First of all, Naima - thanks for the poem. I'll always keep it safe. In a way, it asks me a question I've been pondering myself.
btw - I don't agree that I'm 'scholarly' (I'm no academic) - and if you get to my age and still don't know a noun from a pronoun, well
.
I hope my writing encourages you to look at other writer/poets - many far, far better than me, who you can learn a lot more from. Having said that, it means a lot that you are interested in my work.
I value your opinion highly.
Before I get onto 'the question' you've asked, can I just say something about the Arundhati Roy quote?
lostnsearching wrote: "to respect strength, never power" i don't really agree....although it depends on the situation but none seems worth the respect(mostly)
I think what you've pointed out here is very important.
It's got me thinking.
What is the difference between strength and power?
I presume that when Roy writes 'strength' she doesn't refer to physical strength, but strength of character - or the strength of nature, and by 'power' she means 'control'.
Gandhi had great inner strength - but he also had power (that's what made him a danger to the British - because to some extent, he had control over the masses). But Gandhi chose not to use his power to gain 'control' - instead, he led by strength of example.
It took a lot of strength for Gandhi to burn his ID card, knowing he would be beaten there on the street for doing so. Why did this non-violent act provoke such a violent reaction?
Because Gandhi's strength of character was so much more appealing to the people - more compelling than all the power the British possessed at the time (or thought we did).
George Bush is all-powerful. He's like a lunatic thief directing some protection racket from the safety of his guarded mansion.
But he isn't funny. He's killing people - soon a million people - if he hits Iran - god knows how many will die.
But he lacks strength of character. He's never walked ahead of his own people into danger, in order to free a country - like Gandhi actually did.
Instead, George sent his people to die without him and for his (and his cronies) personal gain.
The thing is - it doesn't matter how much power George processes - he will be beaten eventually by those who stand forward now and project their strength of character. People like Kucinich.
There is strength in truth and in wisdom. There is also strength in the masses.
It takes strength for people to pull themselves out of bed every morning and go to work or study. To raise a family, build a home.
Sometimes it takes strength just to go on living.
But George has always had it easy. He doesn't know the strength of the people/masses/proletariat - because he doesn't possess the imagination to consider it. He thinks power is everything.
Take my word for it, Naima - someone is going to step forward and challenge George's power
someone with strong conviction.
And whoever it is, they are thinking about it right now. Trying to find the strength inside themselves.
It's coming - I know it is.
Thanks for getting me to think about these things Naima - somehow it seems important to think about the difference between strength and power -
lostnsearching wrote: i love the part "never forget" the problem is....they do Forget!
Yes - but as long as YOU don't forget - then nothing is forgotten.
Maybe this time
we won't let them forget.
*********
Okay, I've put it off long enough. The question you asked in the poem
Is revolt the only answer for revolution?
It's a big f*cking question.
For a start - what is Revolution? (Try to remember that I'm new to this game myself). If you really want to know how I see it (and when you see the size of this post I'm sure you'll be sorry you asked) I'll have to figure it as I go - so go get a warm drink and put your feet up - we could be here a while
What is Revolution? Here's what I think
(excuse me if I tell you something you already know - but I've got to lay it down to try and figure it.)
The word revolution comes from 'revolve' - to turn around. It brings a sudden change in direction. The word might conjure in the mind visions of poor folk with pitchforks dragging rich folk off to the guillotine - or students lobbing bricks at the police - but in fact, there are revolutions going on all the time, every day, in the lives of ordinary people. There are revolutions in music, art, youth culture, politics - everything that's out there has the potential for change.
I would like to see a Revolution of the mind. Of the way of thinking. A revolution in education and in commitment.
Instead of renewing our weapons of mass destruction, I would like to see Britain disarm nuclear weapons completely.
That would be a revolution.
In British schools, instead of being taught that Churchill was a hero, I think we should be given the facts and be allowed to make up our own minds whether we agree that a man who said it would be a good idea to test chemical and biological weapons on peoples of the Middle-East, because they were 'just a bunch of savages' is really a 'hero.'
Teach us the facts - both sides of those facts and let us decide.
Education with more emphasise on psychology, philosophy and sociology. Let history books be based on people's personal experiences and not just on dates of battles.
That would be a revolution.
I think people should be encouraged to take a much more active role in the running of their country - instead of being anaesthetised and hypnotised by media and advertising.
That would be a revolution
Instead of 20% of the world's population using up 80% of the worlds resources, while 80% of the human population lives in poverty - I'd like to see a greater commitment to equality - a balancing of the scales of justice. Acknowledgment that every life is as valuable as the next.
That would be a revolution.
(We could go on night and day, there's so much that's desperate for change - but you get the idea - a different way of thinking - of education aimed at enlightening and strengthening the minds of the masses.)
Of course, mostly and firstly, I want to see George Bush and Tony Blair impeached and tried for crimes against citizens of their own countries and of other countries - most importantly, Iraq. I think we need to show the world that the US and Britain have more to offer the world than war.
