Posted by susan C on September 12, 2001, at 17:04:26
In reply to A modest proposal for the end of terrorism, posted by Racer on September 12, 2001, at 14:22:20
and I will tell you you are wrong. Thank you for a to the point, carefully written statement of the way the world can take some small steps.
An insignificant mouse living an insignificant life
Susan C.
> We've watched the world, and watched the rejoicing in the streets of Palestine over the death of our hearts and the sickening of our souls. How can we bridge the gap, between those who mourn for strangers and those who would dance at the loss of innocents?
>
> Perhaps we're approaching the question from the wrong standpoint. Perhaps the answer isn't as complex as learning to live together is perfect harmony. My modest proposal is as follows:
>
> Let's stop innundating the world with images of death and destruction. I have, honestly, no real need to know the details. I can truly learn enough from small paragraphs giving the outlines. I have no place in national security.
>
> Let us, instead, show large pictures every time a figure is burnt in effigy. Let us create a media blitz whenever ten or more people come together to complain of our policies. Give the publicity to the symbolic, and shade the deaths with dignity. Rather than publicizing the jingoistic morons discussing the latest incentive to "bomb the infidel back into the stone age", let us instead celebrate the lives of the everyday heroes lost in the attacks. Let us celebrate the woman who cared for her children and her aging parents and didn't raise her voice. Let's have a full page article about the man who, though working in an obscure company, fought to keep his employees employed during a recession. The child who just won a medal for reading. The flight attendant who finally learned to smile and breathe when faced with a belligerant drunk. The depressive who managed to take the meds every day, with faith that eventually life might be less painful.
>
> Let's show the world what we're really made of. Let's show the world that we are small people, with small lives, lives which are important to no one -- save ourselves. Let's show the world the importance of the everyday hero.
>
> And if we can't show the world, perhaps we can show ourselves. And perhaps that will be enough.
poster:susan C
thread:11257
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010909/msgs/11265.html