Life is important. I don't think anyone would deny that. I hope that no one takes it for granted either. Life is a gift, a special and unique thing that none of us asked for but received it generously anyway, at the cost of a lot of pain and discomfort by our mothers. This profound existence gives us opportunity to ponder and experience anything and everything! I don't think anyone celebrates death. Who is happy about death tolls in war? Who is excited to hear 10,000 people have been firebombed? No, we are here to celebrate life. That is why we cry at a funeral and smile at a birth.
Being a social justice activist is about celebrating life. And as far as tactics go- if your revolution isn't fun, I'm not coming. Activism should be fun, and about building something and making new friends and being together and sharing meals. There is a lot to be "anti" about- but there are lots of things to be "pro" instead.
I want to clarify some things. When you see militant activists being arrested on the news- don't assume that they are punk kids with no brains, realize that you both have many things in common, they just feel a greater sense of urgency and therefore take their struggle to illegal proportions. Once you realize that you are fighting for the same things- the militant's job becomes a bit lighter and you become a bit more involved. When someone engages you in conversation and you feel threatened and become defensive, the activist doesn't want to hurt you or judge you, but wants to challenge everything you think you know because they come from a place of having been challenged and want to spread that important lesson around. We should always be challenging each other. Change only comes when we put a question mark behind an idea we've taken for granted for a long time. It's not a negative thing- when you are met with adversity, stand up and open your mind. Perhaps you can challenge the person back- this is what we call dialogue, and it is the only democratic process we have left.
There are many tactics in the social justice struggle- but what I am writing to you about today is that we are all working for the same thing- we want an enriching life that is something to celebrate, and something good enough to pass along to the next generation.
We want clean air and food supplies and furry animals to look at- we need those things too. We need water, so let's stop polluting it. hmmm?
I am keeping this short. The message is clear. I'm for diversity and all- but honestly, we're all the same. And that sameness is something awesome and worth celebrating. Here we are on this great blue planet- from the big bang, to atoms, to you and me. Magic! Let's not let consumerist greed and privilege get in the way. Let's not let categories and labels and religion get in the way. Let's not let gender and sexual orientation and money get in the way. Let's be. I am. Are you?
