Books 2013: The Color Purple (and some ramblings about the British 'Bully' Empire)

[miss_peg]

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in an American accent before. I’ve thought in an American accent thanks to a trip there that involved a lot of constant American talking, but I’ve never read so much like that. Even writing this, I’m still stuck in that mind-set of the deep south

Comments

[nynaeve_sedai]

I think we have to be careful to condemn a single group of people (like the British Empire) as though they were the first or only to behave this way. It has been the practice of every nation to conquer. They really didn't do anything that hasn't been done since the beginning of human civilization (and which still continues even to this day - nations *still* quarrel over land and attempt to exert power over another. Nowadays we do it more in economic terms than in military terms, at least, that's how you do it in a first world fashion).

I'm not arguing that their behavior was right, but more rather that it was what it was and that they weren't behaving any differently than any other human civilization. All governments, regardless of their type or form, desire power and to exert that power. This they do in whatever manner is most effective and beneficial to themselves. To be sickened by the acts of one is to be sickened by all of humanity for all time. It's simpler to accept the past as it is, the present as it is, and try to see if it's possible to be different in the future.

My $.02 anyway.

[miss_peg]

I can't accept it though. I can't accept a lot of the past or present or what will be our future. That is what it is. I can't change my reaction to things. Yes others have done such things but I blame my country for many things and I'm well within my right to do so.

[nynaeve_sedai]

Well, yes, I wasn't arguing that you aren't within your right to feel a certain way. I was more thinking why waste the emotional energy on it? You can't change it (I guess I don't know what you would do except accept it). In my head I'd think spending emotional capital on modern injustices would be more effective because then there are actual causes one can get involved in. Maybe it's the pragmatic side of me but what else is there to do about it? The past is done. All we can do is look to the future and the events we can influence using lessons gained from our history.

I was just engaging in conversation. ;)

[miss_peg]

I think a lot, about a lot of things, some of it I can change and some I can't. I'd rather use my energy on a past I can't change than a present I can't change but then I feel more in control. The thought of being unable to change what is happening now is too painful and difficult because I can't so anything to make the situation better and yet it still goes on. The financial situation of the world right now and the implications of that on me individually and of many like me makes life feel that little bit harder, so I need to focus on the things that can't be changed by anyone!