Garry Davis

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“‘War persists because nations persist,’ Mr. Davis said, ‘and the only way to world peace was world government’” (Unmacht). Many people believe the world should exist in peace, but believing without action is not enough to fix humanity. Fortunately, a World War II veteran decided something had to change. In 1943, a bomber pilot named Garry Davis was filled with sorrow and regret after taking the lives of many innocent people during World War II. Davis and his brother joined the military during the war, supporting the United States. His brother died about a month after joining. Affected by his death, Davis came to realize that in order to remove conflict, there would have to be no borders. He quit his job and proceeded to create the World Government of World Citizens, meant to educate people on the importance of peace. For someone to have left their job for what was right is a step many heroes must take. Garry Davis’s actions and thoughts are exemplified by his empathy and determination to create a better world.

Traumatized by the death of his brother and the lives of innocent people, he perceived the world differently, becoming more empathetic. Davis contemplated his experiences: "How many bombs had I dropped? How many men, women and children had I murdered? Wasn't there another way, I kept asking myself” (McCarthy, “Davis forged path”). Davis’s actions were followed by a wave of regret. Out of all the solutions available, he wondered why the most destructive one had to be done. Afterwards, he decided to figure out a solution to achieving peace: “In 1953, he founded the World Service Authority, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that has issued more than a half-million World Passports to refugees and others in the world's homeless population” (McCarthy, “Leaders in Nonviolence”). Davis’s empathy for others made him want to help them. Creating this organization spread the belief that bloodshed and war are not necessary to solve conflicts. The World Service Authority is non-profit, further supporting his values. Davis’s empathy was one of the main parts of his identity that define a leader.

Although many obstacles blocked Davis’s goal, he fought through them with determination. He never stopped thriving to achieve his plan: “By one government or another, he would be arrested and jailed more than 20 times for being undocumented, not to mention unwelcomed. Among those taking notice was Eleanor Roosevelt, easily the most politically progressive of the nation's first ladies. Instead of giving speeches promoting world citizenship, she said in her newspaper column in December 1948, ‘how very much better it would be if Mr. Davis would set up his own governmental organization and start then and there a worldwide international government.’" (McCarthy, “Davis forged path”) Getting arrested 20 times never stopped Davis. Support from thousands of people, including one of the nation’s first ladies boosted his mentality and values for a better world. Later on this proved to be true: “In 1948 at the American embassy in Paris, the former B-17 bomber pilot renounced his U.S. citizenship and declared himself a world citizen. The well-publicized event caused a furor at home. The 27-year-old dissident, son of the famed society bandleader Meyer Davis, was seen as a harmless loony or a self-hating American consumed by bomber pilot guilt” (McCarthy, “Leaders in Nonviolence”). Having the determination to go after something that seemed almost impossible was Davis’s plan. He has renounced his citizenship, and quit his job, clearly proving his willingness. As long as he believed it was right, he never stopped trying to achieve it. Davis’s determination to achieve peace is an important factor for bringing the world one step closer to peace.

Garry Davis’s mindset, being filled with empathy and determination, rebuilt the lives of millions and influenced others to never give up. His empathy was the idea of a great world, and his determination made it happen. “He did exactly that, creating the World Government of World Citizens. Its administrative office, the World Service Authority a nonprofit based in Washington and few blocks from the White House, began issuing passports to refugees, deportees and others among the teeming unwanted and unpapered. By last count, nearly 1 million people are registered and more than 500,000 carry WSA passports granted for modest fees well below what governments demand”(McCarthy, “Davis forged path”). Garry Davis has personally inspired me to strive for what I believe is right, and that empathy for others can make a difference. Nations are what cause war, and without nations, the world would finally meet peace.

Works Cited

McCarthy, Colman. "Davis forged the path of world citizenship." National Catholic Reporter, 27 Sept. 2013, p. 20. Student Resources In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A346531731/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=34055cff. Accessed 7 Dec. 2018

McCarthy, Colman. "Leaders in nonviolence." National Catholic Reporter, 9 Feb. 2001, p. 16. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A70926900/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=738642ad. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018

Unmacht, Eric. "'Global citizen' Garry Davis; A. Mankoff of Hendersonville, N.C., asks, 'Whatever happened to...?'." Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 1999, p. 23. Student Resources In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A56978268/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=4aba95ed. Accessed 12 Dec. 2018.