So far, it seems as if though Riverbend has a clear vision on who her enemies are — The Americans. Although there are other enemies in Iraq such as looters and gang members, she mentions the Americans much more frequently. “Americans don’t bother raiding the houses in areas like that… raids are exclusively for decent people who can’t shoot back or attack. Raids are for the poor people in Ramadi, Ba’aquba and Mosul.” Looking back at our previous assignments, I noticed that author O’Connor and director Koppola creates an ambiguous outlook on who the enemy is. However, Riverbend starts her first blog by blaming the Americans for all of their dangers on the way to her aunt’s home. It’s saddening to see how cautious Iraqis had to be in order to stay alive. They had enemies both inside and outside of their own countries, never knowing who they can and cannot trust.
Reading this blog, it surprised me how trained Riverbend’s family was. They were ready to leave the house in case of any emergency. They slept in clothes with paperwork in their pockets. They had to cope with the constant noises of helicopters and explosions. They listened to the radios and became overwhelmed with fears of American tanks coming near their homes. They were ready, yet afraid for their lives. And in this situation, their common sense had to overpower their fear.
It seems silly, but as I was reading through her blogs, I compared what it is like for Riverbend to live during the Iraq War to my experiences during hurricane season. Of course, the difference is vast. She and I were living in constant fear, not knowing when to evacuate, always prepared to leave in case of an emergency. However, unlike the author, I knew who I could trust.
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