Wieste (Vic) Ratsma, Axis of Logic Columnist

 

Axis of Logic Columnist, Wieste (Vic) Ratsma died early this morning of cancer in a Nova Scotia, Canada where he lived since 1959. He was a lifelong political activist, antiwar organizer, poet and essayist, husband, father, son and friend.

I first became acquainted with Vic when he submitted his poetry to Axis of Logic in June, 2003. Through regular correspondence and many telephone conversations during the past year and a half, Vic has became a close friend, confidant and colleague in the international effort to promote peace, end war and stop U.S. aggression, imperialism and colonization abroad. In addition to writing as an Axis of Logic Columnist, his work has been published in English and Dutch in progressive internet and print media throughout the world, including DeWaarheid Nuvolkseditie Voor Nederland and DeWaarheid messages

Wieste, or "Vic" as he asked us to call him, was born in The Netherlands in 1934. For a number of years, he was active in the Labour Movement and graduated from the University-Labour program at the University of Manitoba. He was a member of the New Democratic Party and ran for political office twice.

In 1975 he joined a friendship organization actively involved in peace activities and promoting positive relations between Canada and the Soviet Union. Under often trying circumstances he was a leader in developing cultural and professional exchanges between Canadians and visiting Soviet people. This association organized many concerts, exhibits and direct personal contacts between professionals, such as doctors, teachers, labour, librarians, broadcasters, etc. Every two years they signed a Protocol of Agreement in which both parties (the Canada-USSR Association and the Soviet Friendship Society) committed themselves to certain activities on behalf of one another.

The organization continues it’s work today, although it fell on hard times with the demise of the Soviet Union, and is currently located in Toronto. It is now known as the Canadian Association for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People. Today, the organization continues its contacts with people in the former USSR who want to rebuild socialism in their country. Vic wrote to me about his work with the organization in June, 2003:

"It is my hope that socialists and communists in the former USSR will find a way to avoid the mistakes of the past and build a real socialist society, however difficult that may be."

In one example of his work for this organization, Vic wrote to the Weekly Worker:

"On behalf of the executive committee, I am writing you to advise you of the formation of this new organisation, the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with Soviet People, which was formed at a world conference in the city of Toronto, Canada in September of 2001.

"Its aims, as adopted at the conference are to stimulate and coordinate on a world scale common lines of action in order to help the peoples of the USSR in the resurrection of socialism and also the Soviet Union; to try and raise resources as needed in order to support these aims, and also to help the people of the USSR not only morally, but also with all the help deemed necessary.

"We are hopeful that this information is of interest to you and you join with us in building a strong international movement of support for the Soviet people.

- W.V. Ratsma
Toronto

In May of this year, Vic traveled to Holland to visit friends and family, including his 98 year old mother.  He became sick during his visit there and when he returned home, his condition became worse. During the last few weeks I have watched Vic taking care of his family and friends to help prepare us for his absence. His selflessness and courage in these closing days of his life fits the man as I have been blessed to know. His grace during the last few weeks also fits his work and compassion for all sentient beings. I have come to love the man as a friend and colleague and while deeply saddened, I know that I am richly blessed to have known him at all.

Vic spoke to me by telephone from his hospital bed a week or so ago. He told me that he had "truly accepted" his terminal disease. He said he was grateful for the years he had been given and the work he had been able to do throughout his life. He said his recent suffering could never be compared to the human suffering wrought by capitalism throughout the world and lamented the suffering of others. I told him that we would carry on the work to which he had committed his entire life.  Even from his hospital bed, Vic said that he could no longer write, but agreed to continue to work through telephone interviews as long as he was able. On November 15, we received word from his family that he had requested to have his IV removed. He died early this morning at 4:52 a.m.  W.V. Ratsma was an intelligent, caring, gentle man. We express our deepest sympathy and wish comfort and much inner peace to each member of his family.

Vic’s last written gift to the world through Axis of Logic was a poem he wrote, Voices from the Dead. We include this poem below, followed by links to his other essays and articles.

By Wieste (Vic) Ratsma 

Voices from The Dead