The beauty in the world
I'm really bad at writing here at the moment, I know. Sorry :P I won't say that I'll get better though, cause I probably won't. Like right now I so should be studying. Realised that I have about 140 pages to read for tomorrow :P
However, I realised something else while sitting here and looking out my window. I have this amazing view of a tree and pretty much nothing else. In other words, the view is not that great. It is a window though so I won't complain. Which is where today's 'topic' comes in. This blog is called 'Beauty and Destruction', and therefore I feel it's high time to write about the beauty in the world. Rather than always writing about how much the world sucks. Which I tend to do a lot. There is so much that can be done, by all of us. BUT! In many instances, the world is very beautiful. And I'm realsing that more and more while being here in Mexico and living the international experience. Places are beautiful, and so are people. And people are good. They are genuinly good. There are some out there that in my opinion can go and hide in a cave. I won't mention any names, but I guess we all know one of those famous 'cave men' of our own time. There are so many prejudices out there, and I am the first to admit to my own. I do believe though that there is a difference between having prejudices and judging people according to them, or to have them and knowing that they are prejudices and being aware of the fact that they most often aren't true. Atleast not for everyone. Here in Mexico we are about 150 exchange students, and mostly we're representing northern and western Europe, Australia and North America (both the US and Canada). There are a few Chinese students, and then a few from other distant places. What this means is that we're one wonderful bundle of different nationalities. Reminds me of my years in Malta where we were 180 students at my school from 43 nationalities. What I have realised is how good people are. Everyone. The British. The Germans. The Finish. The Danish. The Americans. The Canadians. Yes, we're different. I don't see why we shouldn't or wouldn't want to be different. We are from different countries, different cultures. But at the same time we are all the same. I know this is not some big revelation and you all have probably already figured this out. So have I for your information, it's just that sometime it hits you a bit harder. Like now. It's something beautiful about sitting in a restaurant and when (if) being asked where you're from the answer is: "The US." "Sweden" "Norway" "Germany" "Canada" etc.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we get along so well despite being from different cultures. Of course we clash sometimes, about certain issues. But nothing that we can't accept or just agree to disagree on. We don't start a war just because we're different. Because people are good. That's our nature. Screw Hobbes and his theories about human nature being selfish and evil. We're not. We're good, and we get along. The problem is that in every playground there's a bully. And the world is one big playground. In today's society the states have taken on the roles of the playground. Certain states are the neutral ones, some are the mediators, some are the bullies. You can decide which is which by yourself. What we have to remember though, the key to all of this, is that the states don't run the world. We do. As the famous song goes We are the world, we are the people. We get along so well on this level, why can't we get along on an international level as well?
The world is just one big bundle of fascinating cultures and nationalities. They should do what we do. Get along. Because when we do, the world is truly a beautiful place where anything is possible. Anything in the positive sense.
However, I realised something else while sitting here and looking out my window. I have this amazing view of a tree and pretty much nothing else. In other words, the view is not that great. It is a window though so I won't complain. Which is where today's 'topic' comes in. This blog is called 'Beauty and Destruction', and therefore I feel it's high time to write about the beauty in the world. Rather than always writing about how much the world sucks. Which I tend to do a lot. There is so much that can be done, by all of us. BUT! In many instances, the world is very beautiful. And I'm realsing that more and more while being here in Mexico and living the international experience. Places are beautiful, and so are people. And people are good. They are genuinly good. There are some out there that in my opinion can go and hide in a cave. I won't mention any names, but I guess we all know one of those famous 'cave men' of our own time. There are so many prejudices out there, and I am the first to admit to my own. I do believe though that there is a difference between having prejudices and judging people according to them, or to have them and knowing that they are prejudices and being aware of the fact that they most often aren't true. Atleast not for everyone. Here in Mexico we are about 150 exchange students, and mostly we're representing northern and western Europe, Australia and North America (both the US and Canada). There are a few Chinese students, and then a few from other distant places. What this means is that we're one wonderful bundle of different nationalities. Reminds me of my years in Malta where we were 180 students at my school from 43 nationalities. What I have realised is how good people are. Everyone. The British. The Germans. The Finish. The Danish. The Americans. The Canadians. Yes, we're different. I don't see why we shouldn't or wouldn't want to be different. We are from different countries, different cultures. But at the same time we are all the same. I know this is not some big revelation and you all have probably already figured this out. So have I for your information, it's just that sometime it hits you a bit harder. Like now. It's something beautiful about sitting in a restaurant and when (if) being asked where you're from the answer is: "The US." "Sweden" "Norway" "Germany" "Canada" etc.