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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
An Hour a Week to Remember
Every Saturday since September, 2005, we Women in Black have stood in silence for an hour in the Golden/Lakewood area. Sometimes we've had ten people, sometimes only two. Sometimes it has been so cold, we huddled and shivered despite all the layers we were wearing. Other times, we held umbrellas to keep the sun off, but sweat still ran down our faces. I guess I won't be enticing new members from this attractive sales pitch, huh? Well, if the military can bring in new soldiers that sign up to wear body armor in the 114 degree Iraqi heat, surely standing here for only an hour is not too daunting, no matter the weather.
I have definitely seen a shift in the responses to our presence as we stand outside our nearby shopping mall. In the early days, emotions were higher. We had a lot of positive response, but also some negative. Now there are times that I wonder if anyone is awake. Still, we receive a lot of positive feedback, and if there are people who disagree with us, they usually don't demonstrate it except by their silence. Which fits right in with the silence that we are holding anyway.
I just figure that it is my responsibility to remind others that, while they are shopping or driving to the mountains, people are dying in war, genocide, domestic violence, and other violent atrocities. The Women in Black vigil is not a chore or interruption of my weekend. It is something that I schedule around, because it is an important time of witness, sisterhood, and presence. My week would not be complete without it. AND if there comes a time in my lifetime where we all treat each other with respect, I will gladly figure out something else to do on Saturdays at 12:30.
Olga Bonfiglio writes from Michigan in Women in Black: Mourning for All Victims of War and Violence, published on the Common Dreams website today.
I have definitely seen a shift in the responses to our presence as we stand outside our nearby shopping mall. In the early days, emotions were higher. We had a lot of positive response, but also some negative. Now there are times that I wonder if anyone is awake. Still, we receive a lot of positive feedback, and if there are people who disagree with us, they usually don't demonstrate it except by their silence. Which fits right in with the silence that we are holding anyway.
I just figure that it is my responsibility to remind others that, while they are shopping or driving to the mountains, people are dying in war, genocide, domestic violence, and other violent atrocities. The Women in Black vigil is not a chore or interruption of my weekend. It is something that I schedule around, because it is an important time of witness, sisterhood, and presence. My week would not be complete without it. AND if there comes a time in my lifetime where we all treat each other with respect, I will gladly figure out something else to do on Saturdays at 12:30.
Olga Bonfiglio writes from Michigan in Women in Black: Mourning for All Victims of War and Violence, published on the Common Dreams website today.
Labels: Women in Black
posted by Carol at 8:16 AM
2 Comments:
I have found my efforts are of mutual benefit..first..they are a reminder so necessary in the lives of those who see our visibility (as you know I am neither a woman nor dress in black but the Army recruiters do not discern the difference)...As is important is the minimal effort I believed is required if I am to remain true to my personal beliefs involving Peace/Justice
nogo war
And you, my friend, are making an impact on upholding our rights, also.
It is so nice to know that we are all standing together - even though we are doing it in different ways and in many different locations. Same heart, same message.
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