Emad Barsoum writes: How to slay a horse
My very dear friend the intellectual and decent Sawsan Daher known as Sue, argued with me persistently, after my last article where I emphasized the state of restlessness among our society nowadays, insisting that happiness is just a state of mind!
Although generally this could be true, the state of mind can only be shaped by the collective current conditions. People in modern societies and technically advanced environments are still struggling hard to find a proper place to live with dignity and self-sufficiency, yetcannot reach that point, accordingly, their minds could never be in a state of happiness, consequently leading to a restless society.
As we were amicably arguing, I remembered the 1995 movie “In pursuit of honour”, directed by Ken Olin, where it tells the purported story of how in the 1930’s the US Army decided to terminate the branch of cavalry, due to the modern war equipment and new battles requirement. Thus, getting rid of the horses, to save the expenses of feeding them and the care required. In a very painful and horrific scene, the movie showed how those beautiful and noble creatures were massively and brutally slaughtered using heavy machine guns somewhere in the desert of southern United States. However, one lieutenant with few of his soldiers, decided to save as many as they can byleading them all the way to the north and across to Canada; since it is known as the country of hope,dignity, honour, and respect. Mission accomplished, the horses arrived in Canada, where the Mounties, with their iconic scarlet uniforms, welcomed the herd and the military men who accompanied them.
What a triumphant scene, leading the horses to a safe land, indeed that is what Canada represents, and throughout its short history Canada has always beenthe safe heaven for man.
Nevertheless, safety is not solely a physical state or material one, it is primarily the moral serenity and security, which could only be reached through the feeling of self-satisfaction, belonging, and carefree life, and such conditions are only achievable through adeserved job and sense of fulfilment.
The bullets that were directed to the wonderful horses are now striking through the bodies and heads of some of those people, who settled on this land for all the magnificent things that it grants. However, for some employers, they view jobseekers, who possess all the knowledge and experience to perform, as those horses who are of no use. Either because of their age, or theirrich employment history. Oftentimes, employers are intimidated by the qualifications that the intervieweemight posses based on their broad work experience.
What a disgrace, when a number of decision makers and high management staff would disregard the experience and knowledge of those jobseekers, because they falsely consider them a threat, and hence deprive the right people from their right to have a proper job.
When would they stop from slaying the horses that are still capable of running, fighting, and winning!
