Lea Tsvayg, Period 6, 10-18-23

 Lea Tsvayg, Period 6, 10-18-23

Modern Mythology 2024

Socio-political Consciousness

Hatred.

A seemingly simple word- comprised of just six letters. Yet these letters, when strung together just so, form such a powerful word deeply rooted in our society. How can a word be so simple, yet its implications have such a profound impact on the world we live in today? 

The war in Ukraine came as a shock to everyone. What was initially perceived as a bold and foolish move by Russia has escalated into a devastating war that shows no signs of ending. Considering the fact that this fighting is still going on, the thought of war is expected to be somewhat in the forefront of our minds. But this past week, when Israel was attacked by the terrorist group Hamas, everyone was flabbergasted. Watching the news as this conflict unfolded, seeing the rockets flying and innocent lives being lost was like a collective shock to our systems.

Being a Ukrainian Jew, these conflicts hit close to home. I have family members and my parents have friends who are personally impacted by what’s going on. While I am so fortunate to have never experienced war myself, I can’t help but think about how terrified so many people are right now. Why is it fair that while I sit in the comfort of my own home, millions of people are fearing for their lives? Why is it fair that one country can decide to put the lives of so many in danger? Who has the right to decide that a perceived injustice justifies such violence and bloodshed?

Maybe it’s my naivety, but I can’t possibly fathom the idea of having so much hatred and pride that you decide to attack another country. How can people sit here and justify the horrific crimes being committed? We are always told that history serves as a lesson to prevent its repetition. Yet these conflicts persist, adding on to the horribly long list of wars and brutality. Of course resolving such disputes is not as simple as breaking up a fight on the playground but there has got to be a better way to create peace than resorting to bombing and attacking. 

Is it not wiser, both morally and economically, to seek compromise instead of taking the most extreme action possible? We should strive for a world where peace prevails over hatred and violence and the horrors of war become a thing of the past. So I’ll end this up with a quote from Hellen Keller that I believe sums up my feelings perfectly: “War is a man-made disaster, and human suffering is its main consequence”.