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21 de Enero, 2007
W for War
Categorized under Arte , Guerra , Iraq the Casbah | Tags: fotoshop
I OWE AN APOLOGY TO THE WORLD. The Iraq War is, in fact, my fault.
Born in '69; growing up traveling about and in communal homes for many years; hearing so much Beatles and many other 70s groups; reading and hearing about the righteous students and protestors of the past and longing, always longing to return. My mother grew my hair long, and I grew it that way for a long time, too. 
I was photographed for a calender in my community college that showed diferent styles of student each month (I was the "hippie" style), and didn't even listen to any "new" rock until I was 19 (the first was GNR, a very 70s-influenced band)—even my aunt said she thought I was born in the wrong time.
Eventually, I shaved my head and changed my style. It all happened around the time I went to a Woodstock reunion (25th?) and realized the 70s were dead, dead, dead. I was so disenchanted that day. Disgusted. I looked around and saw nothing but kids getting wasted and sporting the superficial trappings of an era I held dear to my heart. It was never the same after that.
But for so long, I would lament the fact that I had missed out on the time of the Vietnam war. Little did I know, as a younger man, that history repeats. And especially if you insist on making all the same mistakes.
(Speaking of Bush's Idol—)
SO, let me sum up by saying I was foolish. I can admit it. I was only thinking of the solidarity and communidad the People showed in response to such a great Wrong. But even that isn't what I thought it would be. Maybe I was just thinking of Jim Morrison and Bob Dylan and Jefferson Airplane. But bands like this—or anti-war fire like this—are nowhere to be heard now. I don't know exactly all that I was longing for. But I know that no matter what, I wasn't really thinking how it would feel to watch your own land of birth bomb to hell thousands and thousands of innocent humans, and intractably and stubbornly continue down a road to Hell while trumpeting delusion wrapped in patriotic jargon. I wasn't thinking of how bad it would hurt just to be alive and watch such insanity unfold for years, and to be powerless in the face of that. And now that we are here—again—in a horrifically destructive and unjust war, watching so much blood flow as our "leaders" remain blind to what is good and what is Right and their own mistakes, well....I realize more than you can know how stupid I was to long for the days of Vietnam. And for this horrible crime being committed now, I hope you can forgive me. I was wrong.
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Comentarios (5)
luisa dijo:
I've longed vietnam before. the civil rights movement mostly. resistance is beautiful and, when it isn't there, horrible things are still happening all over the world. the difference is, when we are not revolting or resisiting, we are losing. and losing quietly at that. Thousands of people are dieing in Iraq but, when you think about it, millions are dieing in Africa and elsewhere--the U.S. aids this. Iraq just happens to be the most publicized of out evils but they have been in constant flow since 1492...
They are making a hollywodd film about the battle of seattle. many people were hurt in those few days but i still wish i had been there. great activism...
p.s. awww. teen nezzy was cute. :)
Palabras por luisa spat forth on el 22 de Enero, 2007 at 02:42 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:
yeah...i agree with the resistance comment. that's sort of what i was implying, too. it sure ain't what i thought it would be...but then again, i guess we are all more desensitized, mebbe.
i dont just think its that iraq is the most publicized, tho you are right about africa being hidden from our sight. i also think part of it is that iraq is such a clear example of something we are not just passively responsible for, but shockingly and awesomely actively responsible for. I def think we ought to tend to everything we can. But in the meanwhile, even if not, certainly not start wars that kill (not only thousands but) hundreds of thousands of people.
Teen Nezzy was...quite a character. tanks, luisa. :D
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 22 de Enero, 2007 at 02:50 PM
brownfemipower dijo:
sigh--I wonder how many of us got that bug as kids? I grew up in the 70's too--peace love dope baby. how could you get more riteous than that? but I like where we're going now--I like that it's woc that are leading the hell out riteous liberation. because for me, the 70's for all it's riteousness, is also steeped in hardline mexican papi love--silence, "good girl", and more silence is the 70's for me--men, *brown* men, speaking over women, ignoring women, silencing women.
I love the shit out of this millinium--commendante marcos watching, listening, loving women who liberate themselves, their communities. THAT is riteous--when we're loving each other and helping each other and loving each other through liberation--
for me, that kinda love wasn't there in the 70's--we still hated ourselves too much.
Palabras por brownfemipower spat forth on el 22 de Enero, 2007 at 04:51 PM
brownfemipower dijo:
ps. luisa, whatchew talkin' about girl??? our little man was HAWT! and what's that? a gun's n roses shirt??? dude, you so totally got me.
Palabras por brownfemipower spat forth on el 22 de Enero, 2007 at 04:55 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:
but I like where we're going now--I like that it's woc that are leading the hell out riteous liberation. ... I love the shit out of this millinium--commendante marcos watching, listening, loving women who liberate themselves, their communities.
right on, bfp. good point. :) there's more than one reason to be glad we're right where we are.
and on the rest, well. GNR! jeje! lordy. the days!
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 22 de Enero, 2007 at 05:00 PM