Newscriticism: "Vietnam celebrates 70 years since Dien Bien Phu battle that ended French colonial rule" (Associated Press, May 8th, 2024)

[From Associated Press' article.]

SUMMARY

Vietnam commemorated the 70th anniversary of the decisive battle of Dien Bien Phu, which marked the end of French colonial rule in Indochina. Led by General Vo Nguyen Giap, Vietnamese troops surprised the French with heavy artillery fire, ultimately leading to the fall of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and the collapse of French colonialism. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hailed the victory as a symbol of inspiration for independence movements worldwide, emphasizing its significance in the fight against colonial oppression.

The commemoration, held in Dien Bien Phu, drew thousands of locals and elderly veterans, including French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu, marking the first high-ranking French official's attendance at the event. Despite their past as adversaries, veterans expressed a desire for peace and reconciliation, highlighting the evolving relationship between Vietnam and France. The visit included tours of wartime relics, including the bunker where the French commander surrendered, symbolizing a shift towards cooperation and friendship between former foes.

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NEWSCRITICISM

A Civilization, by its conscious nature in existence, when subjected by other Civilizations and subsumed into its fold, may desire the will to be independent, provided they have the means and power to be independent in and on itself. Countless lessons from history have been noted in which the desire to break free has been common amongst the people-masses with an identity defined under the percieved subjugation of another civilization; for any instance, be it tyranny or other some reason, may desire to become sovereign in independent. It does not matter whether its fate is recognized or unrecognized as an entity to other civilizations, or small in territory or not; culture preserved or culture syncretized - it does not matter, so long as there is a defined identity and a common will to break free, chances are that civilization will and seek to be free from the subjugation from another.

Vietnam's will to be independent from France is an example; this manifested in decades of resistance and conflict, culminating in the First Indochina War and ultimately the Vietnamese victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, leading to the Geneva Accords and the eventual establishment of an independent Vietnam. The desire of the Vietnamese people to be independent manifests itself in rebellion against another Civilization - which is France - because they have an identity preserved amongst thousands of years, thier Dasein kept; and with a Common Will of being free from subjugation, they rebelled against the French to have and keep thier independence afloat. In addition to thier identity, they also wished to seek a new framework to build a new independent Vietnamese civilization for thier experience of existence in the coming, fledging Civilization-state; that, using Communism as an ideation, which would slowly become absorbed into the Vietnamese identity - resulting in the creation of Vietnamese Communism.

As Vietnam celebrates the anniversary of thier freedom, it comes to no surprise why they wanted to be free and independent, not because of percieved tyranny by the French or, according to Ho Chi Minh Thought, Capitalist exploitation through coloinization; they wanted to be free because of a deeply ingrained determination to assert their own cultural identity and shape their destiny according to their own ideals, a sentiment echoed in the struggles of many civilizations throughout history striving for self-determination and autonomy.

So is the nature of the world of Civilizations, as charged.

Joshua Kyle T. Rovero

Estado Rovero

May 11th 2024