WAR

Emily Bishton

This album is my way of staring at the fact that throughout my lifetime,  the United States has continually been involved in wars, whether directly or indirectly, at home or abroad, with weapons, words, or laws.  I grew up during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights era, with a father that fought fascism in WWII.  I am very fortunate that both my parents knew and showed me that humans of all colors are the same inside, and that love conquers hate.

Right now, an infuriating and heartbreaking war of race- gender- economic- and class- based discrimination has purposefully been rekindled. The people who hold the flaming torches of this war are also trying to mislead us into distrusting our neighbors while ignoring their own lies, hate, cruelty, and profiteering. It's not a new story. Throughout history, people have been mislead into supporting one type of war machine after another, only to be turned into fodder for them.  The trauma inflicted reverberates around the world and through the generations.  

Though I only chose a few songs for this album that were originally written with an anti-war message, I feel that each song conveys a powerful truth about war-making:  its roots, its visible and invisible toll on us all, how it can blur our vision, and how it can be overcome.  My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the musicians who originally brought these songs to life... and to all the musicians who came together to make this album possible: it has been a heavy honor to bring it into the world with you.

The power of love and understanding can unite us with our neighbors - in this nation and in other lands - and make it possible to fill the world with equality and justice instead of war.

I feel it, and I believe it.