Imagine if the Taliban government was to bomb New York City, saying all the while that its real target was the US government and its policies. And suppose, during breaks between the bombing, the Taliban dropped a few thousand packets containing nan and kababs impaled on an Afghan flag. Would the good people of New York ever find it in themselves to forgive the Afghan government? Even if they were hungry, even if they needed the food, even if they ate it, how would they ever forget the insult, the condescension?
Once violence is accepted as a legitimate political instrument, then the morality and political acceptability of terrorists (insurgents or freedom fighters) becomes contentious, bumpy terrain.
As the first year of the new millennium rushes to a close, one wonders - have we forfeited our right to dream? Will we ever be able to re-imagine beauty?
First published almost 7 years ago today, the writing remains as cogent and important today as at the time of the original writing. Please take time to read the entire post. Your time will be well spent.
Peace.
Join Email List
Posts
![[PDA - Pledge For Peace - Sign the Petition.]](http://pdamerica.org/images/ads/P4P_button.jpg)
4 comments:
This piece was first brought to my attention by a plagiarist who stole credit for the writing. This time the original author is given proper credit.
The lengthy piece bears rereading and pondering over the course of time. There is much to consider in the basic idea. How would Americans react if we were attacked the way Afghanis were so long ago? Would we sit idly by and let our nation be ruled by outside military force? Or would we fight back?
The question deserves attention. Let us all put ourselves in the place of others around the world for a moment. Maybe that action will move our hearts and minds to a new plane of thought.
Peace.
thank you, Jerry, for reposting with proper attribution.
How would Americans react if we were attacked the way Afghanis were so long ago?
an excellent question. I have asked myself this many times, from the perspective of how I'd feel if Afghanistan or Iraq invaded and occupied America.
I think asking this is essential, even though I have no specific answers. it's a good way to cut through the myopia and rather selfish belief that because we are Americans, we have some sort of right to aggression. I think that because we are Americans, we must resolve to do better.
Alexa,
I ask often in public the question, "How would you feel?" Many people cannot find words to respond. Some blow off the question without a real thought in their heads.
In my mind the more people are challenged to put themselves in the place of other human beings the more likely humanitarian solutions are to be found. We are after all first and foremost human.
Peace, Jerry
Post a Comment