Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on Aug. 9, 2017.
The facility is used for nuclear weapons research.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
The very same August day 72 years ago, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.
The blast came just three days after the U.S. dropped the bomb on Hiroshima.
Once a bustling city, Nagasaki was transformed into rubble and ash. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
The victims of the two attacks, which prompted the bloody and devastating end of World War II, still live in the memories of the protesters in Livermore.
“We are here to stand with the survivors of that nuclear attack, but we are also here to stop the next nuclear war before it starts,” demonstrator Marylia Kelley told SF Gate.
[rebelmouse-image 19530457 dam="1" original_size="750x500" caption="Demonstrators stage a "die-in" to remind the public of the lives lost in nuclear warfare. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images." expand=1]Demonstrators stage a "die-in" to remind the public of the lives lost in nuclear warfare. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
More than seven decades have passed since the first use of nuclear warfare forever changed our world.
The protesters' message is simple: The horrific consequences of those weapons should never be forgotten.
The blast in Nagasaki, seen from about six miles away. Photo by Hiromichi Matsuda/Handout from Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum/Getty Images.
Estimates vary, but it's generally believed that at least 150,000 people in Hiroshima and 75,000 people in Nagasaki were killed in the blasts.
Those figures don't count the thousands more who died of illnesses related to radiation exposure in the months and years that followed.
A Japanese victim of the atomic explosion in Nagasaki. Photo courtesy of National Archives/Newsmakers.
Beyond the cost of human life, the physical destruction of both cities was unprecedented.
About 92% of Hiroshima's structures were either destroyed or damaged in the blast, according to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Bustling metropolitan areas became decimated wastelands.
The aftermath of the atomic attack on Nagasaki. Photo by AFP/Getty Images.
The black-and-white photos may be relics, but their stories — and the lessons we should learn from them — are just as relevant as ever.
The 72-year mark of the attack on Nagasaki comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un. Photo by STR/AFP/Getty Images.
North Korea's growing nuclear weapons program has sparked renewed fears among its neighbors and leaders in Washington that the country poses a threat to its East Asian adversaries — and potentially the U.S.
On Aug. 11, President Trump needlessly escalated tensions when he tweeted that the U.S. military is "locked and loaded" for battle against North Korea.
The tweet came days after he warned North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, that if the country continues making further threats against the U.S., "they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."
Trump's provocative language did nothing to calm tensions, of course. Kim quickly answered the president's threat with a threat of his own: a missile attack on the U.S. territory of Guam.
The contentious situation gave protesters at the Livermore lab a renewed sense of urgency to speak out boldly against the use of nuclear weapons.
“Trump’s statements are pushing us closer to the brink of a nuclear war,” said demonstrator Scott Yundt. The protest at Livermore is an annual event that Yundt has been attending for 12 years. But this year, he told SF Gate, feels different.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
“There’s a palpable and particular fear we are all feeling today," Yundt noted. "Conflict with North Korea and the United States is possible."
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
"I worry our president will press the nuclear button without the consent of the American people," Yundt said.
That's a big reason why demonstrators took to the streets this week.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
According to police, 48 demonstrators were arrested for trespassing during the peaceful protest, Patch reported. They were issued citations and released.
The anxieties exhibited by demonstrators are ones shared by many Americans as a bombastic, short-tempered president leads an administration with no unified strategy on smoothing an incredibly complex situation with North Korea.
"Just thinking about it despairs me," said demonstrator Barbara Milazzo.
Photo courtesy of the National Archives/Newsmakers.
Still, Americans shouldn't feel as though war is imminent.
The situation is a serious one, experts have near-unanimously concluded. But judging by a multitude of factors — including the messaging coming out of North Korea and the country's current capabilities — we're not on the brink of war (yet).
It still helps, however, to remember those lost 72 years ago and let their memories inspire us to speak up for peace as loudly as we can.
“This is the most we can do,” Milazzo noted. “We are using our voices to protest."
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.