and support through https://www.gofundme.com/f/journey-to-forgiveness. You can follow their progress, videos, and writings on www.namayaproductions.com/blog “We have been creating peace and reconciliation projects around the world and in the USA. We hope to highlight the beauty of Vietnam and its people, and the war’s disastrous impact on the people and their environment. The herbicide Agent Orange was widely sprayed over Vietnam that has caused over 400,000 deaths. We are keenly aware of how the USA has engaged in wars and colonialism over its two hundred year history. My wish is that during this brief visit to Vietnam, by working on this theme of forgiveness, I can begin to understand how this process of healing has transpired since the end of the war. Also, to shed light on the on-going impact of Agent Orange and the fatalities still caused by unexploded landmines.” “Our goal is to listen and observe with respect and sensitivity to the people of Vietnam. Even though the war officially ended forty-five years ago, the scars and trauma of the war persist.” said Zoe Kopp Namaya was a US Navy hospital corpsman, “Though I had no direct experience with combat, living through the war years and subsequently working with Veterans and peace groups has had a profound impact on me. As a result of my service in the Navy, I became a pacifist. I subsequently served in Yemen as a Peace Corps volunteer in the mid-1970. I am also a member of Veterans for Peace. I’ve spent the years since the end of Vietnam working in international development, peacebuilding, the arts, and performance all dealing with the themes of peace and community building.” Zoe Kopp is a peace creator, epidemiologist, and co-founder of the community development projects of www.gracecares.org. “We are very pleased with this opportunity to meet people in Vietnam and hear their stories. During this residency, Namaya and Zoe with local artists will create an art project “The Tree of Memory and Forgiveness.” It is a project for people to write some aspect of something they would like to forgive and write it on a small card and attach it to a tree. It could be a photograph, writing or drawing. This work will be anonymous. At the end of the two weeks of the project, it is proposed at the end, the stories, poems, and art is read out loud and then burned. Symbolizing both the witness and the surrendering of memory. When Namaya and Zoe return they will present this art, photography, and writing in public presentations. This Journey of Forgiveness is part of Namaya’s multiyear project called Pornography of War: The impact of war and militarism in society. I am the Vietnam Generation: Generation of Witness I don’t want to be called a baby boomer I want to be named the Vietnam generation I am of the generation of Witness. https://www.gofundme.com/f/journey-to-forgiveness
War Is The Problem
Dear Mr. Pentagon Even for me as a kid I know that “War is the problem.” I need a future So please stop the wars. thank you, Kids of the World
