A war is raging in every country on earth. The battles of this war spill out into our churches, our schools, and our homes. This war has been going on since the beginning of history as we know it. Although I was born onto the winning side and have enjoyed the spoils of this war, I have seen too much atrocity and injustice to sit idly on the sidelines. I can’t bear to watch my foes suffer death, defeat, mutilation, abuse, and injustice any longer. Like Braveheart, Dances with Wolves, and Luke Skywalker, I am ready to fight for the losing side to bring peace to our Universe–yet even these examples are tainted with the history written by the victors.
Here are some recent atrocities from this war chosen at random off the top of my head:
- Adam Lanza guns down his mother, 6 women teachers, and 12 little girls at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 19 of his 27 victims were female.
- 23 year old college student beaten and raped on bus in Southern part of New Delhi. Rapist include 5 male passengers and the bus driver.
- 7 year old girl raped in New Delhi at municipal school where she attended.
- Domestic violence is condoned in China as part of the culture. “If you don’t beat up your wife every three days, she’ll start tearing up the roof tiles” is an old Chinese saying.
- Female Genital Mutilation continues to be practiced in Africa and the Middle East despite rising human rights and health concerns.
- United States public officials make statements about “legitimate rape,” “forcible rape,” and rape as a blessing from God.
- A 31 year old pregnant woman dies in Ireland after being denied an abortion whilst undergoing a miscarriage.
Although some women escape the physical attacks, none are immune to the psychological damage this war perpetuates. Like Big Brother or the Matrix, the ideological apparatuses employed by the Patriarchy are ubiquitous and omnipotent. This is the battlefield I chose to serve on. I am devoting my thoughts, ideas, creativity, and posts to counter this patriarchal mindset. I ask for guidance and patience from my sisters. I urge my brothers to empathize with the victims, be the change within, and join arms against one of the longest worldwide injustices in the history of mankind humankind. I beg for forgiveness from God and all the victims I have trespassed against due to my male superiority complex.
Part of my quest for peace has to include creating peace between all men and women. A belief system that makes one group universally superior to another cannot provide the equality nor empathy required for peace. My first steps towards peace will be to re-think, deconstruct, and replace this patriarchal ideology.
Will you join me? Why or why not? Please share.
Thank you for reading, empathizing, and/or sharing.
Related articles
- ‘A silent war against women and children’: Vicious gang-rape and mutilation of teen sparks calls for action in rape-plagued South Africa (news.nationalpost.com)
- Misogyny and the Law: Confronting America’s Rape Culture (bigthink.com)
- Rape in #Syria (yallasouriya.wordpress.com)
- Thanks Ladies! (Rarasaur.wordpress.com)
everyday gurus 
Kozo you see so much further than most…and your heart reaches beyond the obvious. I thank you for asking those questions and for making us look deep within to try and see how to we could all be part of the solution. Whatever it would be I am joining in with you, as I believe it is a step we have to take, to make the world a better place
Anyes, Thank you so much for supporting this project. I know you want the world to be a better place for your dear son and daughter. As parents, I feel it is our duty to confront the injustices that will affect our children. I’m not sure what the solution is, but knowing that you are by my side makes the journey that much easier. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Anytime Kozo. I feel your pain and often wonder how to make the changes necessary to turn things around.
It’s just unbelievable some of the things humans to can do each other, and it’s amazing that so many people are stuck in the dark ages with regard to gender. It’s mind boggling to think that someone could actually think your gender makes you superior or inferior, just incredible.
Many ancient cultures were matriarchal and peaceful, others were egalitarian and gender neutral. Very few early cultures resembles the male brute force model that exists in so many places today.
The point is that we are people, there is no value assigned to you based on what genitalia you are born with. Entirely equal as humans, it just seems phenomenal to me that someone could believe anything other than that.
Thanks for posting Kozo, good work, hugs 🙂
Rohan.
I agree, Rohan, it is unbelievable how we discriminate based on gender. Truth be told, I was part of the problem until fairly recently. I did not consciously degrade women, but subconsciously I held sexist views that solidified into actions. It is so clear to me now how unjust this system is, but I was completely apathetic about it a few years ago. Thank you for being part of the solution. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Well said, Rohan. Well said!
I feel the pain of these atrocities more and more. Our world is so full of brutality and horror and the war against women is heartbreaking. We are living in a matrix, as you say, and we need to be conscious of what is happening. It is so important we speak out to bring awareness to these horrors. Thank you!
Thank you,Kartika, for being aware and wise. I honor your guidance and friendship. What gets me is how people fail to see the gender bias surrounding so much in our society. So yes, awareness is key. Let me know if you have any ideas on how we can bring more awareness. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
I think you are already helping to bring awareness into the world by speaking and writing about what you see. I also think that the more attention men put on helping to discover the feminine principal in nature and and in themselves and the more respect they give to this energy and to women, the more healing occurs.
