(no subject)
Nov. 27th, 2003 01:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
terrypurple73I can’t help but believe that everything William (and all of them) did was worth it. I think it took being back in Georgia to realize it and to know for certain, but I have to believe it.
I’ve seen the amount of publicity (or whatever you want to call it) raised on campus, and that helps, but that isn’t even all of it. I know that we as activists get under people’s skin. That’s not the goal, but it’s clear that we are affecting others. That’s what is important. It is important that we gather to remember those lost to violence. And if an enormous amount of violence stems from one place, then why wouldn’t we gather to remember those who have gone before us? If I were in El Salvador, I would take time to remember those killed there. When I was in Oklahoma City, we took time to remember those killed there. And so when I am in Columbus, Georgia, I will take time to be reverent, to mourn for those I didn’t know, to work to understand that people are killed so frequently, and where that comes from.
I don’t believe our government should be killing people. I believe that when it comes to the death penalty, and I believe that when it comes to training soldiers, police, and civilians from all over the world. And since I believe that, I believe I need to put my face and my name to that cause. That hasn’t meant legal implications at this point, but it does for some people. After living with someone who has gone through those legal consequences, and then returning to the site where that all took place, I have an even greater respect and understanding for what William, Kelly, Peter, Caitlin, and all the rest did when they put themselves out there. I have always supported what they did, and somewhere in me I have always believed that they did the right thing. I have defended them and I have known at some level that their actions were important. But being back at the base and back with all of the wonderful people who care about things I care about has shown me just how amazing and important those actions really are. A difference has been made, and I really don’t think anyone can deny that. Thanks to these and other amazing instigators, we are greater understanding that concept of solidarity. More and more people are being inspired to stand up against violence and oppression. And when people are killed for simply being in the wrong place at a particular time (um, civilian deaths in any war), or when people are killed for believing in speaking out against their government (say, Jesuits shot squarely in the head for their ideas), that’s oppression to me, and I don’t want any part of it. And maybe, someday, that might mean I get to explain that to a judge. If that’s what it takes, and if that is where I’m needed.
What am I thankful for on this holiday? And if I am so thankful, what am I going to do about it? How will I bring the things that I am thankful for to others? How am I giving of myself in all of this?
I’ve seen the amount of publicity (or whatever you want to call it) raised on campus, and that helps, but that isn’t even all of it. I know that we as activists get under people’s skin. That’s not the goal, but it’s clear that we are affecting others. That’s what is important. It is important that we gather to remember those lost to violence. And if an enormous amount of violence stems from one place, then why wouldn’t we gather to remember those who have gone before us? If I were in El Salvador, I would take time to remember those killed there. When I was in Oklahoma City, we took time to remember those killed there. And so when I am in Columbus, Georgia, I will take time to be reverent, to mourn for those I didn’t know, to work to understand that people are killed so frequently, and where that comes from.
I don’t believe our government should be killing people. I believe that when it comes to the death penalty, and I believe that when it comes to training soldiers, police, and civilians from all over the world. And since I believe that, I believe I need to put my face and my name to that cause. That hasn’t meant legal implications at this point, but it does for some people. After living with someone who has gone through those legal consequences, and then returning to the site where that all took place, I have an even greater respect and understanding for what William, Kelly, Peter, Caitlin, and all the rest did when they put themselves out there. I have always supported what they did, and somewhere in me I have always believed that they did the right thing. I have defended them and I have known at some level that their actions were important. But being back at the base and back with all of the wonderful people who care about things I care about has shown me just how amazing and important those actions really are. A difference has been made, and I really don’t think anyone can deny that. Thanks to these and other amazing instigators, we are greater understanding that concept of solidarity. More and more people are being inspired to stand up against violence and oppression. And when people are killed for simply being in the wrong place at a particular time (um, civilian deaths in any war), or when people are killed for believing in speaking out against their government (say, Jesuits shot squarely in the head for their ideas), that’s oppression to me, and I don’t want any part of it. And maybe, someday, that might mean I get to explain that to a judge. If that’s what it takes, and if that is where I’m needed.
What am I thankful for on this holiday? And if I am so thankful, what am I going to do about it? How will I bring the things that I am thankful for to others? How am I giving of myself in all of this?
