Introduction
Most nations have advanced technologically and industrially in the world of today. As a result, while the world has improved in certain ways, it has also been worse in others. In his book Day of Destruction, Days of Revolt, Chris Hedges discusses a number of topics that are having an impact on the globe today in various ways. In his book, he highlights the issues of war and hypocrisy. Furthermore, by researching the existing conditions in five distinct American cities, he was able to create the ideal plot. The setting of the book is the typical situations of the five cities where Chris brings out the perception of the society and the world as a whole about the cities and the reality covered behind the false impression. This study aims to look into the different issues raised in Chris Hedge's book mainly the cause of the destruction of the five cities.
The Perception of Developed Countries
The typical perception is that war and crime only exist in the developing countries in the present day society. The author of the book tries to stop the hypocrisy by uncovering the real issues which take place in the five cities which are located in the United States. The author aims at proving the normal perception about the developed countries wrong. The usual understanding is that where the developed nations are stable economically, they have achieved political stability, they have almost zero poverty levels. In short, the developed countries could be named paradises where the citizens of these states don't relate to suffering. Hedges idea in the book shows the reader that the reality in these cities say otherwise since the situations are entirely controversial to the known notion. He also strengthens his claims through the actual testimonies of individuals who have grown up and lived in these cities the whole of their lives.
War and Cruelty as Causes of Suffering
The book has brought out war and cruelty as the first reason behind the suffering of the people in the cities. The author has related the occurrences of war and brutality with the history of the cities, specifically in Pine Ridge. The current state of the city can be attributed to policies that were implemented in the past and which resulted in genocides. The perception of economic and political stability is not reflected in this city. The actual situation of the city shows that Pine Ridge hosts the most significant percentage of poor and unemployed people in the United States. The average salary of an individual in the city is between $2,600-3,500 annually. In this city, there is a lot of sexual abuse, violence and drug abuse, particularly alcoholism. The author gives an example of Verlyn Long, a 62-year-old woman. She tells the author that almost all the people she grew up with were already dead. There is also Michael Candor whose parents and siblings committed suicide and others were murdered. Michael also goes to prison and gets raped. These occurrences show that the situation in this city is even worse than expected. With this evidence, the author has proven that suffering has been caused by consequences of violence and war, both in the past and in the present.
Industrialization as a Cause of Suffering
In the next chapter, Hedge brings out industrialization as the cause of suffering in the city of Camden. During the years of revolution, there rose a great number of industries in the city. As such, the economy of the city had tremendously grown. It harbored the best hotels such as Walt Whitman and industries, such as the Campbell Soup Company and the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, in the world. As such, the cost of labor rose to very high standards for the developed industries to withdraw. More so, there was cheap and available labor in other regions. The industries then opted to move out in search of cheap and readily available labor. The city was then deserted which led to its economic fall. As such, the crime rate in the city rose since every individual wants to grab the leftovers for themselves. There were increased cases of armed robbery such as that which led to the death of Silvia Ramos' husband. In the book, Hedged shows that prostitution and crime are what is left in the city. The rate of poverty is also gradually increasing. It is quite clear how the rise of industrialization has caused suffering in the city and its dwellers.
Present Day Slavery
The third cause of suffering in the cities mentioned in the book is the present day slavery where people act as sacrificial lambs to make other people's lives better. In this case, the author gives a good example using Welch in West Virginia. In the region, coal mining is the order of the day. In the past, the settlers found the place full of resources and rich in food. With time, there came the discovery of coal which led to the destruction of the land and exploitation of the primary resources. As such, more than 800 miles 2 of the Appalachians have been destroyed. There is also 1000 miles of streams which have been damaged alongside the Appalachians. The people in this region have to endure the widespread disease outbreaks and heavy work for very few wages a day. The people face all that suffering for the sake survival and to provide high-class kind of life to those who need electricity to light their houses all night as well as electric brushes. An example is Rudy Kelly who suffered from black lung which led to several operations. People have become very self-centered in the world since they grab wealth for personal gain while others lack basic necessity. The author expresses his disappointment in the animosity and greed that people have developed.
Greed and Hostility in Immokalee, Florida
Greed and hostility did more damage than previously assumed. In Immokalee, Florida, the situation is pathetic. There are very many immigrants living in the city. Initially, these immigrants come from third world countries and countries which are at war. The people migrate to developed nations like Florida to look for a better life and survival. However, the host citizens think negatively about the immigrants and treat them as though they were animals. The host citizens feel that the immigrants are the reason behind their economic deterioration while these immigrants are the reasons why their economies are so stable. The immigrants perform a lot of work for very little pay in deplorable working and living conditions. As such, Ana narrates her situation to the author where she gives the harsh experiences where went through in the desert while crossing to Florida, only to find the situation in Florida to be worse.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the author has managed to show the reader the difference between the illusion and reality. The author has included several occurrences and incidences which were associated with the actual situations in the cities which are perceived to host excellent conditions of life. The actual level of suffering of the citizens in the five cities is quite alarming. As such, the last chapter of the book calls people to action to end the conditions and situation that have led to the suffering of the people living in the cities and for the world as a whole.
References
Hedges, C., & Sacco, J. (2014). Days of destruction, days of revolt. New York: Nation Books.