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we get along so well despite being from different cultures. Of course we clash sometimes, about certain issues. But nothing that we can't accept or just agree to disagree on. We don't start a war just because we're different. Because people are good. That's our nature. Screw Hobbes and his theories about human nature being selfish and evil. We're not. We're good, and we get along. The problem is that in every playground there's a bully. And the world is one big playground. In today's society the states have taken on the roles of the playground. Certain states are the neutral ones, some are the mediators, some are the bullies. You can decide which is which by yourself. What we have to remember though, the key to all of this, is that the states don't run the world. We do. As the famous song goes We are the world, we are the people. We get along so well on this level, why can't we get along on an international level as well?
The world is just one big bundle of fascinating cultures and nationalities. They should do what we do. Get along. Because when we do, the world is truly a beautiful place where anything is possible. Anything in the positive sense.
The issue of racism
It's been a while, but I'll blame vacation time and me going home to Sweden to see friends and family and work a bit.
But now I have to say something. I'm in shock. True shock. I cannot believe what happened in Dresden, Germany. It's appaling. It's horrible. It shouldn't happen. As easy as that. And the reactions..... They shock me even more. Cause there's always going to be crazy people, that manage to do crazy things. Even in a court during trial. But then to have a whole country not talk about what happened? "If this is related to racism we will condone it with strongest words possible." Something like that did Angela Merkel say about the murder on an Arab woman. IF it is related to racism. What more do they need to know? The Arab world has seen this as a German act against them. Which of course is unfair. And you'd think Germany, with the government taking the lead, would want to assure the world that this is not the case. That it was one crazy man acting in a was that is impossible for many to understand. But no. They are not doing this. Which is a shame. In my opinion, when it comes to racism, one side is often neglected.
I remember so clearly a class in high school when we analysed Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison during English. It's the story about a black man who grows up in a white neighboorhood and is nicknamed Milkman. There is one character in the novel that is clearly a racist. He is a black man that is racist toward white's. When we were doing a characterisation of this character I said that he is a racist. My teacher looked at me and then said: "Well.. I'll put that in parentheses." To me that was unbelievable. This character killed innocent white people just for the sake of killing them. How is that not racist? Racist is not hate of black's. Or Arab's. It's hatred toward one race. And it does not matter what race that is.
My point of telling this 'story' is that when the German governement does not try to take a stand away from the actions of this one man. When they don't openly say that this is not the way of Germans. The prejudice thoughts and racist thoughts towards them is just strengthened in the Arab world. Because there is as much racism going on in the direction, as against them. And if they want to fight racism in their own country, they have to acknowledge both sides. We all have to do that. We cannot fight something if we don't look at the whole picture.
Racism in any form is horrible. And something I cannot understand. How can you hate someone just because they have a different skin colour or come from a different country? But, for us to fight this. To even have a realistic fight, we all need to acknowledge that racism is not a one-way thing. It's not something that just one specific race feels against another. It's not just the hatred from white's toward black's. It's hatred between people. And peoples.
But now I have to say something. I'm in shock. True shock. I cannot believe what happened in Dresden, Germany. It's appaling. It's horrible. It shouldn't happen. As easy as that. And the reactions..... They shock me even more. Cause there's always going to be crazy people, that manage to do crazy things. Even in a court during trial. But then to have a whole country not talk about what happened? "If this is related to racism we will condone it with strongest words possible." Something like that did Angela Merkel say about the murder on an Arab woman. IF it is related to racism. What more do they need to know? The Arab world has seen this as a German act against them. Which of course is unfair. And you'd think Germany, with the government taking the lead, would want to assure the world that this is not the case. That it was one crazy man acting in a was that is impossible for many to understand. But no. They are not doing this. Which is a shame. In my opinion, when it comes to racism, one side is often neglected.
