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Monday, October 22, 2007
How Does Peace Come About?
My editor is very busy today. I keep trying to write, but some inner moderator keeps nixing everything I put down.
So, since none of my previous attempts was what needed to be said, what do I REALLY want to say?
First of all, editor, you're fired. What is going to come out is going to come out and we will just have to live with it.
Here's the truth (well, my truth, anyway):
There will be rallies held all over the country this coming Saturday. The people in Denver want this one to be really big. Not only have we been occupying Iraq for 5+ years now, a certain someone keeps threatening Iran.
But I'm not going to the rally.
I am tired. I am tired of banging my head against a wall. I have participated in countless rallies over the years. Meanwhile, the occupation continues and threats are being made about another war.
And I am not getting more peaceful by going to rallies and marches.
I am sickened by the media and the pathetic reporting of these events. I have absolutely no belief that the people in D.C. care whether 100 or 100,000 people march in the streets.
I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should not attend the events in their area. It is good that people do these things if they are called to do them.
A slow, steady river will, over much time, create an inspiring canyon. Maybe consistently standing for an end to the war will eventually cause a change. Maybe not. I don't know.
Do we sometimes get stuck in a habit of trying to create a canyon through working to wear down granite when, if we just moved a little to the left, the sandstone there would happily melt into graceful formations?
I think that we must always keep questions alive.
I am grateful to all who have given of their time and talents for the events that will bring people together this weekend. May your efforts create good for the world.
To find out about a rally near you, visit United for Peace and Justice.
So, since none of my previous attempts was what needed to be said, what do I REALLY want to say?
First of all, editor, you're fired. What is going to come out is going to come out and we will just have to live with it.
Here's the truth (well, my truth, anyway):
There will be rallies held all over the country this coming Saturday. The people in Denver want this one to be really big. Not only have we been occupying Iraq for 5+ years now, a certain someone keeps threatening Iran.
But I'm not going to the rally.
I am tired. I am tired of banging my head against a wall. I have participated in countless rallies over the years. Meanwhile, the occupation continues and threats are being made about another war.
And I am not getting more peaceful by going to rallies and marches.
I am sickened by the media and the pathetic reporting of these events. I have absolutely no belief that the people in D.C. care whether 100 or 100,000 people march in the streets.
I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should not attend the events in their area. It is good that people do these things if they are called to do them.
A slow, steady river will, over much time, create an inspiring canyon. Maybe consistently standing for an end to the war will eventually cause a change. Maybe not. I don't know.
Do we sometimes get stuck in a habit of trying to create a canyon through working to wear down granite when, if we just moved a little to the left, the sandstone there would happily melt into graceful formations?
I think that we must always keep questions alive.
I am grateful to all who have given of their time and talents for the events that will bring people together this weekend. May your efforts create good for the world.
To find out about a rally near you, visit United for Peace and Justice.
"I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share. Although I have found my own Buddhist religion helpful in generating love and com passion, even for those we consider our enemies, I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion."
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his Nobel Prize acceptance speechLabels: peace, rallies, United for Peace and Justice
posted by Carol at 10:43 AM
2 Comments:
When the news of the rally first came out I was disappointed that there wasn't one in D.C. Then my head was in seeking out schools for my daughter. Now it seems I will a the very least cross paths w/a rally as I will be looking at a school in Philly.
I think I've said before that I don't think a rally will really make a change itself. I see it as a pep rally for like minds. You're not alone in your thinking and all these people think like you. I also think if you bring one friend who isn't active in taking a stand in politics you can change their mind about being apathetic about politics and get them excited about being involved so they will paricipate in the system.
That said, we all need a break sometimes.
You are right about the pep rally idea, Mary. I used to call peace rallies "church", because like minds came together in community and it fed my soul.
I'll probably be back on the lines in some way or another. Meanwhile, I'll be practicing my Spanish, so that I can create peace between myself and those with whom I have not been able to communicate before.
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