Terrorism shows no respect. Today, London felt the grim reality of that adage to her core. Thirty seven common citizens died in a senseless act of maligned outrage. Over 700 people were injured. These victims were not powerful; leaders of nations or generals over battalions. They were Mr and Ms Smith next door, on their respective ways to respectable jobs.
Terrorism asks not the victim's religion, sex, orientation, alignment, convictions. It kills and maims and scars for life. It snuffs out the flame of lives not yet fully lived. Terrorism breaks and destroys. It neither corrects nor builds.
So tonight, London has to ask herself: Where-to now from here? Will acts of terrorism induce acts of revenge? Will an indignant and angry backlash send more violence down the path to the perpetrators? Will the clamshell of neurosis draw close around the boundaries and minds of London? Will tit for tat be the solution to the situation that underlies this tragic day?
I would hope not and here is way. Where is the evidence that violence eradicates violence? Unless one side or both obliterates the other, there is no ending violence with violence. The extreme of this policy is Assured Mutual Destruction. At the end of the Cold War, the world had decided to walk away from that piece of mindless folly. Or had it?
Assuming that, besides masochists, psychopaths and pathological psychotics, the human being does not prefer suffering and sacrifice over peace and prosperity, what motivates a common human to acts of terror? Has the Democratic West stopped barking for one minute to ponder that question? Is it but remotely possible that this problem has two sides?
Offer a man a viable option and he will consider it over self-sacrifice and a violent death. Has the Democratic West ever considered shutting up, sitting down and listening to the militants, the potential suicide bombers, that is - the terrorists? Will rhetoric and chest-beating solve the problem facing New York City, London, Madrid and who knows where else?
Once, the spiraling conflict in South Africa, threatening to destroy that country at the start of the 1990's, was defused and solved when progressive leaders came up through the ranks of Parliament and took the lead. F W de Klerk led the Nationalist Government in revolt against the then hardline President P W Botha and brought about the most heralded and dramatic political change of the Twentieth Century - in relative peace and with decorum. The White leaders of South Africa decided to free prisoners such as Nelson Mandela and un-ban the then terrorist organization, the African National Congress (ANC); they decided to shut up and sit down to listen. Only then, after listening, did the negotiations start towards a new South African constitution and real democracy for all citizens of South Africa.
Where once the ANC planted bombs and blew up people, they came to the table, once they were shown respect and a viable option to violence. The White people could put their views and concerns on the table. Negotiations, with a real will to change, commenced. The rest is history.
We of the rich and prosperous West should listen to the screams for justice hidden in the chilling thuds of exploding bombs. Whereas no act of terrorism can be condoned, the outcry amongst the violence deserves our concern and attention. The West, who is in a position of power and leadership, is in dire need of a change of heart.
The spiral of violence will not be won by a bigger hammer for a bigger problem. Blessed are the peacemakers .
Let us offer our hand to the terrorist and disarm his anger with our goodwill and forgiveness. To our surprise, the terrorist may just offer us in return his hand and forgiveness.
07 July 2005
04 July 2005
The long road to justice
On Saturday, 2 June 2005, the World united across four continents, nine cities and several millions of people. In the words of Kofi Anan, it was the "real United Nations" meeting. It was a day of hope and goodwill. It was a day in which the ordinary people of the world gathered to speak up for justice. They voted with their presence, their time and their enthusiasm for the plight of the poor and destitute of Africa and elsewhere. For ten hours they showed the leaders of the G8 the direction. It was real democracy. It was a beautiful day. It was the day of the Live8 Concert.
It was a day of learning. The facts of Africa suffering are compelling and tragic, yet are appallingly unknown among people of the G8. Her plight has become the cry of the Third World, the symbol of international injustice. The facts shock and sadden. Relentlessly, every day across the World about 30000 people die of preventable causes, rooted in poverty and illness. The reasons are manifold. Colonialism and consequent revolution have left Africa in disarray for most. Corruption, nepotism as well as civil war obstruct and undo reconstruction efforts. Still, the G8 sees fit to drag its feet, quibbling over details and viewpoints. Alas, we seem to have become comfortably numb. But yesterday, common people of the G8 got up on their feet and voiced their vote: The tragedy must come to an end; the long road to justice must commence right now.
What is this road to justice? George Bush's paradigm of freedom and democracy? Gordon Brown's marshal plan for Africa? Nelson Mandela's Commission of Truth and Reconciliation? The road starts with a walk to freedom.