Kozo, I sense your passion and your suffering in your post. The word Matrix caught my attention. At it’s source, matrix means “matrice” or womb. Patriarchy is a principle that does not recognize, and in the cases you mention attacks, the power of the feminine to be the womb of life. Women represent that creatrix power. Yet within men is also the feminine and this aggression against women is indeed an aggression against that within them. But they do not recognize this.
I believe that atrocities are committed out of a fundamental ignorance of our mutual origin (divine and cosmic) and our sense of separation versus union with all. Atrocities are committed human against human or human against other (animals, the earth). My focus of writing is to be the voice that helps elevate our consciousness so we can reflect on who we are essentially and universally, not just as a human being but more. We are more; we just don’t know it or embrace it.
In this post (http://wisdompartner.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/i-am-you-and-you-are-me/ ) I reflect on Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem, Call Me By My True Names. I submit this poem to you as an alternative approach to what we see in the world. Let’s join together to do battle, not like mortals, but like the divine creatures, the Spiritual Warriors, that we truly are.
Alicia,
Thank you so much for this sympathetic comment. I completely agree with you. I, too, believe that we are all one. Anyone who attacks, hurts, or kills another is breaking away from the Universal Oneness and attacking themselves. I, too, want to be a spiritual warriors and guide towards the divine oneness.
I love your post and Hanh’s poem. The poem reminds me of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” but more poignant if that makes sense. I thank you for your wisdom and support, and I look forward to walking this journey hand in hand with you. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
I love Walt Whitman’s poem too. We are in good company on the path Kozo. Blessings – and {{{Hugs}}}
😉
Very wise – you are expressing my own thoughts and feelings!
You know I’m with you. I have no patience for the violence. Though right now I am focused on the acts acted against me, by speaking out I hope to show that it doesn’t always take a fist to throw a punch.
To tell the truth, Melanie, I was thinking about you and a few of my other BBFs when I wrote this post. I feel like I had a part in what has happened to women across the world. I am no donkey, but I very well could have been,and I have watched donkeys do stupid things throughout my life with out protesting. I have hurt women with my sexist views and actions. I don’t think I would be a very good father if I did not try to change these injustices and educate my sons about their privilege.
Thank you for your courage and support. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
You could have been, but you weren’t. You were a bi-stander before, but not anymore. You did the best you could with what you knew, and now that you know more you are doing better. That’s all that can realistically be asked of a person. Thank you for your courage.
Kozo, as always I support your cause and this one is a great one. We are all members of the human race, and I don’t think it is possible to have true peace until all people can live their lives without fear or persecution. This is a worthy and large endeavor you are embarking on, but as you know, you are not walking alone. Your friends will be with you, at least this one will. 🙂
That means a lot to me, Jonathan. We need to recruit as many men as possible. I’ve noticed that even the Bloggers for Peace list consists of mostly female bloggers. Maybe men are too busy to work towards peace. I appreciate your compassion and dedication. Together we can walk an easy road to peace. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
My dear Kozo. This is a war and I love the fact that you (and Rohan and Jonathan) have crossed the floor and are standing on that invisible barrier with us. Australia has seen some actions that are scars on our society, but I believe justice has been served to those who committed these crimes. Rape is not tolerated in our society. Anita Cobby’s attackers were jailed with ‘never to be released’ on their files. Then nine men convicted of rapes in Sydney in 2000 were sentenced to a total of more than 240 years in jail. The judge described the rapes as events “you hear about or read about only in the context of wartime atrocities” and I’m very glad he made this statement because it brings home the savageness of what happens when one gender feels they have the right to abuse, use and degrade another.
I’m struggling to understand why US “public officials make statements about “legitimate rape,” “forcible rape,” and rape as a blessing from God.” For the apparent “Leader of the Western World” these statements are terrifying…
Oh, Dianne, I am so happy to hear that your nation is sending a clear message of what is tolerable in our world. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi, oi, oi.
Unfortunately, Australia is in the minority of nations that even recognize this injustice. In the US, most people think a patriarchy is a family tree from their father’s side. Not really, but it is not a very common topic of discussion. The public officials often make insensitive remarks about women especially when it comes to healthcare. Mind you these are officials making these statements in PUBLIC–in speeches and interviews. I can’t imagine what gets said behind closed doors. Actually, I can because I have heard my share of sexism in locker rooms, golf courses, and frat houses.
I think one of the reasons I am so passionate about this topic is that I, too, felt I had the right “to abuse, use, and degrade” women. I thank my wife for having the patience and fortitude to withstand those abuses and guide me towards an awareness of my deep-seated sexist views. I have hurt numerous women with my words and actions. As a father, I don’t want my sons to make the same mistakes I did, so I am trying to change the air that they grow up in.
