This is a Human Thing

Originally posted in January 2017. Movie seen at Oswego 7 Cinemas in Oswego, NY.

A REFLECTION ON THE MOVIE PATRIOTS DAY

Michael DeNobile discusses the 2017 box office hit, Patriot’s Day and provides insight regarding the film’s ethical questions.

This isn't a conservative thing or a liberal thing. It isn't a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Whatever Party thing. This isn't a Christian, Jewish, Muslim thing either. It's not a white, black, brown, yellow, red thing. This isn't a gay/straight thing.

This is a human thing.

And until we realize that, the war will never be won.

Some deny that the war even exists. They walk through this world thinking their bubble is the way of existence, they go to work, pay the bills, support a family. Everything is under control.

Until the moment when the explosions shatter that security, or bullets rip through flesh, or the body of an eight year old lies under a sheet on a cold sidewalk for hours.

But this war I speak of, these are only their after effects. I am not speaking of a war of ideologies, bombs, bullets, and weapons. I am speaking of a deeper, silent war. A war humanity was once in touch with but seems to have lost its hold on it.

All in this world, whether you wish to deny it or accept it, is spiritual warfare. There is good and there is evil. There is love and there is hate. But the problem we have is that we look around our neighborhoods and point the guns at each other, not realizing that we have been on the same team all along.

A wise man once said that war is always the failure of humanity. They say history is written by the victors, but in reality, there are no victors but merely those who had the resolve to endure the failure.

Some are worried that we won't win the war on terror. But it was won long before it was started. The war on terror was won the moment we became America--we became the United States--when Americans stood up in the colony known as Massachusetts and demanded that tyranny be no more.

We are Americans. We are one people. We are brothers and sisters. And as long as we continue to love--or remember how we once did love--one another, then the war between good and evil will always be won.

We aren't perfect, but we are the most perfect that has stood the test of time.

No matter who tries to beat us down, regardless of race, creed, color--we won because we continue to be attacked. Wars are won when you are the one who endures the failure. Hate will continue to exist in this world as long as there are humans with free will. Endure the failures of humanity. Win the wars. Because we are Boston strong.