A writer must “know and have an ever-present consciousness that this world is a world of fools and rogues… tormented with envy, consumed with vanity; selfish, false, cruel, cursed with illusions… He should free himself of all doctrines, theories, etiquettes, politics…” —Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?). “The nobility of the writer's occupation lies in resisting oppression, thus in accepting isolation” —Albert Camus (1913-1960). “What are you gonna do” —Bertha Brown (1895-1987).
There is no morality in war. It is impossible to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. There is no morality in cluster or obliteration bombing. There is no sufficient justification for murdering innocent children and others. Nothing will compensate for the intentional wanton destruction of innocent people's property and lives. The indiscriminate slaughter of Syrian children is an act of terrorism.
The number of times I've gone over in my mind the rationale behind objections to an ironic display for kindness week is probably worthy of paying a professional for analysis. Was it my youth, naivety, or a sheltered life that had me react in such an emotional manner? Or was it an unwillingness to see evil and only good intentions, however shallow and meaningless? This blindness at best provides a false sense of righteousness and at worst allows for apathy, and thereby culpability for cruelty and horror inflicted on other humans. I still wrestle with my heart and gut and head constantly asking "Have I done enough?", and trying to make peace with the fact that the answer will always be "not yet". Because looking at those images... Those children's faces are my babies, and the faces of the elderly are my grandparents, and the women are my sisters, and the men my brothers. So how can locker decorations and self motivation posters be adequate in expressions of kindness. It is not enough, but it is a start and that is battle won no matter how little, to connect people together in a spirit of amenity. It is but a baby step, a half step, in a journey of humans loving one another as true family. Till then it'll won't be enough but I will try to continue to keep my heart soft no matter how many times it broken and offer it to those who need it. Thank you for being the one who stretched my thinking and feeling in the most critical and yet gentle manner. With hugs and love, Jess
from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
ReplyDelete"...Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment..." (December 10, 1948).
There is no morality in war. It is impossible to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. There is no morality in cluster or obliteration bombing. There is no sufficient justification for murdering innocent children and others. Nothing will compensate for the intentional wanton destruction of innocent people's property and lives. The indiscriminate slaughter of Syrian children is an act of terrorism.
ReplyDeleteThe number of times I've gone over in my mind the rationale behind objections to an ironic display for kindness week is probably worthy of paying a professional for analysis. Was it my youth, naivety, or a sheltered life that had me react in such an emotional manner? Or was it an unwillingness to see evil and only good intentions, however shallow and meaningless? This blindness at best provides a false sense of righteousness and at worst allows for apathy, and thereby culpability for cruelty and horror inflicted on other humans. I still wrestle with my heart and gut and head constantly asking "Have I done enough?", and trying to make peace with the fact that the answer will always be "not yet". Because looking at those images...
ReplyDeleteThose children's faces are my babies, and the faces of the elderly are my grandparents, and the women are my sisters, and the men my brothers. So how can locker decorations and self motivation posters be adequate in expressions of kindness. It is not enough, but it is a start and that is battle won no matter how little, to connect people together in a spirit of amenity. It is but a baby step, a half step, in a journey of humans loving one another as true family. Till then it'll won't be enough but I will try to continue to keep my heart soft no matter how many times it broken and offer it to those who need it. Thank you for being the one who stretched my thinking and feeling in the most critical and yet gentle manner. With hugs and love, Jess