Please feel free to offer any advice or insight into how to make this change. Love, Kozo
Such an important post~
Thank you, Cindy. Your comment strengthens my resolve to act on this injustice. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
keep going forward…my feet follow…hope there will be some pizza along the way. 🙂
love your work and vision, Kozo. ♥
We’re marching Hawaiian style–in the Sunshine, with slippers, and spam musubi. I’ll see if I can get some pizza as well. 🙂
Thanks, Sunshine. The journey is always brighter with a little sunshine. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
hee hee…after i left that comment, i thought, oh, no, i should have been more serious since your post is really an important issue. don’t mind me, sometimes i find humor in the wrong moment. but going Hawaiian sounds like the bomb. forget pizza. bring the luau. 🙂
I feel your passion behind these words, Kozo. It’s not too late for the world to change. It is however going to be a long haul to get there. Rape, domestic violence, things like this turn my stomach. You’d be shocked to find out just how many women I know or went to school with that were raped. The numbers are appalling.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, compassion, and helping spread awareness.
*hugs*
[…] The Invisible War (everydaygurus.com) […]
Thank you Kozo for such a heartfelt post rape is such a horrendous crime not only on the physical body but also the soul and heart.
I agree Athena, any violence against women affects all our souls and hearts. This is why I am trying to make a change. Thank you for your support. {{{Hugs]}}Kozo
❤
A kiss for a {{{Hug}}}, Sarah. 🙂
Totally join you, Kozo! Keep bringing our awareness to these important heartbreaking subjects, people’s minds must be involved!
Exactly, Sofia. So many people are not aware of these issues. We hear about injustice and tragedy, but we don’t look at it through the lens of gender. Thank you for joining in. I need your empathy and guidance. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
[…] The Invisible War. […]
Reblogged this on theINFP and commented:
We live in a civilised society?
I’m totally joining you. As I was reading your post, I wondered how can we really change this situation. Organization galore seem to be committed to helping this situation, yet it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. I am convinced that it is thought that needs to change. So the question is, how do we change thought?
Exactly, Ian. We need to change thoughts of MEN. With you and the other brave men who have joined me, we can beginning changing thoughts through blogging. I have some other projects on how to change these thoughts in the works. I will keep you informed. Thanks for being one of the few good men who are willing to step forward and change this injustice. {{{hugs}}} kozo
Always! Love is always more powerful than hatred, selfishness, ego. And it’s more fun too.
Agreed. Blogging about these issues can lead to awareness, then to social action. Thank you for writing!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I love your blog. I can’t wait to spend more time there and watch the TED talks. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
I’m there, My Brother! We MEN need to recognize that we debase ourselves when we denigrate and abuse women. I read something by Osho yesterday speaking of how men, especially, use women to satisfy their needs. We are blind to the fact that we stomp on the dignity of all humans when we act out our animal urges in that way, even if it seems, in the passion of the moment, that the woman is consenting.
We will rise to a higher form of Humanity when we desire the most sublime enjoyment of each other, which can only be in freely giving to each other. This can only happen when each of us is free of the sense of neediness, free of that desperation. Our deepest desire is to blossom like the flower and to share our perfume with the world. When we begin to embody such depth of presence then violence in thought, word or action fall away and we celebrate each others uniqueness and inner beauty instead.
Oh, Tomas, you are such a wonderful ally. I am honored to have male friends like you. Your words struck a deep chord in me. I have been needy and desperate before, so I am trying to spend my time freely giving to others, especially women. I feel like the world hardens men’s hearts and robs us of our empathy. I don’t want my sons to grow up like I did. I want them to share their “perfume with the world.” With your help, I know we can make a difference. Thank you for your love and support. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
♥ ☼ ♥
Bravo men! I’m with you 100% in spirit and action. Tomas, I agree with Osho’s assessment. I’m sure neediness and desperation are not attractive qualities for either men or women, there’s no dignity or loving mutual passion shared, nor the flowering of our deepest and ultimate potential as pure beings. Nice post Kozo, lead the way! 😀 ♥
Dear Kozo, Well done! I am so happy that you write so passionately. I am a survivor of DM. I recently posted a poem entitled ‘The great escape’ and it is my invisible war in action. I made the choice 2 decades ago. Bravo! You can count on me. 🙂
Thank you, Shashi, for being a survivor. I’m so glad you told your story through this beautiful poem. There has been too much silence about this war. Let’s make sure that our children don’t have to experience what you went through. {{{Hugs]}} kozo
Thanks for replying. You can count on me, I’m in. 🙂
[…] Gurus 1 2 3 4 5 (sometimes Kozo’s writing moves me to tears, no […]
[…] couple of days ago, I read a blog post about this very topic over at Everyday Gurus. The writer ends the blog by asking everyone if they will join in fighting the war for peace […]
[…] couple of days ago, I read a blog post about this very topic over at Everyday Gurus. The writer ends the blog by asking people if they will join in fighting the war for peace between […]
Kozo,
I am with you on this one.
Le Clown
Thanks, Le Clown. You are a good man. A funny good man which makes you that much better. {{{hugs}}} Kozo