Yoko Ono's Plea For Peace

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

26 Nov 2006 07:40 AM

Good Morning! Have you had a chance to look at today's New York Times yet? Just a few pages in there's a full-page advertisement from Yoko Ono. Did you see it? At first glance I thought it was an ad about Yoko Ono, but upon further inspection I saw that it was in fact a message from the former Beatle's widow to readers worldwide pleading for peace.

More specifically Ono is calling for the anniversary of the death of her husband, John Lennon, to become a day of worldwide healing. In the very large ad, Ono urges readers to mark the anniversary by apologizing to those who have suffered because of violence and war.

"Every year, let's make December 8th the day to ask for forgiveness from those who suffered the insufferable," writes Lennon's widow, who signs the letter Yoko Ono Lennon.

In the ad Ono also urges readers to take responsibility for their actions, especially those who have failed to intervene on behalf of victims around the world.

And to the victims Ono writes this: "Know that the physical and mental abuse you have endured will have a lingering effect on our society. Know that the burden is ours."

Again, the entire ad was written and paid for by Ono to encourage people to make the anniversary of her husband's death (Lennon was gunned down on December 8, 1980 by Mark David Chapman who remains in New York's Attica state prison. His fourth request for parole was denied last month) a day of worldwide peace. Ono was with Lennon when he was shot on their way home from a recording studio that fateful December day.

Describing her own loss, Ono says: "I don't know if I am ready yet to forgive the one who pulled the trigger. ... But healing is what is urgently needed now in the world. Let's wish strongly that one day we will be able to say that we healed ourselves, and by healing ourselves, we healed the world."

I was a bit surprised that the traditionally reclusive Ono would pen such a letter and use the New York Times as a venue to make her plea. What do you think of her decision to pay for the full-page ad to get her message out?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Beth McHugh (13211) 26 Nov 2006 05:51 PM

I think it's a great idea, Michele! Anything that raises the power of forgiveness has got to be a good thing!

Michele Cheplic (37339) 27 Nov 2006 01:28 PM

Thanks Beth, I agree!