I remember so clearly a class in high school when we analysed Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison during English. It's the story about a black man who grows up in a white neighboorhood and is nicknamed Milkman. There is one character in the novel that is clearly a racist. He is a black man that is racist toward white's. When we were doing a characterisation of this character I said that he is a racist. My teacher looked at me and then said: "Well.. I'll put that in parentheses." To me that was unbelievable. This character killed innocent white people just for the sake of killing them. How is that not racist? Racist is not hate of black's. Or Arab's. It's hatred toward one race. And it does not matter what race that is.
My point of telling this 'story' is that when the German governement does not try to take a stand away from the actions of this one man. When they don't openly say that this is not the way of Germans. The prejudice thoughts and racist thoughts towards them is just strengthened in the Arab world. Because there is as much racism going on in the direction, as against them. And if they want to fight racism in their own country, they have to acknowledge both sides. We all have to do that. We cannot fight something if we don't look at the whole picture.
Racism in any form is horrible. And something I cannot understand. How can you hate someone just because they have a different skin colour or come from a different country? But, for us to fight this. To even have a realistic fight, we all need to acknowledge that racism is not a one-way thing. It's not something that just one specific race feels against another. It's not just the hatred from white's toward black's. It's hatred between people. And peoples.
All animals are equal...
One starts to wonder where the world is headed... Just read the front page to a Swedish newspaper's website and I get shocked by the cruelty people can do. Three people have been shot in Asker, just outside Norway's capital. At a German high school students were attacked by a man carrying knifes. And UN reports today that 100 children have died in Sri Lanka during an artilleri attack. It is indeed a scary world we live in.
What I was going to write about was Pakistan. How thousands of people now are fleeing due to more fights between the talibans and the regime. UN says that 360,000 are now displaced. I can't but to start wonder. Start thinking. In today's seminar we discussed the war on terror. Our teacher brought up the issue of what the fundamental reasons are for terrorism, and for the war on it. My own thoughts are: who created terrorism? In the West we say that Sayyed Qutb is the man that started the idea of Islamist fundamentalism, and thus also the creator or modern terrorism. I the Middle East terrorist movements are seen as freedom fighters. Hezbollah in Lebanon are a legitimate political party! And at the same time classified as a terrorist organisation by the US government and the Canadian. But not by European countries, or others for that matters. This leads me to my next question. How come it's always the same countries who classifies terrorism? Doesn't that mean that it is these countries that came up with the concept? How can they say that the Islamic fundamentalists of the Middle East came up with a concept, when it is themselves that insist (or atleast instead) on using it? I am sure you will never a Hamas-member or someone from the Muslim Brotherhood call themselves a terrorist. With the end of the Bush-era and the beginning of Obama the term 'war on terror' has been removed. The war on terror does no longer exist. Does this mean that the war is over? Or that there never was a war? Or have we, the West, just come up with a different word that sounds different, but in its true essence still means that same? Like globalisation is by many seen as neo-colonialism (which I just wrote an essay about by the way! Interesting stuff!).
I don't know. I don't claim to have any answers. But I do believe that it is very naïve of us in the West to blame the fighting of the talibans, the death of thousands of civilians in Iraq, etc., etc., etc. solely on these countries regimes and on terrorist groups. Can it ever be justified to kill civilians? Or any one else for that matter. No. It cannot. So how can countries like the US and the UK justify them going to Iraq? Or how can Israel justify the bombings of a shelter in southern Lebanon during the 33-day war in 2006? How can Hezbollah justify shooting missiles at remote villages in northern Israel (allthough they did warn the Israeli-government, Israel did not warn Lebanon for 'attacking' shelters, but my view on that is a whole other story..)?
I guess the question it ultimately comes down to is this: would we like it if someone did these things to us?
