Welke Oorlog

Don Quishocking's song "Welke Oorlog" delves into the complex and often contradictory ways in which people remember and relate to wars, both past and present. The lyrics begin with a reflection on how frequently conversations revolve around World War II, especially among those whose parents lived through it. This generational connection to the war creates a sense of inherited memory, even for those who did not experience it firsthand. The artist highlights the absurdity and tragedy of this inherited trauma by juxtaposing it with the indifference shown towards contemporary issues like global hunger.

The song also explores the deep-seated prejudices that can arise from such historical memories. The narrator describes a neighbor who harbors racist views, yet paradoxically admires Israel. This neighbor's racism is somewhat excused by his own suffering during the Holocaust, creating a moral conundrum for the narrator. This complexity is further emphasized by the narrator's own irrational dislike for Germans, despite recognizing that many contemporary Germans had no part in the atrocities of World War II. This illustrates how deeply ingrained and irrational prejudices can be, even when one is aware of their unfairness.

Finally, the song touches on the desensitization to modern conflicts due to media saturation. The narrator contrasts the vivid memories of the Vietnam War, which were broadcast on television, with the emotional detachment felt towards more recent conflicts. This detachment is starkly contrasted with the emotional response elicited by historical accounts like Anne Frank's diary. The song suggests that this selective empathy is problematic but acknowledges its inevitability. The closing lines predict that future generations will harbor similar prejudices based on their own historical traumas, perpetuating a cycle of inherited animosity and selective memory.