The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: [encore] 1107: Accessory to War by Kim Stafford
Host: Major Jackson
Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction and Personal Reflection

In this encore episode of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Major Jackson revisits his own narrative, offering listeners a profound glimpse into his journey and the motivations that shaped his perspectives. Opening at 00:30, Jackson shares a deeply personal story about the financial strains he faced after his first year of college. Faced with mounting debt, he contemplated enlisting in the military as a means to alleviate his financial burdens.

"After my first year of college, I sat on a mountain of debt. I decided to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, better known as the ASVAB," Major Jackson recounts (00:30). This decision was influenced not by a traditional sense of duty, as seen in the men before him, but rather by practical necessity. The persistent calls from military recruiters, especially his local army recruiter, created a sense of urgency and pressure. Jackson describes how, for nearly a month, the recruiter’s daily calls became a constant presence in his life, persistently outlining the benefits of enlisting.

Despite finding some enjoyment in conversations with the recruiter, Jackson ultimately resisted commitment. A pivotal moment occurred when the recruiter’s chief commander intervened, questioning whether the recruiter had fully disclosed the benefits and ensuring that no offensive remarks had been made. The commander’s direct approach and assumption that Jackson would enlist someday left a lasting impact: "You're not signing up now, but someday you will. You need us. I know your type. You're poor and smart. You don't have many options." (02:10).

Journey Towards Nonviolence

Jackson’s narrative takes a significant turn as he delves into his studies during a college course on the history of slavery and abolitionism. His exploration of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, and their staunch commitment to nonviolence profoundly influenced his worldview. Attending meetings in Old City Philadelphia and engaging with members of the American Friends Service Committee, Jackson found himself drawn to a vision of peace and rejection of the tools of war.

"I valued the work of folks I knew in the American Friends Service Committee and their commitment to nonviolence. I wanted to be associated with people who sought to promote peace, whose vision of a world meant the absence of the tools of war," he reflects (04:15). This internal conflict between financial necessity and moral conviction forms the backbone of his introduction to the poem.

Presentation of Kim Stafford's "Accessory to War"

Transitioning from his personal story, Major Jackson introduces and reads Kim Stafford’s poignant poem, "Accessory to War." The poem serves as a powerful medium through which Jackson articulates the indirect yet profound ways in which ordinary citizens are implicated in acts of war through mechanisms like taxation.

Poem Excerpt:

"Reading the news
I learned my taxes bought
one rivet on the shoulder
of a bomb that fell on a family,
my rivet flung free as
shrapnel whistling through the room
to blind a child."
— "Accessory to War" by Kim Stafford

Through vivid imagery, Stafford highlights the unsettling reality that mundane aspects of daily life, such as paying taxes, can have deadly consequences in the context of war. The metaphor of the "rivet" emphasizes how individual contributions, though seemingly minor, collectively enable large-scale acts of violence.

Themes and Reflections

Major Jackson uses both his personal narrative and Stafford’s poem to explore themes of complicity, moral responsibility, and the unintended consequences of societal structures. He contemplates the idea that even those who strive to live peacefully and avoid direct involvement in aggression are, in some way, "accessories to war" through their participation in systems that support it.

"So her brother, clawing through smoke and rubble, vowed revenge in all directions, his life for retaliation," reads Stafford, encapsulating the cyclical nature of violence and retaliation (05:45). Jackson reflects on how war dehumanizes enemies, making mutual destruction appear as a necessary outcome.

The episode culminates in a somber acknowledgment of the responsibilities that come with citizenship and the pervasive impact of national policies on individual lives. Jackson’s reflections encourage listeners to consider their own roles and the often unseen connections between personal actions and broader societal consequences.

Conclusion

This encore episode of The Slowdown masterfully intertwines Major Jackson’s heartfelt personal experiences with the evocative poetry of Kim Stafford to deliver a compelling meditation on war, peace, and individual agency. By sharing his internal conflicts and juxtaposing them with the themes of "Accessory to War," Jackson invites listeners to engage in deep reflection about their place in the world's complex tapestry of action and consequence.

Notable Quotes:

• "After my first year of college, I sat on a mountain of debt. I decided to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, better known as the ASVAB." (00:30)

• "You're not signing up now, but someday you will. You need us. I know your type. You're poor and smart. You don't have many options." (02:10)

• "I valued the work of folks I knew in the American Friends Service Committee and their commitment to nonviolence. I wanted to be associated with people who sought to promote peace, whose vision of a world meant the absence of the tools of war." (04:15)

• "Reading the news
  I learned my taxes bought
  one rivet on the shoulder
  of a bomb that fell on a family,
  my rivet flung free as
  shrapnel whistling through the room
  to blind a child." — "Accessory to War" by Kim Stafford (05:00)

• "So her brother, clawing through smoke and rubble, vowed revenge in all directions, his life for retaliation," (05:45)

This episode serves as a profound reminder of the interconnectedness of personal choices and global events, encouraging listeners to pause, reflect, and find their own pathways towards understanding and peace.