Malvinas, the never-ending war

It is not strange to see an Argentinean wearing a t-shirt with the British flag on it as if there was nothing wrong with this attitude. Suppose we talk about a girl who likes Pink Floyd, listens to the Rolling Stones all the time and who is fan of the Manchester United team. We can understand this fact, but there is a very painful real story she must not ignore or pretend to. If we consider Malvinas war as a deep wound that will stay in the hearts of those who, in a way or other, took part of it, it doesn´t seem fair to wear this t-shirt with the mere excuse of fashion.

I am not going to refer to numbers, statistics or History books, but to human beings. Many soldiers, about 12000 were sent to die. And they were not experienced soldiers,  they were teenagers, eighteen year-old teenagers.  Imagine what an adolescent can feel with an old rifle in his hand, knowing that he had to shoot his weapon and kill another human being to survive, suffering hunger, dealing with the extreme weather conditions, feeling pain, living the horror of death around him, dreaming of coming back, dreaming of home, dreaming of family and friends. Imagine his mother, her suffering, her prayers, her never-ending war days, waiting for TV news, listening to the radio all day long and just waiting for the war to stop.

Hundreds of soldiers died but it seems as if it is not enough to stop wearing this t-shirt. More than four hundred of them committed suicide. And it is not enough to stop wearing this t-shirt. Many of them suffer of mental and physical illnesses nowadays.  But it is not enough to stop wearing this t-shirt. Lots of families were destroyed by the war. However, it is not enough to stop wearing this t-shirt. No bodies to cry, but nothing is enough for an ungrateful society. This is our own war, ungratefulness and disrespect for our own heroes. After thirty seven years, it is high time we reflected on our behaviour as society in order to relieve so much suffering.

Why should we stop wearing these t-shirts, then? Because we should be respectful. Because we do not have the right to hurt people with the excuse of fashion. Because ingratitude is one of the worst defects a society can have.

Maybe it is all about empathy, and so much sacrifice cannot be forbidden. Although it is true that we cannot change any past event, and they cannot help living war again every day of their lives, at least, let them know we are grateful.
Haydée