i feel something like sadness underneath the amazement and horror at what is being broadcast via the new media today. there is a degree to which i am ashamed. that we who have so much freedom squander the right to publicly rally and raise our voices.
"Life has come to a halt. There were at least 2-3M in the streets today. I've never seen such anger. We are not going let this go. They've closed all the universities (during final exams) and have started a purge. Many of our professors are missing and student organizers are moving constantly to avoid detainment. The police is just watching and the army has declared neutrality. The violence is 100% caused by the BASIJ and thugs who are roaming the streets. They seem to be targeting girls, swinging with clubs and chains. Its disgusting but we are protected by numbers. Get the word out-- the more of us stand together, the safer each individual will be. The reports of the university attacks yesterday are true. We don't know how many were hurt or killed."
from a dish reader, here. italics and highlight my own.
i hope we learn from the people of Iran. for not only do we not stand up and use our freedom to speak loudly in solidarity with those who are voiceless in other parts of the world, we rarely stand up for the voiceless in our own neighbourhoods...
for those who have lost their lives and suffered brutality, may we feel deep sorrow...
as the bumper sticker say,
if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention
and most of the time, i'm not...
they are outraged. and i am humbled to be alive to witness their courage and tenacity.
for in all of this, i can only speak for myself. when i say, "we", i really mean "i". but if they seek others to add their voice, count me in the collective...
LB
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