Name any monument or memorial and find it on a pamphlet you pick up in a museum, or on the back of a map you purchase at a gas station... You visit these places, and ask any stranger to take multiple photographs of you with your family members so you can say you went there. You visit a MEMORIAL to commemorate death, not take fun family photos.
would you visit a grave stone, smile, and proceed to put it on your Snapchat story? No.
The pseudo-based ideal that a memorial becomes a tourist attraction probably leaves an uneasy feeling to those standing next to you paying their respects to those they lost in which the memorial was built for. "After a short time the memorial becomes another familiar object of the busy town centre, and is rarely looked at" (Whittick 44). Any memorial, Vietnam, Civil Rights, WW1/2, those were times to recognize hardship, conflict. The pure fact that somebody somewhere designed the monument is something to honor.
A statue, flag, or engraving in the sidewalk, marks a point in our history that grants reflection. Especially those whose lives were taken on a battle field, or those that are recognized due to great deeds. It is an emotional experience to visit a monument, as it should take your breath away each time.
Recognition is important.
You can take a picture later.
No comments:
Post a Comment