The past week or so we have been reading the graphic narrative: Safe Area Gorazde. Reading graphic narratives like this always have a way of making me take perspective and evaluate the countless privileges that have been a part of my life. The novel takes place in the UN declared “safe area” Gorazde and is told from the perspective of the author, Joe Sacco, and the people that he interviews. He goes from person to person asking them to recollect their experiences of the war and the ethnic cleansing that happened by the Serbians towards the non-Serbian/”disloyal” Serbian population of Bosnia. The author Joe Sacco challenges and addresses many concepts and issues amongst the remaining population.
One of the more prevalent and humbling issues covered is that of the choice, or lack thereof, for the population of Gorazde. Throughout the novel Sacco represents different things to the citizens, he represents America, the english language, journalism, and most of all, he represents the idea of escape. The idea of a better life out there that is modern and filled with wonderful material items like Levi jeans, pretty girls and handsome men. This idea of escape revolves around elements of choice, for the Gorazdans all of their choices are limited. The act of leaving is not within their reach, Sacco represents choice as much as he represents escape. Choice and escape are entangled, they coincide and align with each other.
Within the society that the Gorazdans have been left with, choices are despairingly limited. They can’t leave Gorazde because they are still surrounded by hostile Serbian forces. Within Gorazde their choices are limited, what with a crippled economy and practically already knowing everyone within the city.
There are elements in the book that illustrate examples of when a choice, that may seem so unimportant and irrelevant to us westerners, is everything they have. In the section “Total War” there is a panel where you see a child unwrapping a candy in his hands with a look of bliss on his face (132). Sacco sets up the scene and describes how, when it comes to candy, he gives the children the choice of what they will do with it. Instead of giving the candy to their parents, or having the children work for the candy, he just lets them have it. He lets the children have this tiny element of sanity and hope be entirely theirs, giving them complete control. This may seem like an irrelevant and minimal choice to us, but it means something to the children.
The element of choice in this panel illustrates the spectrum of control present for the citizens. For them being able to choose what they do with their candies is a relatively large task. Whereas for us in the western world a big choice is considered what kind of car we’ll buy, or what university we’re going to attend. Our surroundings and upbringings have gifted us with more than we even realize. For us the element of choice is inherent, we expect and demand numerous choices. When you go out for a nice meal you expect options, you expect to choose what you please and desire. If you don’t like anything on the menu you go to a different restaurant. Choice is everywhere, choice is freedom and individuality, it creates and sculpt our identity. What we choose to do with our life determines who we are as people. We take for granted the limitlessness of our lives compared to other ones. What would your life look like if choice was taken from you? Look at yourself and think about what choice means and looks like in your everyday life? Acknowledge the privilege that so many of us have been lucky enough to possess.
Thanks for reading,
Isaiah
Sources:
Sacco, Joe. “Total War.” Safe Area Goražde. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics, 2000. 132. Print.
Wow, this was really well written. I can tell that you actually read the book. Something that really resonated with me from your blog was when you talked about how something that seems so insignificant to us can mean the world to the people in Gorazde. Sometimes its easy to take for granted what we have, in fact, I’m sure I take things for granted far too often. I mean, I had candy today and didn’t think anything of it. Thats why I’m so thankful for perspective changing books such as Safe Area Gorazde. It gives me a glimpse into what life could be like had I been born in another part of the world, or been born at a different period in history. It makes me feel fortunate for what I have. In regards to your request to look at my life if I had no free choice, I think that would hardly be a life at all. I think that free choice gives so much meaning to life. What choice means to me is that it allows me to change myself for what I want. Choice is what allows me to be me. Without choice we are just robots programed to do whatever. That gets me thinking though, do we reaaaally have free choice. Like how much of our thoughts are dictated by big corporations, or media, or fear, you know? Maybe we are just being controlled and manipulated by these forces that we have a difficult time seeing. I dunno. I just think and hope that we do have free choice. Or maybe just the illusion of free choice is enough for me. I mean, ideally though I’ve got more than that. I think though by educating yourself on the world around you you’ll be able to be an enlightened individual and that will allow you to live freely.