There are certain events in a country's history that leaves a scar so painful, it cannot be forgotten. If there is such a scar with the United States, is has to be the Vietnam War. Even to this day, its shadow still looms. Many people are starting to say the occupation in Iraq is turning into another Vietnam. Regardless if this comparison is justified, there is not doubt the harrowing memories of Vietnam are still embedded within the American psyche. I just recently ran across 'Hearts and Minds' at a library. I have not heard of this before, but after watching it, I could not help but think how controversial it must have been for its time period. It was released just as the war was ending; America was split into half and many Americans began to develop a pessimistic view of their country. This film does not show the U.S. in a good light, in fact many people would still consider it an anti-American film. It is not surprising that such a film emerged from the Vietnam War. No other war in the country's history has created such bitter feelings, although Operation Iraqi Freedom is creeping closer.
What is so powerful and memorable about 'Hearts and Minds' is its use of juxtaposing contradictions. One moment we see the immense suffering of both the North and South Vietnamese civilians. We see how their lives have been ruined and devastated by war. The next minute we see the cool indifference of the the American generals and soldiers. They do not see the Vietnamese as human beings; they see them as savages, primitives, and playthings. The Americans act like they are doing their job and do not realize the moral values at hand. It is shocking just how much racism existed within the military during this war. It makes me wonder if the same level of racism exists for the Iraq situation. Sadly, the same mentality is seen again and again. The idea of 'white man's burden' is prevalent throughout the film. The U.S. suffers from the winner's complex. The U.S. is the best and the rest of the world is sub-human.
This mentality, as the film shows, is implanted at a very early age. The air force pilot who tells elementary school children that the Vietnamese are savages. The psychotic football coach who slaps this players on their helmets, yelling at them to "kill and win". It is frightening, but the Vietnam War showed that this is what this country has become. When a country is as rich and powerful as the U.S., all moral values can be put aside. How can this be stopped? 'Hearts and Minds' gives several clues. It show American soldiers who have been wounded both physically and psychologically by the war. It showed that even underneath the heartlessness, there exists still a heart. The human soul almost naturally knows what is right and wrong. It can reflect on what it has done and make a judgment. This film, although a little one-sided, is a must see. It is a must see because we are seeing another war that is becoming just like Vietnam.
What is so powerful and memorable about 'Hearts and Minds' is its use of juxtaposing contradictions. One moment we see the immense suffering of both the North and South Vietnamese civilians. We see how their lives have been ruined and devastated by war. The next minute we see the cool indifference of the the American generals and soldiers. They do not see the Vietnamese as human beings; they see them as savages, primitives, and playthings. The Americans act like they are doing their job and do not realize the moral values at hand. It is shocking just how much racism existed within the military during this war. It makes me wonder if the same level of racism exists for the Iraq situation. Sadly, the same mentality is seen again and again. The idea of 'white man's burden' is prevalent throughout the film. The U.S. suffers from the winner's complex. The U.S. is the best and the rest of the world is sub-human.
This mentality, as the film shows, is implanted at a very early age. The air force pilot who tells elementary school children that the Vietnamese are savages. The psychotic football coach who slaps this players on their helmets, yelling at them to "kill and win". It is frightening, but the Vietnam War showed that this is what this country has become. When a country is as rich and powerful as the U.S., all moral values can be put aside. How can this be stopped? 'Hearts and Minds' gives several clues. It show American soldiers who have been wounded both physically and psychologically by the war. It showed that even underneath the heartlessness, there exists still a heart. The human soul almost naturally knows what is right and wrong. It can reflect on what it has done and make a judgment. This film, although a little one-sided, is a must see. It is a must see because we are seeing another war that is becoming just like Vietnam.