These are my thoughts about the murder of alternative kids in Iraq, and an article which I wrote about it. I recommend you read the article first, or read the Catcher in the Rye. Just keep reading.
During my short, not particularly illustrious foray into journalism thus far, I’ve found myself playing a few parts that haven’t been worn well. Good journalism demands the right mindset, preferably the insight of an insider, and the ability to become a conduit for the story and the characters involved.
No-one will take your writing seriously if you don’t understand. The transparency of striving for comprehension, to my critical eye, just makes the reader a little uncomfortable. They know that you are not the right man or woman for the job.
On the other hand, sometimes a story just fits like a glove.
Reports emerged from Iraq last weekend of Morality Police (think Saudi’s Muttawa) murdering young Iraqis because of their refusal to conform. Media focus was on ’emo’ culture, but newspapers and websites were running images of normal looking kids wearing tight jeans and gel in their hair. Approximately 100 kids were feared to have been killed at that point, which made me sad.
Western emo culture doesn’t resonate with me personally, but the sickening repression of young people trying to express themselves most certainly does. My first instinct? Expose the evil b*****ds, tear their culture to shreds, what kind of human beings commit such despicable, cowardly, disgusting atrocities?
Then I remembered, it’s human nature. This made me sadder still.
Sweeping statement? Generalisation? Maybe, but the US and the UK both have a history of trying to beat the spirit of rebellion out of their youth, and both have created an ideological apparatus which drives conformist kids to ostricise anyone different. Western governments may not murder their curious children, but they don’t neccassarily embrace them either.
Iraqi culture is fundamentally different: Iraqis don’t worship at the secular churches of football or shopping, religious teachings dictate their scope of expression, activity, clothing… it’s not wrong, but it’s different; massively different. Murdering teenagers, however, is unequivocally wrong.
Herein lies my journalistic dillema: Am I writing to undermine a repressive regime although I understand their culture and the concern over Westernisation? Am I writing as someone who used to be a teenager, associated himself with punk culture and rebelled against what I was expected to be? Or am I responsible enough to be objective, refuse to fan the flames, and report the truth I can find?
My opinion is thus: If you grow up in an occupied territory, surrounded by violence, haunted by death, schooled in religion and religious anger, it takes a great deal of intelligence and bravery to even consider looking for an alternative way to live, be it music culture, fashion, anything… To be killed for having the spirit of youth is mind-blowing, ridiculous, insane…
If (as I hope), this view didn’t come through from my news article, you now know that I’m infuriated. And I want you to know.
Target Aquired | Mission Aborted 