On 18 February 1990, the long walk to freedom reached a major milestone for one man and his country. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. On 26 April 1994, South Africa became a democracy for all its citizens, but not through the barrel of a gun, not through shock and awe. On that day, the long road to justice started for the most powerful, yet deeply divided country of Africa. It is a long walk from oppression; from the disabling mental baggage left by a colonial legacy; to a new faith in new leaders, new government, a new vision, a new beginning and a better future. It begins with confidence in oneself. Today, South Africa, though still struggling with its legacy, nonetheless symbolises the hope of Africa - the hope of freedom, justice and prosperity. Mandela has become the symbolic moral leader of Africa, if not of the world. But one man and one country cannot save a whole continent of almost 400 million people. Africa cannot go this road alone. Africa, including South Africa, needs the companionship of the G8.
I watched my recording of Live8 on Sunday and gained hope again for Mankind. Against the demands of the selfish gene, people gathered across the G8 nations to show support for Africa. They put aside their busy schedule and their comfy chairs. For ten hours, they took to the streets and parks of London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Barrie (Canada) and Johannesburg.
You may dismiss the day as yet another resurrection of the Flower Power; yet another idealistic crowd having a day of music and fun in the sun - Woodstock on a grander scale, with loftier motives. You may do so - after all, you are welcome to your opinion. Yet, as you speak, another child dies in Africa at the rate of one every three seconds. So, speak fast and finish soon, so that we the bleeding hearts can go and make a difference.
To the leaders of the G8 I say: This week you have an opportunity to make a difference; to change history for millions of suffering people. Over 15 million of the people of your constituencies have spoken for Africa. Every move you make, we'll be watching you. For we are the champions of this world.
It was a day of learning. The facts of Africa suffering are compelling and tragic, yet are appallingly unknown among people of the G8. Her plight has become the cry of the Third World, the symbol of international injustice. The facts shock and sadden. Relentlessly, every day across the World about 30000 people die of preventable causes, rooted in poverty and illness. The reasons are manifold. Colonialism and consequent revolution have left Africa in disarray for most. Corruption, nepotism as well as civil war obstruct and undo reconstruction efforts. Still, the G8 sees fit to drag its feet, quibbling over details and viewpoints. Alas, we seem to have become comfortably numb. But yesterday, common people of the G8 got up on their feet and voiced their vote: The tragedy must come to an end; the long road to justice must commence right now.
What is this road to justice? George Bush's paradigm of freedom and democracy? Gordon Brown's marshal plan for Africa? Nelson Mandela's Commission of Truth and Reconciliation? The road starts with a walk to freedom.
On 18 February 1990, the long walk to freedom reached a major milestone for one man and his country. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. On 26 April 1994, South Africa became a democracy for all its citizens, but not through the barrel of a gun, not through shock and awe. On that day, the long road to justice started for the most powerful, yet deeply divided country of Africa. It is a long walk from oppression; from the disabling mental baggage left by a colonial legacy; to a new faith in new leaders, new government, a new vision, a new beginning and a better future. It begins with confidence in oneself. Today, South Africa, though still struggling with its legacy, nonetheless symbolises the hope of Africa - the hope of freedom, justice and prosperity. Mandela has become the symbolic moral leader of Africa, if not of the world. But one man and one country cannot save a whole continent of almost 400 million people. Africa cannot go this road alone. Africa, including South Africa, needs the companionship of the G8.
I watched my recording of Live8 on Sunday and gained hope again for Mankind. Against the demands of the selfish gene, people gathered across the G8 nations to show support for Africa. They put aside their busy schedule and their comfy chairs. For ten hours, they took to the streets and parks of London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Barrie (Canada) and Johannesburg.
You may dismiss the day as yet another resurrection of the Flower Power; yet another idealistic crowd having a day of music and fun in the sun - Woodstock on a grander scale, with loftier motives. You may do so - after all, you are welcome to your opinion. Yet, as you speak, another child dies in Africa at the rate of one every three seconds. So, speak fast and finish soon, so that we the bleeding hearts can go and make a difference.
To the leaders of the G8 I say: This week you have an opportunity to make a difference; to change history for millions of suffering people. Over 15 million of the people of your constituencies have spoken for Africa. Every move you make, we'll be watching you. For we are the champions of this world.
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