Assignment 9- Annie Varner

Assignment 9- Annie Varner

1st Hr AP Eng

War has no place in a world that seemingly promotes "peace" and "happiness" and "equality" for all.  Peaceful (but assertive) negotiation is needed today more than ever; we cannot continue to send our brothers and sisters overseas in attempt to defeat something that is simply unbeatable.  Hatred and bloodshed is what our troops are truly fighting, and they are often running in circles.

When I think of war, I think of all the music that's been made in its very light.  Therefore, I will take this journal entry as a means to express my admiration for the singer-songwriter and lyrical genius, John Lennon.  John Lennon was born during the calamitous era of World War II, possibly the grandest war in American history, and made his voice known as the founder of The Beatles.  His message was carried throughout his music and extended 10 years after the Beatles period into his solo career, Lennon's insight and brilliance particularly shining through in his famous Imagine.  The lyrics are as follows:
"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try
No hell below us, above us only sky
Imagine all the people, Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too"

These lyrics created a sort-of pacifist mindset in the lives of many during the post-war era, certainly as pop rock music grew and more and more artists were just beginning to influence the popular opinion.  This counterculture message voiced by John Lennon's Imagine has been one of the most prominent anti-war and anti-hate protest songs ever recorded.  His ideals are rooted in the concept that ultimate peace is manifested in the unity of all people in the whole world, and taking lessons from the eminent Cold and Vietnam Wars, Lennon gets his point across.  "Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too.. Imagine all the people, living life in peace..."  Imagine if our political leaders would take a lesson from good old John Lennon; maybe we could begin to unite under a key common characteristic-- humanity!!!!!!!