It is always impressive to watch all sorts of parades, veterans with dangling medals, impeccable uniforms, synchronised marches under the “arches”, sometimes drummers keeping the rhythm and giving a somber air to the processions. Year after year - marches, big words, useless speeches, wasted money on all sorts of symbols.
And yet, the world is getting darker, the wars multiply, civilians are being targeted with such brutality only humans can inflict on another human. The pressure for a uniformed opinion is overwhelming and speaks volumes about the times we are living in. What I know is that my uncle who fought against the Natzis in the Second World War, many members of my family who had their villages burned to the ground, were killed, some endured hunger, witnessed atrocities would say … nope don t march in my name.…. Go and find ways to end the wars, close the w@eapons industry, speak up and defend the innocent … and yes drink a glass of vodka and smoke a cigarette ….. in my name!
I have the privilege of coming from an ex Communist country where censorship was part of the daily life but I cannot say I felt it dramatically. We all knew what we knew and able to have a life. Guess what! We were even able to express our true feelings in small circles, laugh about the stupidity of the ones in power and concentrate on … life. Politically, the decisions at the time were quite bold, supporting causes completely neglected by the Western world. So trust me it was not all black. Yes, indoctrination was part of the daily life but again ….guess what … the same happened in the Western hemisphere. The same and even more.
What we see now, unfolding in front of our eyes in the Middle East and worldwide has its roots in the past, not that distant past. How many people take the time to read about that past, how many people care, how many people are prepared to have the less popular opinion, how many people are prepared to listen to both sides, how many people are prepared to say … Really? Is that the truth? Why should I believe you? What if? …
And actually, instead of practicing some critical thinking, they go to the fridge, get another beer, a bag of popcorn, click the remote control and watch people dying, in pain - LIVE. Voyeurism ……something we’ve been trained to apply day in and day out, something we are craving every day …
It is my opinion that the computer war games desensitised generations….. killing on the computer screen is so normal, watching other people kill … on another screen … what’s the difference?
I would like to believe things are moving in the right direction but the virus of war is somehow faster than the antidote of peace.
And yet, I have to say change is happening - more voices are prepared to raise their heads and walk against the current.
It is a start! Is it?