Culture, Again

I admit I've never been very good at thoroughly reading instructions.

I totally missed the Alternate Blog Topic, and although I've done 6-9, I want to write about this one!

I will keep it sweet and simple though, and simply make my point in beautiful point form

• Vonnegut dedicated Slaughter-House to a German taxi driver, who had fought for Germany
• He treats both sides of the conflict as equals
• He does not once attack Germany
• He does not once defend, or condone, Germany and it's actions in the war
• although he mentions Hitler, he does not say anything offensive, but just wishes that he was an innocent baby again
• "The dog who had sounded so ferocious in the winter distances, was a German shepherd. She was shivering. Her tail was between her legs. She had been borrowed that morning from a farmer. She had never been to war before. She had no idea what game was being played. Her name was Princess". Need Vonnegut say more? The German soldier body was just embodied by an innocent puppy-dog. They looked big, mean, tough, but had no idea what was going on.
• German soldiers are portrayed as fairly harmless and friendly, on the POW camp
• Although he portrays Americans in a rather pathetic way, I think that he had to do so to prove his point, and encourage a bit of good ol' humility

As an end note, I cannot think of any reasons today that can justify assimilation and culture conformity. I love multiculturalism. I relish in it, in the language, the diversity, the music and oh, the food! I am the first one to stand up for it and I will be the last to destroy its beauty.

However, Vonnegut is not from my time. The Holocaust and other events of genocide, are not either.

I can, and do understand that when one's life and family's lives are on the line, sacrifices must be made, and sometimes that is culture. It's unfortunate and tragic, but time and time again, history has proven the sad reality that humans have not valued one another as equals.

So, in conclusion:

Vonnegut loves America.

Vonnegut loves Germany.

Vonnegut regrets not having the opportunity to become more familiar with German culture.

I understand why, and I understand why he could not.