Kite Runner

This is an R rated post. Fair warning.











I remember from some dusty part of my mind a quote something to the effect that Travel is counter to prejudice. I took it to mean that travel will open your mind, perhaps even cure a few racial prejudices that you may have been harboring.

This travel to this place has done quite the opposite. I had no real high opinion of the local population, not a disapproval either, just a feeling that it sucks to be them, that they have been hurt much. It’s a hard life and I feel bad about it.

I was talking with our interpreter the other night, we somehow got onto a very random subject, but it really lit me up and made me think. We were discussing children and I learned that in this culture, its socially acceptable to rape a child as a form of punishment. I understand that people are fairly fucked up. People as a whole are a deprived bunch of animals. I understand that people’s idea of rising children differ from parent to parent. Some may think spanking is abuse, others use it as teaching for a child, depends on your own perspective.

I used to think it was a global idea that fucking an 8 year old in the ass is wrong. Turns out I was incorrect.

Here, a good ole ass rape is a step more sever than a spanking. It is a socially acceptable form of punishment. Perhaps I am just ignorant. I know that it happens to children the world around, but usually is met with social outcry when it is put under the light. It’s criminal. It is “wrong”.

I hate this place. I am starting to hate the people. I know its general, broad, a sweeping statement. There is not a lot of good in this place. I fear that there is not a lot of good in the people. I would not trade one of my Marines for any number of them. Yes I am making a judgment call. I am placing a value on a whole people group a dangerous thing for a mortal man to do. I never said I was anything but an ignorant human. But this place is wrong.

I can not bring my heart to love these people.