Over the past few years I have had several opportunities to witness and examine the human condition at very basic levels. Poverty, tragic trauma, and emotional duress seem to expose fundamental human characteristics and emotions that are otherwise hidden in our daily lives. My experiences with marginalized and poverty-stricken communities across the globe has given me glimpses of these universal human conditions. Until Johnny Got His Gun, I didn't expect to gain transformative insight into the very basic core of human existence through anything but personal relationships and eye-witness accounts. Sure, throughout my life literature and film have greatly influenced my perceptions on many different levels, but nothing really compares to this work. Reading this novel transformed my core, my soul, and the lens through which I perceive the world. From examining the basic levels of how we, as humans, connect with one another...to being consumed by the intense concepts of time, self, and war...I was challenged thoroughly and often.
How refreshing!
And how pertinent to the current landscape of our fucked up world. As I write, thousands of vigils are materializing around the country to recognize, commemorate, and denounce the death of the 2,000th US soldier killed in Iraq. And what of the wounded? And what of the Iraqi civilians? And what of the depleted uranium? The cancers? Water? Clean needles? Torture? "Do we scream in the night when it touches our dreams?" Mr. Trumbo poses a great question.
I love how the author brings in the beautiful (and tragic) story of Mary and Joseph in the manger. It seems to me that taking a child away from her parents is one of the most gut-wrenching realities of war. Is this the answer to truly mobilizing for peace in our world? We see a very successful attempt everyday from a true American hero, Cindy Sheehan (http://www.gsfp.org/). Perhaps it's simply having this novel be required reading for every desperate soul being nabbed by recruiters with flashy promises of hummers, shoot-em-up lifestyles, and a college education.
"What Do You Want?" -- Years of analysis building up to answer that loaded question. Too bad when they finally ask you...after years of trying to be heard...they simply put you under. A simple drug and a "no thanks, we don't need any of that." Amazing. Truly, amazing.
I look forward to everybody's reflections...
