literature

The Killer's Conviction

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Literature Text

I do not hate the enemy. They're not like me, they are me. Family, friends, hopes, dreams, aspirations, plans for the future, unrealized potential to help humanity. Maybe we're all just victims of the powerful's lusts for more, products of an uncaring society that favors horrifying violence over diplomacy, control over cooperation. We have more in common with each other than with any of those that sent us here.

But here we are. The cultures our peoples grew, the political agendas they're governed by, the social circumstances in which their members live, these all have driven our paths to cross in this crucible of death and dominance, flesh and steel, fear and conviction. These titanic, complex, and intricate factors beyond our control all have conspired to leave us no choice but to kill one another. It's me or him.

I will kill the enemy. Whether or not I believe in it, I will carry out the will of my people. And for that reason I do not bear the burden of this terrible act alone. For the blood shed in war is but the byproduct of all of human society. For each life tragically extinguished on the battlefield, all of humanity is guilty.
I cannot recommend the book On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by LtCol. Dave Grossman enough; it is a must-read.
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