On many topics here on TFS I've been disturbed at the lack of empathy shown, particularly in regards the war in Iraq and tonight the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
taking such a removed, non-emotional stance to the suffering of millions of people worldwide displays so much of (to use a cliche) what is wrong with the world.
no empathy.
the lives of people from the third world are not worth as much as ours.
not to most of us. we're too far removed.
for example. Iraqi civilians mean little compared to US soldiers.
3,000 Americans get the media reporting, public support and sympathy that
55, 000 Iraqis can not.
these people have lives, families, the Internet, coca-cola.
what makes them different to such a degree that their lives are not worth the same?
i think a bit of intimacy is needed to remove people from the comfort of their own distance. to be shown other perspectives.
i was tracking down this film for someone else here on TFS and i think i should share it with you all too.
made by Japanese artist Keiji Nakazawa, who was 7 years old when he witnessed first hand the A-bomb at Hiroshima.
based on his experiences, it tells a personal story through the eyes of a child.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhcmuNNd7GU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqbZJZBKI80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWv-yo0CMAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi_MvRNC1fQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FYuosukBGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0cKDdijcg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjCSDkxvAOg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t7Z7gqOh0U
you don't have to watch it all now,
but please make note of it and watch at your convenience.
in Keiji Nakazawa's own words
"people should be told what happened,
if you live through something like the A-bomb,
you know war is too terrible not to be avoided at all costs,
regardless of the justifications offered for it"
Feb 01, 2007 @ 05:31:04
