I received an email from a colleague yesterday in which he complained about them—you know, the “bad guys,” the ones who oppress others, who enslave humankind, who profit from human misery, war, and all sorts of evil.
I have been thinking about them since I read his email. Then I remembered the following poem by singer/song writer/philosopher Leonard Cohen:
ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ADOLPH EICHMANN
by Leonard Cohen
EYES:......................Medium
HAIR:......................Medium
WEIGHT:....................Medium
HEIGHT:....................Medium
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES....None
NUMBER OF FINGERS:.........Ten
NUMBER OF TOES.............Ten
INTELLIGENCE...............Medium
What did you expect?
Talons?
Oversize incisors?
Green Saliva?
Madness?
Nazi SS Obersturmbannführer Adolf Eichmann
The poem rather starts one thinking about who they are compared to who we are, doesn’t it?
When (in the name of national security) America started torturing and imprisoning and profiling, it was pointed out that the Nazis began their reign in the same humble ways. The response, of course, was "Oh, no, this is completely different."
ReplyDeleteBut it wasn't.
You know, Thomas, we were doing all those things long before the Nazis. We were torturing and imprisoning and profiling during the American Revaluation. The subjects were called Loyalists, those who remained loyal to “King and Country.” Of course, the Loyalists and King George’s Red Coats were doing the same to us.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it has happened as long as humankind has existed, when group decides that another is “different” from themselves and therefore the “bad guys.”
We humans find it very easy to attribute evil to the “other guy.” Thanks for the reminder, Saint Nick.
ReplyDeleteI read recently that the 'Holocaust' is to be removed from the National Curriculum here and I think it's disgusting. It should never be forgotton what atrocities were committed, if it is there is every chance that the same thing will happen again.
ReplyDeleteI like Leonard Cohen more and more the more I get to know him.
ReplyDeleteFor me, right now, the thought of "other" pains my heart.
I can't say that I don't have, within me, all that even the cruelest have within them.
There are times when I have thought that I would have made an excellent Nazi. Those thoughts terrify me. I think that it is very easy for us to be seduced by the "Dark Side."
ReplyDeleteDid I just hear Akelamalu say that the Holocaust is being removed from the UK curriculum? That is so wrong.
ReplyDeleteShaking my head.
Great post, Nick. I like the way you make me think about things.
Isn't it strange how often we discover "them" when we look into a mirror?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick, for posting this.
It's one of those things too easy to try to force into black and white. The whole "if you're not with us, you're against us"mentality . I don't know if you've ever seen the movie Crash or not, but it is a very well done movie about hate from all different people's perspectives.
ReplyDeleteIt's very haunting.
Take care, Nick and my love to Alex too!
--snow
I, too, have heard that the Holocaust has been removed from the US school curriculum...because it offends the Muslims, who deny it happened. So, the West bows down to Islam once again. Can we expect the same with 09/11, will it be taken off the curriculum as never having occurred, because it offends the Muslims?
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is the world coming too?
The distinguishing feature, person to person, is not a visible one. Rather, it is in the choices we make. And there are only ever two choices: good, or not good.
ReplyDeleteChina Girl: You are most welcome. I find it too easy to forget.
ReplyDeleteAkelamalu: I agree. I remember that Elie Weisel said the same.
Carol: I agree. Leonard Cohen is quite talented and can express ideas in really unique ways.
ReplyDeleteI know that I have the capability within myself to do great harm. I pray that I can maintain enough awareness so that I don’t use it.
Charlie: I share your feelings. As I wrote above, I, too, have that within me. I wonder what causes one to cross that line. Fear? Greed? Self preservation?
We do need only look in the mirror. As the late Walt Kelly said, "We have met the enemy and he is us."
ReplyDeleteHas me looking into my mirror.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Sad.
ReplyDelete