Nancy's current story sent me back to reread one or two of my own, which is an odd feeling. It was brought about by one of my male colleagues, who wanted to read some of my stuff. That brought back my thoughts as I wrote it, and I went looking for some of my memories on the net.
One image that stood out in my mind as I wrote it was of a young woman, on a rope. The image is here, and it is not pleasant, so only click if you have to.
http://bosniagenocide.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/why-did-bosni...
Neither is this link, though it is less obviously shocking at first glance.
http://bosniagenocide.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/cerska-mas...
That brought to mind the recent Guardian article on gay rights worldwide, which has a photo I consider horrific. The article is very good, but the picture left me in tears.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/13/gay-rights-world...
I came across far worse images in my search, but do not feel the need to share. What is the point of this blog post? Simply to point out that while Nancy's story (and Sue's parallel universe one) refer to what some folk now think of as the distant past, this sort of thing still goes on. Sorry, people, on a bit of a downer.
Comments
In general ...
... revisiting ones former creations can be revealing. I used to edit various club (motor cycle, cycle and sailing) magazines in the past and came across a couple a few weeks ago. I had no recollection of having written any of it which is frightening in itself.
Of course, none of what I'd written was in any way comparable to the anguish (and love) revealed in any of your stories but I'm under no illusions that the world is a perfect place. I do know it's probably a much better one for me than it could have been if Sue's story had turned out to be what had happened in reality. Not the distant past BTW ... my past - I was around at the time and I'm not dead quite yet (probably not long to go, however). I also know the UK is socially a much better place to live than it was in the deferential 1950s.
All is not lost. All we can do is our bit and your stories are part of your bit. You should be proud of your achievements. You write about things outside my own experience which is why I rarely feel qualified to do more than click the 'Good Story' button. I'm still reading though.
Robi
Borrowed Response
"The commonly used expression, "Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it" is actually a mis-quotation of the original text written by George Santayana, who, in his Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1, wrote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Rooted in the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and many others to follow, his biography (1863-1952) and more contemporary intepretations and observations about man and life can be found at Wikipedia by searching for George Santayana. Stanford University online also provides an outstanding and much more detailed background on this important and profound philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist.
Santayana's quotation, in turn, was a slight modification of an Edmund Burke (1729-1797) statement, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." Burke was a British Statesman and Philosopher who is generally viewed as the philosophical founder of modern political conservatism."
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_said_Those_who_ignore_history_...
The above is something I cannot take credit for, but reflects the point cyclist is making in a round about way and why my story has some relevance. You see, the people who followed Hitler into the abyss, loyally served Stalin, carried out Pol Pots orders and hailed Saddam Hussain as a great leader were not monsters with blood dripping from fangs or psychopaths. They were people no different than those you pass in the street, go to work with, meet at school gatherings and elect as you local, state and national leaders. They are you, they are me.
I had a conversation with someone who is serving as first reader to my story 'On the Other Side of the Wire.' In a painfully candid moment we both confessed to things neither of us are particularly proud of, but did because at the time they were deemed to be necessary or expedient. Placed back in the same situation, I have little doubt I would do so again. Over the years I was present at the birth of my three children, all who are now successful adults. I cried at their births and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy their sweet innocence as they grew up. And yet I never hesitated to execute my assigned duties in a manner expected of me. It was my duty, you see.
So do be so kind as to spare me any smugness over the idea that we humans are any better then the people who lived in Germany in the 1930s, or Russia in the '40s and '50s, or Cambodia in the '70s, Rwanda and Bosnia in the '90s or Darfur today. We are, and I expect alway will be but one generation from losing the thin veneer called civilization that separates us from the other animals.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Condemned to relive our past
My X was in Bosnia doing medical relief during the hostilities there with NW Medical Teams. She said that she saw mass graves and body parts and people living in an old factory under the most horrendous conditions. After she'd been gone for two weeks, she called on a Sat. Phone, and when I heard her voice, I began to weep uncontrollably and she did the same. We can not take on the pain of the world, we are not the Christ.
For many of us, our writing is a catharic, helping us to work out the things that cause us pain.
Much peace
Gwendolyn
Channel 4 documentary
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/world-war-ii-the-last-her...
PTSD, survivor guilt; this is what I have tried to convey.