As part of International Peace Day a few weeks ago, Sam had the opportunity to define what peace meant to him.
This is Sam's sign from his morning meaning. One way to define a thing is to say what it is not. Peace has two direct antonyms that I can think of: war and unquiet (or the opposite of calm).
The children for the most part thought of peace in two theaters: the theater of the home (i.e. "What does peace mean to you?" "No screaming. No slamming doors.") or the global theater (i.e. "What does peace mean to you?" "No war.").
It doesn't surprise me that Sam had a more global perspective. I know he doesn't know what war is really like. He is really into the Percy Jackson series which involves the Greek Gods and most likely hints at combat, conflict, or "war" between gods--hurling lightning bolts as one another and summoning tidal waves telekinetically--but thankfully doesn't process what war really means the way your or I do.
One of the major debates currently raging in the States right now is whether or not it is disrespectful to not stand for the National Anthem (largely, in the context of at sporting events). Without revealing which camp Elise or I am in, I believe the debate largely misses the opportunity to discuss a much larger matter.
Those that believe not standing for the National Anthem is disrespecting our soldiers, take for granted the fact we have or need soldiers at all. Anyone who puts themselves in the line of fire to protect our country has my deepest and most profound respect, but I believe a better conversation is not how to show respect to soldiers, but how to eliminate the need to show respect, how to reduce the number of those putting themselves into a situation wherein they go to war then come back in need of rehabilitation and respect, remove them from the battlefield or get them off the carousel of placing them in harm's way.
It is so deeply inculcated into the American psyche, sub-conscious, or self-image, really, that there must be this standing military, this constant force. War is as American as Wal-mart, hamburgers, and the 4th of July that you can't turn on a baseball or football game without being reminded of war and the military's prominent position in American culture. I don't think you ever get too old to hope there can be no war or ever be too idealistic to think it is possible. I hope if someone asks the 45-year old what does peace mean to him, he still responds, "No war."
This is Sam's sign from his morning meaning. One way to define a thing is to say what it is not. Peace has two direct antonyms that I can think of: war and unquiet (or the opposite of calm).
The children for the most part thought of peace in two theaters: the theater of the home (i.e. "What does peace mean to you?" "No screaming. No slamming doors.") or the global theater (i.e. "What does peace mean to you?" "No war.").
It doesn't surprise me that Sam had a more global perspective. I know he doesn't know what war is really like. He is really into the Percy Jackson series which involves the Greek Gods and most likely hints at combat, conflict, or "war" between gods--hurling lightning bolts as one another and summoning tidal waves telekinetically--but thankfully doesn't process what war really means the way your or I do.
One of the major debates currently raging in the States right now is whether or not it is disrespectful to not stand for the National Anthem (largely, in the context of at sporting events). Without revealing which camp Elise or I am in, I believe the debate largely misses the opportunity to discuss a much larger matter.
Those that believe not standing for the National Anthem is disrespecting our soldiers, take for granted the fact we have or need soldiers at all. Anyone who puts themselves in the line of fire to protect our country has my deepest and most profound respect, but I believe a better conversation is not how to show respect to soldiers, but how to eliminate the need to show respect, how to reduce the number of those putting themselves into a situation wherein they go to war then come back in need of rehabilitation and respect, remove them from the battlefield or get them off the carousel of placing them in harm's way.
It is so deeply inculcated into the American psyche, sub-conscious, or self-image, really, that there must be this standing military, this constant force. War is as American as Wal-mart, hamburgers, and the 4th of July that you can't turn on a baseball or football game without being reminded of war and the military's prominent position in American culture. I don't think you ever get too old to hope there can be no war or ever be too idealistic to think it is possible. I hope if someone asks the 45-year old what does peace mean to him, he still responds, "No war."
No comments:
Post a Comment