Commemorating a Meaningful Anniversary: Reflecting on Memories and Lessons

This week marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, a pivotal moment in wartime history when nuclear weapons were first utilized. In 1962, Trappist monk and social activist Thomas Merton wrote the prose poem Original Child Bomb, which translates a core essence of the Japanese atom. This powerful piece inspired the impactful 2004 documentary sharing its name. Merton referred to his piece as an “anti-poem,” containing 41 reflections on the bomb's inception and deployment. Notably, he highlighted mixed sentiments among President Truman's committee regarding the bomb's use, with some fearing its catastrophic implications. The aftermath was devastating, with immediate casualties and long-term suffering among many innocents. Merton argued that history transcends mere events; it demands accountability. The recent Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists warns of an unprecedented risk, stressing the need for immediate global action. As future generations rewrite history, the responsibility rests with them.