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Written by
Rachel Eagle Reiter
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I don't believe in using weapons of war. If I were ever drafted, I would plead pacifism. Perhaps, worse than being required to pick up a gun, would be the procedure of having my locks cut off. My hair is sacred to me; it's what I call my femininfluence.
Pacifists are not really passive; they are quite active (or else they should be). If you are a kind of passive pacifist, I hope to have turned you into an active pacifist by the time you are through reading--but only if you stay with me until you reach the end of my ink.
Non-violent people are mistaken to be without anger and aggression. It is true that it is wiser to be slow to anger, but pacifists experience the same human emotions as every one else. Those emotions are to be channeled in non-violent ways.
The question remains--which craft--is your weapon of war. If you choose the spilling of ink--as I hope that you do...being that I am a writer, so I naturally look favorable upon other writers who have chosen words instead spears and who drop essays instead of bombs.
I will not be partial to the pen by pretending that writing is the only form of which-craft. Painters, actors, dancers, musicians...and I am almost certain that I am leaving out valuable forms of art, so I deeply apologize and urge you to forgive me if I have left out your form of which-craft...
Which craft is your witchcraft? In other words, which craft leaves its audience spellbound? Art (and by art, I am referring to all artistic forms of expression) is needed in a time of war--art that promotes peace, even in the midst of violence, has the power to change the ways of the world.
Discover which craft is going to be your witchcraft. Use your craft for the power of the greater good, to benefit human kind. Words are more powerful than weapons of war, but I would say the same for paint, too...and clay...and yarn...and piano keys...
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