What began with the public acceptance of the non-viability of Greece’s finances, something that a lot of people had already predicted, has evolved in Greece’s fall over the last few years. It’s not just about the burnt buildings, the public insecurity, the financial dependence, the riots, the street fights, the insignificant shuffling of politicians, the obedience to outside decision-makers, the international embarrassment, the unemployment and the neo-homeless [1]. There is a much deeper crisis, one that is yet to be fully defined and understood; the crisis within Greece’s youth and so, within Greece’s future.

Young Greeks between the ages of twenty and forty, essentially almost an entire generation, were brought up to believe that their future problems would be limited to finding a good job, finding a husband or wife, and settling in a home. They are now facing a much bigger challenge since the utter collapse of the Greek Dream has left them not only without resources but also without a vision. It is not a surprise that they are now in despair and confusion.

Read More

This morning one of my attendings at the hospital handed me yet another New York Times article on Greece’s financial collapse. I sat in the corner of the dark x-ray reading room and read through, uncertain of what I was looking for.

As I expected, there was nothing original about it: an outline of the current ugliness because of the burnt buildings, the constant riots, the non-functioning state, the increasing numbers of homeless and poor, and of course the overall gloom that has taken over everyone, including those not yet touched by the deepening crisis. The article ended with a reference to the financial crisis that Pericles fought by not cutting down on anything, and by commissioning public projects, amongst which the Parthenon. Development vs. shrinkage, expansion vs. cut-downs. Pride vs. shame.

There was a time that being Greek meant living in one of the best parts of the Earth, having a long cultural and intellectual background, being raised on pride and philotimo. Then again it also means to be raised to feel grandiose, to take pride on the accomplishments that were achieved a long, long time ago. Sure, we’ve built the Parthenon, sure we’ve invented democracy. But it wasn’t me, or anyone currently claiming credit for it. Sure there was a time of greatness that builds pride into Greeks, but there’s also the feeling that that time is long gone, and that brings embarrassment. The question is what do we do about it now?

Read More

infiniteinterior:

Karel Plicka Photographer. Link to the Gallery. (by Expo Socialism)

: : what do you think? : :

mpdrolet:

Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, 2009

Chikara Umihara

if-you-leave:

mike stacey