How our memory of war can shape the future

War memories are not objective records but curated narratives shaped by nations to align with their self-images, often prioritizing the perspectives of soldiers while marginalizing civilians and refugees. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen argues that this "memory industry" creates a cycle of violence, as nations repeatedly re-narrate conflicts to justify past actions and maintain national myths. By examining the Vietnam War through both American and Vietnamese lenses, Nguyen highlights how both sides utilize selective erasure to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. Achieving "happy forgetting"—a state of reconciliation—requires moving beyond singular, heroic narratives to acknowledge the complex, human consequences of war. This transformation demands a societal shift that empowers diverse voices, ensuring that refugee experiences and civilian suffering are recognized alongside the traditional focus on military history, ultimately challenging the conditions that perpetuate perpetual conflict.