“The flag I was carrying is the same one I always hold in all the other protests I’ve attended. My friends make fun of me, saying it is easier to throw rocks without holding a flag in the other hand, but I got used to it.
If I get killed, I want to be wrapped in the same flag. We are demanding our right of return, and protesting for our dignity and the dignity of our future generation.”
“Romanticising the image of a desperate man taking on an army allows us to justify its circumstances and distract ourselves from the grim truth that, in the real world, David rarely defeats Goliath. Aed could die today, tomorrow, or the week after that. If he keeps protesting, it is almost an inevitability.
[…]
“In the most tasteless responses, social media users have remarked on Aed’s chiselled jaw and physique. This overt fetishisation of his suffering is obscene, but the idea that the pain and anguish of marginalised groups is a price worth paying for beautiful art is a notion far older than even the paintings of Delacroix.
“From Asad’s chemical weapon attacks in Syria, to the bodies of refugee children washed up on the beaches of Europe, images have a radical, empathy-spreading power that can change the world. But the flippant reaction this particular shot, of someone literally risking being shot, represents our growing detachment from pain and lack of collective responsibility for it.
“Don’t let this photograph fool you: there is nothing beautiful or poetic about the oppression of Palestinians. Beyond the lens, the constant misery of wasted life and unnecessary death in Gaza continues – we must not let that drift out of focus.”
“Don’t let this photograph fool you: there is nothing beautiful or poetic about the oppression of Palestinians. Beyond the lens, the constant misery of wasted life and unnecessary death in Gaza continues – we must not let that drift out of focus.”
Regardless of where everyone stands on the Palestinian situation, I believe as a fighter that I must use the Moral Virtues as a yardstick to guide me.
The Moral Virtues include:
Humility – Humility teaches me that all Men must have life, liberty and happiness, things that I possess as an American. Humility teaches me that I have the responsibility to learn as much as I can about Men in other parts of the world fighting for life, liberty and happiness.
Integrity – What is the truth about the Palestinians? What is their history, before WW2 and the British occupation, during the creation of the state of Israel, until today. What is Gaza all about, really? I want the truth. I seek the truth.
Selflessness – I seek, once I know the truth, to help those people in need. This is the Way of the Warrior.
Self Control – Unlike certain media figures and government officials who demonstrate no self control, as a fighter I pride myself on my self control. I am very careful not to shoot my mouth off about things I limited understanding about. The Palestinian situation is very complex. I need to know more before I share an opinion, which must be informed. I try to be humble.
Always show Respect – All people, especially the Palestinians, MUST be shown Respect. I believe this is a basic human right. The picture above asks us to show Palestinians Respect., regardless of what we believe about them. Right now I don’t see much Respect shown by anyone involved with this problem and its a huge one.
This site celebrates the Manly Warrior Male, in the ancient Greek tradition. We are Men who train and fight daily. We can be found in all walks of life. Just like the ancient Greek palaistra, we train in the fight gyms, working on perfecting our technique depending on the fight tradition chosen, and there are many worldwide. Some of us, imitating the Greek tradition, also fight each other nude. We have a strict moral warrior code, with Humility, Integrity, Selflessness, Self Control and always showing Respect in high regard. We always put training and fighting first, before hedonism and money. Where money is prized, Manliness is despised. Copyright material will be removed upon request.
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