Logan Miller - American Sniper (outside Reading)

Logan Miller

Essay 8: American Sniper (outside Reading)

            I recently finished the book “American Sniper” by Chris Kyle, an ex-navy SEAL who passed away after a training incident. He speaks often of the evil that America was fighting overseas. I think often of the perspective and how many times people will always feel like they are right. Chris talks of his first kill, who was a woman, because she, with a baby in her hand, pulled the pin on a grenade and ran towards American Marines. Chris, pulling the trigger, save the lived of many Marines, but the woman sacrificed her life as well as her child’s life. Chris, protecting the marines did the right thing. I often wonder however if that woman felt she was doing the right thing or if she felt that she didn’t have a choice. From her perspective, she felt as if Americans were so evil she would rather martyr herself to ensure paradise. It is hard to put yourself in her shoes, because we would find it ridiculous to even consider it. Some even wonder if many people participating in extremism have simply been brainwashed. Some may wonder how much our own culture has brainwashed us; because I am sure extremists find American evil. Regardless, I believe there is evil in the world in the form of dictators and extremists. I also believe that it is the duty of all who are not evil to stand up to evil. It’s a hard thing to do but it is a fulfilling purpose.