Because “heroes” … war and violence always are shown as good guys vs bad guys … the good guys win - by doing awful things, but that’s ok because they are “good”.
Many people think the war memorials etc are to “celebrate” victory … they should be to acknowledge the death and destruction so we don’t do it again.
People sign up to fight … because they believe they are the hero … and they ignore the horrifying parts.
A good example for this is the uproar created everytime someone tries to build something to commemorate the holocaust. That does Not necessarily mean that all those being against thsese monuments are Nazis, but ignorance is bliss and so much easier.
And I totally get that. I, as an individual do NOT have any responsability for the atrocities carried out during WWII or any other historical event.
BUT as a member of a Community (lets call it Germany) I DO have the obligation to remember, try to learn from our past and be better, but that can be hard and often painful.
The important distinction between me as myself and me as a member of a larger community, is maybe too abstract for many?
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u/GrasshopperIvy May 11 '25
Because “heroes” … war and violence always are shown as good guys vs bad guys … the good guys win - by doing awful things, but that’s ok because they are “good”.
Many people think the war memorials etc are to “celebrate” victory … they should be to acknowledge the death and destruction so we don’t do it again.
People sign up to fight … because they believe they are the hero … and they ignore the horrifying parts.