Bearded Orientals: Making the Empire Cross. Priscilla Bracks (2007)
On Tuesday 3 May I made a point of stating I thought the USA's execution of Osama Bin Laden must be considered a hollow victory and recent photographs and video footage of Bin Laden, in what is being referred to as his last days, certainly shows his frailty. His ambush and slaughter by USA Navy Seals, described by a writer with the New York Times, as America’s Jedi knights was far from heroic or glorious in my mind and tantamount to a group of thugs attacking an elderly person. And yet, Brimming with pride, President Barack Obama on Friday met and honored the U.S. commandos he sent after terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, saluting them on behalf of America and the world with the words 'Job well done',In a private discussion I had on Friday I remarked that I could see no difference between al-Qaeda and the USA since both are involved in what is commonly referred to as terrorism. My opinion is one also expressed by Peter Oborne, London Daily Telegraph's chief political commentator, who states in his article this morning:
I'm amused with the rhetoric surrounding bin Laden, such as the notion put forth by writers for the New York Times that for the past five years Osama was involved in dark arts. I'm not sure whether the writer is a fan of Harry Potter or whether they really believe that bin Laden was involved in performing rituals associated with Black Magic. Perhaps their rhetoric reflects Christian demonology, which in part associated dark skin with demons - a little unusual since Christ would have looked very much like Osama. Of course we shouldn't really be too surprised that these writers draw upon science fiction or fantasy figures, for America appears to be in an hallucination, which revolves around itself as world savior.
Priscilla Bracks amazing artwork (above) which depicts a double portrait of Osama bin Laden and Jesus Christ, attracted much controversy when she entered it in the Blake religious prize in 2007. It was defended by organizers since the competition is intended to encourage discussion about spirituality in society. The point I'm attempting to make here and one I think being made by the artist in this current climate, is, that if we're on a witch-hunt, it's becoming increasing difficult to separate Christ from Anti-Christ, good from evil, fact from fiction!
Priscilla Bracks amazing artwork (above) which depicts a double portrait of Osama bin Laden and Jesus Christ, attracted much controversy when she entered it in the Blake religious prize in 2007. It was defended by organizers since the competition is intended to encourage discussion about spirituality in society. The point I'm attempting to make here and one I think being made by the artist in this current climate, is, that if we're on a witch-hunt, it's becoming increasing difficult to separate Christ from Anti-Christ, good from evil, fact from fiction!
He was not an old man, perhaps you should actually provide a guide for what you consider old? He may have had an illness, (which he had since before 2001) but his 'body politic' was far reaching and included many bodies willing to die and kill for him. Power extends beyond the flesh. Your definition is simplistic. You should also remember that your voice as a woman would not be heard if you lived in a country where, as Osama himself professed, women should not be educated, heard or seen.
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, I don't think 54 is old, but the media keeps referring to him as 'an old man'. You misunderstand. I'm not supporting bin Laden's actions or the actions of his followers - who were more likely willing to kill for an ideology, rather than for bin Laden himself (I may be wrong).
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course I understand that my voice as a woman would not be heard... as you point out. I don't write these things in a void!
I'm simply commenting on media portrayals of bin Laden and making creative connections. You call the limited space of blogging and my posts simplistic, well I'm not going to spend my whole day teasing out all of the issues. I focused on one aspect and was hoping to open up discussion about the slippage between concepts of good and evil and you give me information I already know. Do you have anything else, other than the usual 'fear and hate' message towards this man and Islam in general?
Don't think Usama thought himself as a prophet. Although Omar and the Talib were deeply religious, Usama was engaged in the politics of revolution, and religion was a means, rather than the end, to his struggle. He was provided sanctuary, rather than a base, in Afghanistan, and the Talib hierarchy didn't take his secular connections that seriously, until 2001. Omar is said to have been astounded when the US asked him to hand Usama over, for example, and mystified as to why he was a suspect.
ReplyDeleteI do think that Priscilla Bracks engaged with Catholic Liberation Theology of the 1960s in her painting of Jesus/Usama. Its secular reference empties it of spiritual possibilities, for me. "Blessed are the peacemakers", Jesus said. Although there is a little of Christ (and Usama) in us all, Jesus was no liberation theologist.
And bin Laden's revolution was to fight against two decades of Soviet and US invasion of his country, which contributed to current situation of 7.5 million people threatened with poverty and starvation, 500,000 disabled orphans, a million people dead and thousands of refugees.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Professor Phil Gasper, The US who recently killed bin Laden, 'helped to create both Osama bin Laden and the fundamentalist Taliban regime that...' sheltered him. See:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_CIA_Taliban.html
I don't understand why you say PB's photomontage 'secular reference empties it of spiritual possibilities'. For me, this image ask us to consider the affinities between Christianity and Islam - and here, a little quote from the Bible:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
-Proverbs 31:8-9
and from the Quran:
"Do not turn away a poor man...even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you...God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.
(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376)
The conduct of war is incompatible with Christian (and Muslim) spirituality, which condemns violence of all kinds in the strongest possible terms.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet they continue to wage war against each other! Each hungry for something different...
ReplyDeleteDesire for worldly stuff: territory, wealth, conquest, power, are secular preoccupations. Even when conducted in the name of religion those are not spiritual pursuits.
ReplyDelete