I remember that day and the look on my father’s face, when he had mentioned the Vietnam War and how he sat in protest, playing the drums in front of his university. All I had asked him was if he had ever played a certain type of hand drum and I remember that look on his face, bringing it all back. I remember the yearbook he showed me, his classmates standing around a tank with him up on top, holding the peace sign out to the camera. I remembered him again, when I went to visit the War Museum here in Ho Chi Minh City.
As I walked through it I stared at the pictures and took them in deep as they should be taken in. I took many pictures to share here on Void as well. I share them because I want you to look at them too and take them in as I did. I don’t want to ever be afraid to feel and looking at these pictures should make a person feel. Don’t ever be afraid to feel, because when you feel, you become a different person, for the better is all I hope. When you feel, you make yourself better, and if you think you already make yourself better then look at these pictures so it will help you help others make their own selves better. If you already believe that you help others make their own self better, then look at these pictures to make the world better. If you believe that you already help make the world better then look at these pictures to make the universe better. There is no limit to what you can make better and to believe you have done enough or are doing enough just means you are seriously wrong.
Two wrongs have never made a right, in my calculations. If you think the Vietnamese were horrible to the Americans in their war tactics, see this and know that the Americans did the same right back. To what end? What has war accomplished other than a series of horrors while it is happening and for years after? As I walk through the city and literally see the wounds of Agent Orange, I can’t help but wonder how people can shy away, cover their eyes. They tell me that they understand it and know about it but that is just a lie. When you admit you have no idea, you are confused and puzzled by it all – only then will I believe you understand.
On a better note, I met a few Vietnamese students that were doing an assignment, asking travelers questions and working on their communication skills – which explains the one photo of me with them after we discussed a bit about Vietnam and the United States.
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