History does not take sides. Historians do! Any event that occurs can be shaped and retold to create a narrative. Even a totally different narrative. It mostly depends on who is telling it, for whom and for what purpose. News is shorter or immediate form of history.
Celebrating VE day is another such event of history that needs rethinking. Not the celebration, but the reason for celebrating! The very name of the event can be questioned. Victory of Europe. That would mean defeat of someone else. So when Europe - whoever or whatever that means - is celebrating its victory, someone else somewhere is 'not celebrating'. More especially, someone else is made to feel little and forcefully reminded of a past that is long buried and overcome.
Instead celebrate the end of war! Celebrate the beginning of peace - even though it is a negative understanding of peace, at least it is inclusive. Some may argue that, that is the celebration. Then why the lopsided title of the day? So celebrate and appreciate the sacrifice; but we also need to remember that others were killed and suffered. Their sacrifice also matters. Their suffering also is to be respected. Remember the past; but also learn not the repeat the same mistakes again! What point is there if we glorify the past and then repeat the same mistakes that led to the event we celebrate the conclusion of?
Closer home, it is the same with the title 'Mary Help of Christians'. Whatever the historical context in which the title originated, everytime we invoke Mary under that title, it is as if we have appropriated her to Christians - alone! Can she be? Would she want to be? Can we who generously use that title be more gracious in our invocation? If yes, then we should.
Celebrating VE day is another such event of history that needs rethinking. Not the celebration, but the reason for celebrating! The very name of the event can be questioned. Victory of Europe. That would mean defeat of someone else. So when Europe - whoever or whatever that means - is celebrating its victory, someone else somewhere is 'not celebrating'. More especially, someone else is made to feel little and forcefully reminded of a past that is long buried and overcome.
Instead celebrate the end of war! Celebrate the beginning of peace - even though it is a negative understanding of peace, at least it is inclusive. Some may argue that, that is the celebration. Then why the lopsided title of the day? So celebrate and appreciate the sacrifice; but we also need to remember that others were killed and suffered. Their sacrifice also matters. Their suffering also is to be respected. Remember the past; but also learn not the repeat the same mistakes again! What point is there if we glorify the past and then repeat the same mistakes that led to the event we celebrate the conclusion of?
Closer home, it is the same with the title 'Mary Help of Christians'. Whatever the historical context in which the title originated, everytime we invoke Mary under that title, it is as if we have appropriated her to Christians - alone! Can she be? Would she want to be? Can we who generously use that title be more gracious in our invocation? If yes, then we should.
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