What I find deeply disturbing is how the resentment and intolerance reflected in the clip is immediately reflected in the comments on the video. Just as the producers try to show how appalling the things we do to one another are, so the commenters simply continue to play out the same old fearful myopia. As Atyllah would say, "Humans are just insane." She's probably right. It's time to stop the rot and realise we're far more alike than we are different.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Stop the Clash of Civilizations
A very powerful video from Avaaz.org
What I find deeply disturbing is how the resentment and intolerance reflected in the clip is immediately reflected in the comments on the video. Just as the producers try to show how appalling the things we do to one another are, so the commenters simply continue to play out the same old fearful myopia. As Atyllah would say, "Humans are just insane." She's probably right. It's time to stop the rot and realise we're far more alike than we are different.
What I find deeply disturbing is how the resentment and intolerance reflected in the clip is immediately reflected in the comments on the video. Just as the producers try to show how appalling the things we do to one another are, so the commenters simply continue to play out the same old fearful myopia. As Atyllah would say, "Humans are just insane." She's probably right. It's time to stop the rot and realise we're far more alike than we are different.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Powerful stuff, Vanilla. The image of the little boy just holding onto his father's little finger struck a chord with me. I always thought, and said at the time they should have bombed Afghanistan with bread and medical supplies. People would have changed things then. It never happens though!
Cor that was a bit serious! *shakes head* brrrr! :-)
Serious has to be done sometimes, Jon.
Wow...
Great video, containing lots of ideas, questioning others. Three Cheers for the revolution! (and for sweet revenge)
Moving pics, great animation. :D
C ya...
Wow.
I just griped about that on my moaning post.
Not nearly as powerful as this video. So true, good Vanilla, so true.
I wonder if we'll ever stop killing each other.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Bread and medicines bombing sounds like a good alternative to explosives that maim and kill, Jon
Yep, Minx, sometimes we have to sit up and notice the world around us has too much pain and suffering in it.
Let's hear if for a revolution of sanity, Cai.
Off to read your post right now, Scarlett. We seem to have been killing each other for an awful long time, haven't we - time we unlearned that behaviour and learned something more nurturing.
Ah ... maybe it's just my mood today but this has made me really sad ...
Didn't do much to lighten my mood either Debi - but at least we know that some of us are aware of the realities and that we must fight against the intolerance and division out there.
Needless to say, that after this very serious post there will be a post tonight which is entirely silly. Balance and all that, you know.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) my work computer won't allow me to see/view the clip. However, I have taken a look at the website it came from and in particular the section 'stop the clash of civilisations'. The petition is curiously worded don't you think...it talks of a West vs Islam clash. So this is economic idealogy vs religious idealogy? As Islam is prevalent in the West, what does this mean, Islam in the West is fighting Islam that's not in the West? A confused message indeed. Let's fight religious fantacism and bigotry wherever it is...north, west, east or south. Let's fight injustice wherever it is. But I fear that as long as us humans are on the planet we will never do that.
It would probably have been more appropriate if they'd entitled it something like Stop the Clash of Cultures. And I suppose there is the old paradigm catch of viewing Islam as being a Middle Eastern, ie of it's origins - rather than a religion that has spread far and wide, as has Christianity and Judaism. But yes, I would agree that what is needed is a fight against injustice bigotry, fascism, racism and a multitude of other isms. We also need to fight greed and the lust for power. But mostly, we need to fight our own fears - because that is where all the isms spring from - especially that business of being afraid of anything that is different.
A certain chicken of my aquaintance would agree with you that humans may not be capable of that. And yet... and yet... would we dare to hope that perhaps one day we can rise above our fears, respect our similarities and our differences and live in peace?
Perhaps some of us could try and at least make a start...
Post a Comment