Zianna Robinson and Chris Rivera
Identifying the issue
Romanticizing war is to make war seem glorious in anyway or think of it as a beautiful thing.
- Promoted as being a way to make a positive difference.(By all sides)
- Some people feel like they are apart of something big/important.
- Soldiers lives are given for the greater good.(Benefit many others)
- Patriotism is the best way for people to attribute their lives.
Romanticizing in Depth; Hellish Aspects
- We tend to speak of war in positive, patriotic, and Manichean terms: wars for ¨freedom¨ and ¨liberation¨ wars to ¨extend American Democracy¨and ¨Protect our American way of life¨; ¨good¨ wars versus ¨evil¨ enemies
The birth of the nation, the end of slavery, the empowerment of certain marginalized people the defeat of fascism, communism, or terrorism.
All of this involves glossing over the hellish aspect of war.....
- Immense violent
- Death toll/ civilian casualties
- Suffering of loved ones
- Physical/ physiological trauma
- Devastation of land and people
Historian Howard Zinn says ¨Our addiction to massive violence¨
Honor, Glory, War
There is no glorious war, just frightened people losing sight of a common goal.
We're told that war is glorious, do they know the dreams I have at night?
War is not glorious
War is not glorious. War is hell. The only reason for fighting is is to achieve some good end that cannot be achieved by any other means. -Carla Nayland
- Not only is war glorified, but the soldiers are deified as heroes
- In the forces, honor is drummed into the recruits from day one. The honor of the country, the regiment and the platoon all come down to the honor of the individual. Including personal integrity and loyalty, honor is bound tightly to just pride and accolade.
- Just to join up and put on the uniform sets you apart as courageous and heroic.
The status of hero is created by society as ultimately desirable.
The military advertise the benefits of learning skills, comradeship and a generally good life. They show pictures of smart, smiling people driving tanks, flying aircraft and using other 'boy's toys'.
How the American public view the issue
1. War isn't necessary
2. We get into war that isn't our fight
3. We tell U.S citizens that our war helps us be glorious
How the military views the issue
Imabear. "Why Is War Romanticized, Even to This Day?" Why Is War Romanticized, Even to This Day? © Experience Project 2015, 4 May 2011. Web. 7 Sept. 2015.