Living on the Edge: Civil War, Trauma, and Hope in Uncertain Times

 

Interestingly, Hollywood seems to be anticipating a future that weighs heavily on many American minds: a potential civil war. In Spring 2024, director Alex Garland brings us "Civil War," a film tackling this unsettling possibility. For roughly half the US population, this fictionalized portrayal may feel eerily close to reality. Unfortunately, I count myself among them.

While media often jokes about a brewing civil war, it's a topic rarely taken seriously. But for those of us harboring such anxieties, "Civil War" offers a glimpse into what it might look like, a chilling alternative to the world we know.

Speaking of unsettling narratives, Joe and I recently watched "The World Left Behind" on Netflix. This similarly themed film, boasting a stellar cast including Ethan Hawke, Julie Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Kevin Bacon, kept us on the edge of our seats until its abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion. The world crumbles in the film: the internet goes down, fear and paranoia grip the populace, and misinformation thrives. We see one group swayed by North Korean propaganda, another by Iranian fabrications, both seemingly plausible in the chaos. A teenager's sudden tooth loss throws the nature of the crisis into further uncertainty, leaving us to grapple with the possibility of bug bites or radiation.

The film hints at a hidden bunker, offering potential salvation. But clues are cryptic, and the client's last-minute financial request followed by a cryptic farewell only add to the overall sense of ambiguity. At times, I wondered if an AI scripted the film, given its unresolved nature. Perhaps there's a reason for this open-endedness; some movies are meant to provoke rather than provide answers.

The reality is, none of us have experienced war like the kind depicted in "Civil War" or witnessed in other parts of the world. I, for one, hope I never do. My understanding comes from harrowing images and fictional portrayals, glimpses into a chaotic world I desperately want to avoid. I'm painfully aware of how our preconceived notions of how we'd react in crisis can be wildly inaccurate.

Take the statistic that one in three women will experience sexual assault. Look around a room of fifteen women, and statistically, five have survived such trauma. My own experience contradicts the stereotypical image of violence. Time stretches, the event drags into an eternity, and survival often requires submission. It was during that ordeal that I made my peace with God and mentally said goodbye to my loved ones, fearing I'd never see them again.

My experience was different; my calmness in the face of trauma surprised me. I was able to think rationally, a stark contrast to the expected terror. This personal anecdote highlights the diversity of human response to trauma. In a potential civil war, will people run, fight, or freeze?

Instead of resorting to violence, I believe we need to prioritize conflict resolution skills, a message I often share with others. Republicans posting "1776" memes and threats of revolution only underscore the urgent need for dialogue and alternative solutions. If we can't talk it out, reaching for firearms becomes the default, and that's a future I refuse to accept.

Let "Civil War" serve as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the fragility of peace and the importance of seeking understanding over conflict. Peace and love to all.