I realize it's been a long time since I've posted, but I just wanted to put this moving, worthwhile quote somewhere I could easily find it later.
This 4th of July has really tested a lot of what I feel about the concepts of patriotism and nationalism. I'm going to quote my wonderful boyfriend here, and say that I think there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Whereas nationalism is like a child's relationship with his or her parents, blind devotion, patriotism is something chosen, like a mature adult relationship. I respect the idea that we can grow into a relationship with our country much more than the idea that we are born and bread to just "love" America.
I hate the idea that we whoop and holler and celebrate the gruesome and vicious deaths of so many English kids. You know, we love Mr. Darcy, but god forbid we think that young men just like him we're going out to those front lines and getting their arms, and legs, eyes, lips, or hands blown off. That's not dehumanizing our enemy to a point that's comfortable, and therefore, we don't do it. Instead, we watch movies like the patriot and scream with excitement when our men are blowing up more of them than they are of us. It's a little bit crazy. That's why I LOVE the book The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins wrote this book as a commentary on children and violence in the modern era, but it's also a sound commentary on dehumanization and desensitization. In the book, children are forced to battle in an arena until only one child is left alive. In both a horrifying and poetic way, Collins discusses what it means to become so detached from violence that we do something that is considered universally horrible - watch our children torture and kill one another. They cheer the children on, placing bets on which one will come out first. Much like today, we can watch movies like The Patriot, and cheer and celebrate when we see the Americans killing more English than English killing Americans.
So, I would like to post this, which I also received from my wonderful boyfriend. It is part of the Tao Te Ching.
"Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?
He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral."
