Where have all the young men gone?

‘Why should I kill someone who’s never hurt me?’

By Meher Pestonji in Mumbai

The lasting image today is heart-wrenching.

Tense American boys in uniform standing at attention in rows, waiting to be sent to the war zone.

Beside them, a father and a mother, one white, one black, holding back tears as they say farewell, not knowing if this could be the last hug.

When they joined the army did these kids realise they might be sent to fight for another country?

Did they know they would have to follow orders, right or wrong, just or unjust?

If they joined with an idealistic concept of patriotism, won’t they feel betrayed like Aaron Bushnell?

This young pilot self-immolated in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. protesting against the Gaza genocide, preferring to die than kill people he had no reason to hate.

Now more young lives are at risk of being sacrificed.

MARTYR

Aaron Bushnell speaks

“I don’t want to kill

“Why should I kill

someone who’s never hurt me?

Someone I’ve never seen

Someone who is a

father,

mother

brother

sister

daughter

son

just like my family!

“Why should my hands

Be stained with blood

to satisfy ego-mad politicians!

“I’d rather kill myself

Meet my Maker

with hands clean

taste the turmoil

of victims of savagery

share and show their anguish

to ignite rebellion against injustice.”

I  recently read that Aaron's will states his ashes  should be preserved and buried in Free Palestine.

---

Meher Pestonji is a journalist, author and poet based in Mumbai.

Photos: Courtesy Instagram/Social Media