Courage
Came across an article by Friendman, about what he labels at Gen Q. "Generation Q” — the Quiet Americans, in the best sense of that term, quietly pursuing their idealism, at home and abroad." And he ended off, of the need for this generation, to have the courage to now just seek their dreams, but also to have the courage to make their concerns, belief and ideals heard.
" Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy didn’t change the world by asking people to join their Facebook crusades or to download their platforms. Activism can only be uploaded, the old-fashioned way — by young voters speaking truth to power, face to face, in big numbers, on campuses or the Washington Mall. Virtual politics is just that — virtual.
Maybe that’s why what impressed me most on my brief college swing was actually a statue — the life-size statue of James Meredith at the University of Mississippi. Meredith was the first African-American to be admitted to Ole Miss in 1962. The Meredith bronze is posed as if he is striding toward a tall limestone archway, re-enacting his fateful step onto the then-segregated campus — defying a violent, angry mob and protected by the National Guard.
Above the archway, carved into the stone, is the word “Courage.”"
This set me wondering about the discussion on the Repeal 337A movement recently. I guess, if there is something changing, its the voice of the young coming forth to make a difference. Its not about making a point, but taking the steps to create the world, and society that the young believe in, and one that represents the future. Perhaps, the inertia goes beyond civil liberties, but I gues what is clearly lacking in this aspect, is not the lack of air time, but the absence of a proper dialogue.
Yet, I also sense that apprehension, and uncertainty that the youth have towards airing such opinions. I guess, its not a simple right or wrong, but maybe, its about having the courage to make a stand and say, "this is what I believe in". Yet, I guess, that is just not so simple at times. Why? Is that one sided self-censorship or a wider recognition of the OB markers in place? I guess I'm really not sure.
" Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy didn’t change the world by asking people to join their Facebook crusades or to download their platforms. Activism can only be uploaded, the old-fashioned way — by young voters speaking truth to power, face to face, in big numbers, on campuses or the Washington Mall. Virtual politics is just that — virtual.
Maybe that’s why what impressed me most on my brief college swing was actually a statue — the life-size statue of James Meredith at the University of Mississippi. Meredith was the first African-American to be admitted to Ole Miss in 1962. The Meredith bronze is posed as if he is striding toward a tall limestone archway, re-enacting his fateful step onto the then-segregated campus — defying a violent, angry mob and protected by the National Guard.
Above the archway, carved into the stone, is the word “Courage.”"
This set me wondering about the discussion on the Repeal 337A movement recently. I guess, if there is something changing, its the voice of the young coming forth to make a difference. Its not about making a point, but taking the steps to create the world, and society that the young believe in, and one that represents the future. Perhaps, the inertia goes beyond civil liberties, but I gues what is clearly lacking in this aspect, is not the lack of air time, but the absence of a proper dialogue.
Yet, I also sense that apprehension, and uncertainty that the youth have towards airing such opinions. I guess, its not a simple right or wrong, but maybe, its about having the courage to make a stand and say, "this is what I believe in". Yet, I guess, that is just not so simple at times. Why? Is that one sided self-censorship or a wider recognition of the OB markers in place? I guess I'm really not sure.
posted by city_walker at 10/13/2007 12:57:00 am
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