tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post7201758680394373521..comments2024-03-28T00:11:33.489-04:00Comments on bensozia: Do we want to be remembered as a bomber of weddings and hospitals? Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-91579524970185209642015-10-23T14:05:06.658-04:002015-10-23T14:05:06.658-04:00I'm reminded of recent discussions I've ha...I'm reminded of recent discussions I've had with people over the topic of symbols and how the same emblem or icon can mean entirely different things to different people.<br /><br />To illustrate my point, I used the example of the flag of the United States of America. To most Americans, they see the flag and associate it with a bunch of positive qualities: home, security, democracy, justice - the whole gamut of "Mom and Apple Pie" patriotic values.<br /><br />But then I pointed out that in many parts of the world, the flag of the United States of America is far more readily associated with death, destruction, greed, and injustice. To someone who chiefly sees our flag on the uniforms of soldiers occupying their country, or stamped on the bombs casing and landmines they dig up to sell for scrap to help keep themselves fed, the image of the flag takes on a very different set of values and meanings.<br /><br />The same is true of the word "America". When we hear it spoken aloud, it's often in reference to pride and patriotism, or at the very least it serves to speak of our collective "home". But for millions of people around the world, the word "America" is spoken typically in reference to the strange people from far away who came and bombed their homes, killed and maimed their loved ones, and who drive fear into their hearts every day with the uncertainty of when or where the next attack might occur.<br /><br />Sadly, my point was largely lost on my listeners. They responded with arguments like, <i>"Well of course they think badly of "America" and of our flag! They're evil and out to destroy us / jealous and out to rob us of our wealth / oppressive and out to crush our liberty!"</i>G. Verlorennoreply@blogger.com