There is an indecency in forcing someones home open, to be pillaged, then celebrating in such behaviour by showing of what was found. Personal items. Men, relishing in the intimate secrets of a woman. Lingerie and other personal apparel to be strewn and displayed for a voyeurs gaze. A final victory of indignity that the powerful express over those who are ruled and dominated. Among the mass murder and starvation we witnessed more viral footage of Israeli soldiers parading their victims lingerie as an expression of victory in Palestine. The former owner of the lingerie, either dead or living, but homeless for certain.
It reminded me of a friend who had an incident with the South Australian police, they confiscated his phone because he had recorded them do something they were not meant to be doing. They were unable to find the recording though they did discover intimate photos that a husband and wife share between themselves. While in custody a police officer made the comment about how sexy the wife looked in her Valentines day lingerie. The police man smugly described to his thoughts upon seeing such a photo. The power disparity apparent. The husband could do nothing but co-operate. The might of the violent monopoly ensured as such. That can’t happen! Cries the naive who turn the other way repeatedly when it does happen. The belief that the monopoly will investigate itself and those who thrive within shall respect their roles. Just some bad apples. Like that IDF soldier, he is the bad apple while the others are making genocide possible.
When the Australian Federal Police raided journalists over the Afghan war crime allegations it was another moment that revealed the disparity between the powerful and powerless. Australian press freedom took a hit and the government showed that it’s only concern was retention of power. It’s not political parties, just government. Annika Smethurst suffered the indignity of the federal police going through her home, devices included. Placing her underwear and other very personal items on her bed to be photographed, even if such items were unrelated to the investigation. The treatment and shaming of the journalist in such a matter was an act of intimidation. The powerful had sent their message to the woman journalist who dared report. Shut up, Bitch!
The allies lost the war in Afghanistan and hundreds of thousand of people died. Many continue to do so from the remnants of what was left behind. Just as the war on Vietnam was lost, the legacy a historical dark spot for foreign policy. Millions of people killed and injured. It’s what the powerful do. In the retreat from Afghanistan the government did not want it to be known what was occurring there, what it’s warriors may have been doing. And what Australian government officials may have been aware of. The crime was in reporting on such crimes, killing children and the unarmed, it’s what the powerful do.
We are now witnessing a genocide in Palestine. The soldiers flashing underwear in such a manner is a micro moment of vileness in an ocean of atrocities. It’s not a trait of just the Israeli’s. It is a universal expression of those who seek power and who serve it. It’s how they view those who are ruled or who would defy such power. The romance of the powerful is that benevolence ensures a positive outcome, despite some sacrifice or that the powerful will police themselves, and do as it does with consideration, moderation and ultimately for the greater good of those ruled. Whether the ruled want it it or not. The consent is assumed and defined by the powerful, it’s mandated. The consent is given by default.
To report on such moments of injustice can very well be an illegal act. To discuss it, to question it to even know about it. There seems to be a comfort for many in allowing such an imbalance. Perhaps because they find employment inside the structures of power, they are dependent on it. The status quo is good to them. Like the friend who turns the other way while his mate bashes his wife or the lad who watches on while his buddies rape the girl. It’s none of their business or they can look past such indignities and disgusting acts. Those cops are just doing a job, otherwise good blokes. That soldier is letting of stress while in a war against a terror group, he probably is a really nice person. Just like the snipers who have been shooting children in the head or the drone operators destroying injured soldiers in Russia-Ukraine. The Japanese soldiers who cried for their mother after bayoneting babies, when a bayonet had stabbed them, the power of the State or the gang, or mob ensures that such imbalances may occur. Gas chambers and torture, perfectly legal, because the law is the power.
It’s easy to romance good versus evil in fiction. To admit and omit as the writer pleases. In life it’s all about perspective, those who do evil and are on the side of it pretend that it’s for a cause or that they themselves are powerless. Those feds raiding the journalists or the soldier displaying a woman’s underwear all just pawns on a chessboard, morally empty. Or the morality is that they see themselves as crusaders, how dare that woman journalist defy the authority, how dare the citizen record an incident of abuse, how dare that Palestinian lady live. There is nothing the powerless can do. They are told that it’s fair or just to be powerless. The powerful and it’s enablers will use language of justice but it is always in their favour. The powerless must comply, yield and when those moments arise, suffer. With law on their side, the rapist always gains consent, even if the victims scream, “NO!” repeatedly.
The lack of outrage, care or the fact that so many want the powerful to grow in power is frightening. It’s even a bit depressing really. What does it say about a society or even you if you are fine with it all. But then again if there is nothing you can do, what does that say about your relationship with the powerful. Those who rule you, for your own good. Apparently even for the good of those no dying and dead.
