"Life is a trip"- Vietnam chapter- Reflection

The chapter of Vietnam in the reading Life is a trip dealt with the topic of the American war in Vietnam and the topic of forgiveness. It was interesting to read and learn about a war that even reached the island of Puerto Rico. I've never met anyone who came from that specific war, so it was interesting to learn a little of what transpired there. I was surprised to read that the Vietnamese the author encountered had forgiven the U.S. and as they put it "After the war, I hated anything with an American trademark. Now I like it. During the war, we saw distorted caricatures of bloodthirsty Americans in propaganda. Now when I meet Americans, I think they are so handsome and friendly." To see such a dramatic change in attitude is surprising. Since I've never been to war it is difficult for me to know what soldiers or civilians at wars feel and experience. Nonetheless, I hear so many stories of the horrible things that happen at war and they fill me with disgust and anger. I don't know if I would be able to forgive another country if they hurt people I love. It is incredible to see how much war can change someone and make them see thing in a new light for example when Cuan, an ex-guerrilla Viet-Con fighter said: "Forget the past-I live in the present. After what I went through, I never take anything for granted. I appreciate every little thing and each moment. I forgave the soldiers a long time ago". I think it takes great courage and maturity to say something like that and shows how much he has grown as a person. When talking about anger and forgiveness the author talks with an old man who participated in the war, he said: "I was eaten up by anger when I was younger. So I spent many years meditating about anger and whom I was angry at" There was no difference between the american soldiers and me. We were both caught up in a situation and circumstances." This shows us that time heals all wounds in one way or another and that age also plays apart, because both allow you to grow, mature and reflect and think about a subject in new ways. The words and experiences the author had in Vietnam also changed them allowing them to overcome some of their own personal anger and grow as a person. Over all, it was a reading that made you question yourself, would you be able to forgive and move on or would you get stuck in resentment and anger forever?

Vietnamese photos:




Vietnam War photos:

Vietnamese music: