Echoes of a Shared History (also)

I am watching the United States fall apart in front of my eyes. We have a President who has steamrolled the law and the Constitution - which are the only thing that defines us as a country. We aren't all Germans or Japanese or English, we are (or are descendants of) Americans by choice. Even our national motto - E Pluribus Unum - stands for this, "Out of Many, One". I am greatly saddened by this change in American morals. I am freaked out by this effort, supported by a major party, to tear us apart. I am devastated by the easy way our history is being shat upon.

Monument to the Battle of Setjeska

Which is why I am fascinated by the Yugoslavian Spomenik - or Monument in Serbo-Croat. Yugoslavia was a federation of areas after WWI, some independent previously (Serbia and Montenegro), some provinces of other bigger countries (Bosnia, Slovenia and Croatia) and others had been lost by the losing side (North Macedonia and Kosovo). It was an artificial country and they gave them a King.  It didn't really last long as Kingdom, then WWII came.

A happy Scooter at Setjeska

One of the fiercest champions of the Axis resistance was lead by Josip Tito. He fought the Facists and the Nazis who set up puppet governments. He led the communists, but also the non-communist partisans who just hated the axis powers.

After the war, Tito then led Yugoslavia. He lead a semi-communist state that was open to the West and didn't rely on Moscow (much like the path China would ultimately take). Tito was multi-cultural within Yugoslavia (born of a Slovene mother and a Croat Father) and beloved. In some parts of ex-Yugoslavia, like Bosnia and North Macadonia, he is still loved.

But he knew the country he grew up protecting and loved was a weak federation. He tried to create a unified history using monuments to shared experiences. Monuments to World War II fighters, let's say. Or monuments to various Yugoslavians fighting against the Ottomans (the Empire, not the furniture). He hoped that these monuments (or "Spomenik) would help create a shared history. The Spomenik above, "Tribute to the Battle at Setjeska" was created in the Valley of Heroes - where Tito's combined Yugoslavian partisans beat the Germans.

But his desire butted up against the generations old hatred of some Yugoslavians, and it didn't work. When Marshall Tito died, the various states of the Federation left the country in dribs and drabs. And so these Spomenik fell into disrepair in most places.

To me, they are the sad reminders that some people will barrel along, defining "us" versus "them" in such a way as to rip a country apart. Presidnt Trump is the first President in my knowledge that, in times of crisis, plays "us" against "them". Even President Lincoln during the US Civil War proclaimed a love of all Americans. President Trump has never claimed that over half the country is part of America. He constantly divides us Americans.

A Tribute to the Fallen Fighters of WWII in Niksic (Montenegro)

As you see the Spomenik and the country of Yugoslavia fall into disrepair and neglect, you see the same thing starting in America. Not with monuments, but with a President and Republican party that see Democrats, scientists and those that disagree with them being actively ignored, with great damage to the country and my psyche.  

Barutana - Monument to Fallen Heroes from the region

So, I want to move to Montenegro and take care of a Spomenik. I cannot deal with Republican HATE, and I don't think I have to. If it's every American for themselves, then why shouldn't I get the fuck out of Dodge?

I would take care of Barutana. It is a tribute to the people of the Barutana region, the upland area around Montenegro's two capitals, that perished in the wars of the 20th century. Montenegro entered WWI in support of its ally, Serbia. They led the first successful uprising against the German powers in World War 1 and the first successful uprising against the Italian powers in WWII.

The Conditions on the ground in Barutana.

I think my mental health would be improved by staying a stint in Montenegro helping to rebuild, rather than the United states, watching a madman tearing my country apart. 

The effort and dollars and hope I spent supporting Pete Buttigieg should probably be put to some better use now.

Also - please comment here. I am screaming into the dark!