LESSONS FROM OTHER CONFLICTS (2): NOTHING CONCEDED IS A NUISANCE

Silence in response to something we disagree with might be effective in an entertainment or public performance context like Stravinsky's music or George M. Cohan's singing; but shouldn't we be prepared to explain our own beliefs and values by engaging in discussions and arguments whenwe are challenged? How else can we show what is wrong and dangerous? Well, let's try out what that would mean in the context of RE-EDUCATING THE PRISONERS:

There were some interesting reactions by some of the prisoners in the Korean War to attempts to 're-educate' them. Some Turkish soldiers, in particular, were very successful in resisting attempts to indoctrinate them. Why? Because their leaders refused to cooperate right from the beginning and made it clear that if they were removed or shot, those next lower in rank would replace them and do the same. As a result of their stubborness, their captors left them alone and concentrated on other nationalities who were more easily engaged by their captors (compare their actions with those described in THE WARNING COMES TRUE).

Then there was the US soldier who was challenged by his captors to agree that General MacArthur was an imperialist aggressor. The soldier replied that MacArthur was a great American general. His captors struck the soldier down to the ground, stood him up and repeated the question. Again he gave the same answer and again they struck him down. This happened several times and the soldier kept giving the same answer each time. In the end, his captors left him alone to concentrated on prisoners who were more easily led into a 'constructive' dialogue.

People who are anxious to promote and expand the number of their believers and supporters, are interested in just that: their number. This being the case; people who are awkward, stubborn and resistant, can slow down the process of indoctrination and conversion. So if numbers matter and resources are limited, they ignore such people until everyone else has been converted. Meanwhile, as in the Korean War, time moves on and the issue becomes irrelevant.

As a short to medium term policy, this refusing to concede can sometimes work; but if you are obliged to obey 'the rules'; then try WORKING TO RULE