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Island of a Thousand Mirrors


A stunning literary debut set during the Sri Lankan Civil War
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Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

Created: 09/12/14

Replies: 9

Posted Sep. 12, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

The riots in 1983 are described as a pivot point in the history of Sri Lanka and in the plot of the book. Were these scenes similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?


Posted Sep. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jillf

Join Date: 07/30/13

Posts: 22

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

Just turn on the news. Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia. Tribe against tribe, neighbor vs. Neighbor. Women and children caught in the middle without options or a place to hide. even here in America to some small extent. A woman is raped. "What was she wearing?" Domestic violence. "She's stupid or weak. Why doesn't she just leave?" The beauty of literature such as this. Is that it draws you in. Changes a small part of your soul and provides a voice to those who can't speak for themselves.


Posted Sep. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

I think that riots worldwide are the result of what is perceived as unfair treatment by the haves of the
have-nots. These stations in life are usually accidents of birth related to color, ethnicity, sex, religion, and financial means. Unfortunately history repeats itself in this regard and it has been going on as long as the human race has existed and in the poorer countries of the world where there has been little attention paid by the wealthier and mostly more democratic countries it is still an extremely current problem.


Posted Sep. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Navy Mom

Join Date: 04/12/12

Posts: 294

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

What happened here is nothing new and unfortunately continues to happen. I hate to say it is human nature, but it seems humans seem to need to feel better than someone else. Then the people who are put down are eventually going to revolt or disappear through genocide. We see it on a smaller scale even in our schools where bullying is a problem. It seems hate is easy to stir up in people. I so wish it wasn't so.


Posted Sep. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mariannes

Join Date: 12/17/12

Posts: 206

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

I agree that there has always been pretty much been constant war and strife somewhere in the world. I agree, too, that people's desire for power, including power through wealth, is a major cause.


Posted Sep. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynneb

Join Date: 08/23/11

Posts: 118

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

As we all know these incidents described in Sri Lanka took place in many other African countries where genocide was carried out by one cultural group against another. It continues in the Middle East and before that area it was in Eastern Europe. Unfortunately history keeps repeating itself with these civil wars over religious and cultural views. The author did make an honorable attempt to show the uselessness of war in the case of Sri Lanka and how many educated people could come to an understanding of these differences without hatred.


Posted Sep. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

Sadly, genocide and riots are a part of history around the world, past and present. The Bolivian election of Evo Morales, an indigenous man, years ago was an example of the minority elite ruling party eventually being unable to control the masses who lived in poverty. American history books are finally being honest about the treatment of European settlers to Native Americans and the treaties we routinely broke.


Posted Sep. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolynv

Join Date: 04/17/11

Posts: 16

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

It made me think of the Islamic State.


Posted Sep. 25, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deeh

Join Date: 03/03/12

Posts: 239

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

Civil war in any area is painful to both sides. We have only to look at our own history to see what we were capable of and continue to be capable of.


Posted Oct. 01, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mal

Join Date: 09/09/13

Posts: 164

RE: Were the 1983 riots similar to painful moments in other parts of the world?

Yes. Civil War has occurred in numerous locations, reminds me of other instances globally.


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