What we bury at Night is a riveting book that tells of the relationship between humanity and cruelty. Julian Aguon, narrates of the horrors through which the united States have implicated onto the people of Micronesia. The book is read in dialogue form where Julian interviews various people who have been affected by the tests carried out in the Bikini Islands till date and who are bearing witness to the death of a once prosperous and colourful culture of indigenous people. The book narrates the torture the American Government has imposed on these people over years with its people being in a helpless position. The American government detonated 67 nuclear bombs in the Bikini Islands and a hydrogen bomb that has since left the island uninhabitable and hazardous. People in the surrounding areas have become guinea pigs for Project 4.1 which explores the effects of radioactive substances on the human body, this is literal torture (Aguon, 2013).
From Class sessions, Torture is defined as something that causes irreparable damage and is only present where there is a severe imbalance of power. Aguon narrates the torture the people of Micronesia have had to endure through the years. Many of the people succumbing to its effects and praying for the safety and freedom of their children from the system put in place by the US. Evidence that the Political Influence of the United States has constantly allowed for people to turn a blind eye to its actions and approve the use of Torture is carried forward. The Micronesian people are an indigenous people that have faced extreme suffering due to the effects of radiation, and constantly face traumatizing situations such as birth of jelly like babies and other deformations of children. Women are unable to reproduce as intended and face health issues. The Populations culture has been eroded since the beginning of the Tests and the damage caused to the Bikini Islands. The United States has provided military options where the children brought up in these islands are enrolled into the military in order to fight the war on terror as the only option available.
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Women from the texts are tortured on a daily basis. Feminists have provided various definitions of what torture can be and how it is distinguished. There are three levels of torture which are isolated or separated to fall in the following order. The first stage is where pain is inflicted on a person in ever-intensifying manners, after which it amplifies itself in the person’s body and also to others outside the person’s body who are able to view the effects. The last stage is where the pain is no longer read as what it is, rather it is read as power. The three levels follow the conditions to which the people of Micronesia have gone through and from that identify torture in its real form (Gudorf, 2011). The first stage having occurred when United States detonated the nuclear bombs, the second taking place over the consequent years and human beings experiencing all manner of deformations and the third, where the pain being inflicted is identified as the power the United States Government has over their life.
In identifying the role the United states has played in this community, from the book, Amy Laura Hall explains why nothing, till date has been done about the actions of the US on the people of Micronesia. Through television, the United States has been able to downplay the effects of Torture through radioactive technology, and in addition, increase the people’s willingness and acceptance of torture as a last resort method to attain their objectives. Through the popular series 24, where the main character has to perform all tasks necessary in order to protect the United States. The show does not only depict Torture as a necessary Evil, but also takes up the mandate to bring out the negative side of ordinary people, who are now not against such actions provided the country is kept safe (Hall, 2013). It has become a Political victory where the lives of the indigenous people living in Micronesia has become expendable.
Deprivation of freedom and other necessary and basic needs of the people has allowed for the flourishing of the entrapment of the people. Unable to afford anything and often relying on their oppressors to provide for them, the people of Micronesia have become enslaved to the United States. The State governs the job opportunities for the sons of the community and often takes them out to never return. As the sole Political Power running ship in the Island, the people of Micronesia are yearning for freedom of their culture and their lives. The culture of fishermen and free spirits in a community where nothing is of one individual has since died with the poisonous waters, the uninhabitable environment and the migration of the local inhabitants off of the Bikini Islands. In an effort where the United States has used this method as a means to protect and safeguard the country after the events of 9/11, the people of the State and the United Nations do not hear the call as the state has proven the sacrifice of one culture and community could better aid the whole world through research (Gudorf, 2011). As a method of giving back to that same community, they offer jobs in the military.
The relationship between what torture is and how it is deeply engraved in the minds of oppressors as a necessary means to an end requires vast understanding. The text identifies various other forms of torture and how they have consequently been successful. They also identify a concept of the relationship between torture, dehumanization and power. From this, the understanding of torture is broadened with concepts in the course work being brought to life. The connection all three elements and the constant reiteration of torture as a necessary and legitimate act that ensures the provision of safety for the people is better understood. From the book, understanding the course work on levels and kinds of torture and why the success of it depends solely on the Political Power and Social standing one holds is eminently and understood.
References
Aguon, J. (2008). What we bury at night: Disposable humanity. Tokyo: Blue Ocean Press.
Gudorf, C. E. (2011). Feminist Approaches to religion and Torture . The Journal of Religious Ethics , 39(4): 613 – 621.
Hall, A.L. (2013). Torture and Television in the United States. Duke University. Hartford Seminary.