Something we've been tought since we were little kids. Atleast back in Sweden they teach this, and I assume it is taught all over the world. The so-called 'Golden Rule.' Don't do anything to anyone that you wouldn't want them to do to you. As simple as that. But apparently not. It goes back as far as the old political philosophers. They struggled with the same questions we struggle with today! Is survival only reached by fighting each other? And is the human natural state wicked and evil and selfish?
How come that we all get taught the Golden Rule. We all understand it when we are six. It makes sense. Then how come it is so quickly forgotten when we grow up? How come that sentence suddenly is alterated? It is slowly transformed into another classical 'rule.' And I wonder if Orwell knew that he didn't only talk about the Soviet Blosheviks when he wrote Animal Farm. But about all power hungry human beings. Which unfortunately means a very large population of the world. At least a large proportion of the ruling people of the world. As I said, it's a scary world we live in.. Where pigs become humans...
And all animals are equal. Some are just more equal than others.....
What I was going to write about was Pakistan. How thousands of people now are fleeing due to more fights between the talibans and the regime. UN says that 360,000 are now displaced. I can't but to start wonder. Start thinking. In today's seminar we discussed the war on terror. Our teacher brought up the issue of what the fundamental reasons are for terrorism, and for the war on it. My own thoughts are: who created terrorism? In the West we say that Sayyed Qutb is the man that started the idea of Islamist fundamentalism, and thus also the creator or modern terrorism. I the Middle East terrorist movements are seen as freedom fighters. Hezbollah in Lebanon are a legitimate political party! And at the same time classified as a terrorist organisation by the US government and the Canadian. But not by European countries, or others for that matters. This leads me to my next question. How come it's always the same countries who classifies terrorism? Doesn't that mean that it is these countries that came up with the concept? How can they say that the Islamic fundamentalists of the Middle East came up with a concept, when it is themselves that insist (or atleast instead) on using it? I am sure you will never a Hamas-member or someone from the Muslim Brotherhood call themselves a terrorist. With the end of the Bush-era and the beginning of Obama the term 'war on terror' has been removed. The war on terror does no longer exist. Does this mean that the war is over? Or that there never was a war? Or have we, the West, just come up with a different word that sounds different, but in its true essence still means that same? Like globalisation is by many seen as neo-colonialism (which I just wrote an essay about by the way! Interesting stuff!).
I don't know. I don't claim to have any answers. But I do believe that it is very naïve of us in the West to blame the fighting of the talibans, the death of thousands of civilians in Iraq, etc., etc., etc. solely on these countries regimes and on terrorist groups. Can it ever be justified to kill civilians? Or any one else for that matter. No. It cannot. So how can countries like the US and the UK justify them going to Iraq? Or how can Israel justify the bombings of a shelter in southern Lebanon during the 33-day war in 2006? How can Hezbollah justify shooting missiles at remote villages in northern Israel (allthough they did warn the Israeli-government, Israel did not warn Lebanon for 'attacking' shelters, but my view on that is a whole other story..)?
I guess the question it ultimately comes down to is this: would we like it if someone did these things to us?
Something we've been tought since we were little kids. Atleast back in Sweden they teach this, and I assume it is taught all over the world. The so-called 'Golden Rule.' Don't do anything to anyone that you wouldn't want them to do to you. As simple as that. But apparently not. It goes back as far as the old political philosophers. They struggled with the same questions we struggle with today! Is survival only reached by fighting each other? And is the human natural state wicked and evil and selfish?
How come that we all get taught the Golden Rule. We all understand it when we are six. It makes sense. Then how come it is so quickly forgotten when we grow up? How come that sentence suddenly is alterated? It is slowly transformed into another classical 'rule.' And I wonder if Orwell knew that he didn't only talk about the Soviet Blosheviks when he wrote Animal Farm. But about all power hungry human beings. Which unfortunately means a very large population of the world. At least a large proportion of the ruling people of the world. As I said, it's a scary world we live in.. Where pigs become humans...
And all animals are equal. Some are just more equal than others.....