On a personal note, I also believe that the things (and people) we are drawn to, are those in which we see something of ourselves reflected - something we wish to understand and explore within ourselves.
I feel that I'm drawn to the idea of revolution, partly because I'm going through an internal revolution myself - something is changing. Maybe it's the same for you.
So finally - onto your question about revolt.
Are you asking me whether we should 'rise up' and 'take back the power'?
Personally, I think yes, we should rise up - but not to take back the power - to dismantle it. I'm talking about shutting down a failed management. Have you ever seen the film Jaws? (One of my favourite 'politically suggestive' films). If so, do you remember towards the end, when the fishing guy who's gone off his head is pushing the engine of his boat too hard and when the scientist guy asks him to ease off, he responds by cranking up a gear - resulting in the sinking of the vessel and his own death in the jaws of the shark.
That's how I see George Bush - ignoring all the warnings around him as he whistles his way into the great void.
He has become a dangerous liability.
Here in Britain, Tony Blair has also been lying and taking away our rights - he's got to go. But getting rid of leaders won't be enough - it's up to the masses to take more responsibility.
It's hard to believe, but more people in America voted for a talent show contestant on the box - than voted for a new president in the last election.
Hello???
Like I say - education needs re-addressing
As for 'revolt' - well, I think it depends what you are looking to change and what country you are in (I'm not sure where in the 'universe' you are Naima). -
One thing I do feel strongly about is that it takes time.
Going into Iraq and using brute force to destroy an army and hang a leader was never going to be a good way to begin a Revolution. Violence begets violence.
Where as, investigative journalism, photography, art, etc played a huge part in ending the Vietnam war.
Many historians say that it was public opinion that put the screws on America regards Vietnam and that the major turning point came after this picture hit the US streets.
Here's a true story:
Last Christmas, up in Scotland - in a city considered to be one of the roughest in Britain - Glasgow - there is an estate where in amongst the local Glaswegians, many immigrant families live. Most are from Asia, Africa or the Middle East.
Because of a crack down on illegal immigration, which for many years has been ignored - the police and immigration officers have been rounding up whole families, men, women and children - some who've been established in this country for many years and make a true contribution in their local areas.
Over the Christmas period, local Glaswegians - gangs of men organised by a couple of Grandmothers - patrolled the estate every dawn and through the day - on the look out for immigration vans and police - so that they could warn immigrant families and in some cases, smuggle them out of their homes before the vans arrived outside their front doors to cart them off to a detention centre - before the authorities flew them out of the country.
Many of these families face poverty and suppression on their return to their birth place and many of their children hardly remember the 'old country'.
In some cases, the Scots have put themselves 'between' the police and the immigrant's homes.
No doubt that their action is one of civil disobedience - but they are doing what they feel is the right and proper thing - to protect those weaker than them in a community where locals say the immigrant population has 'benefited the community.'
Dawn raids. Makes me think of when the Nazis were rounding up the Jews in similar raids - to send to their deaths.
Personally, I applaud these Scots. They are 'resisting' - resisting a Government which has basically 'Lost the Plot.'
But they are not attacking police stations, or Government buildings and what they are doing amounts to little more than protest. So, what if the authorities were rounding up these people and sending them to a gas- chamber? (In some cases, they might as well be).
What would people do then? Would they sit back and think, 'thank god it's not me' - or would they grab a weapon and try to protect these people with their lives?
To be honest I think every man/woman/boy/girl has to figure out for themselves what they are prepared to put up with. But if change is needed - the best way to do it is to use the media against itself - filming those people in Glasgow for example - letting the rest of the country know what's going on there - would be an excellent way of bringing a human angle to the crisis - and like the photograph of the Vietnamese girl - could sway public opinion (which is why they're not covering it in the news).
So - where are the filmmakers?
Where is Britain's version of Mike Moore?
So far, the media is in the Government's pocket and that has to be changed. I'm not sure how we go about changing people's way of looking at things like racism, fascism etc - but talking about politics is a starting point. And changing education is a must.
I feel that what I'm doing here is important - even if it's only taken on board (or even read) by only one person - because people need to know the truth. Making art that expresses your desire for change, or writing about your situation, or taking photographs of war, suppression, poverty - all these things can have an effect.
Peaceful demonstration is also very important. I see the peace movement really as the 'Resistance' - people who want to resist the path of fascism and war.
As I've said before - I think there is great symbolic strength to be found in creativity.
At the moment I do what I can - demonstrations - etc
But I feel that the poetry I write is more important somehow. Sharing my understanding. I know how it feels to fear for your life - to be hospitalised by brutality - to be so convinced that you have no rights that you give up fighting those who abuse power around you. But before you can make changes, you have to address the 'revolution' taking place within YOU. Until then - you cannot look to help others.
Strengthen yourself - your mind and body. Read history - read the truth about Rebel leaders of the world - starting with Jesus. Who I believe, was a man similar to Gandhi - crucified for turning over the tax-collectors tables and encouraging the poor to demand their rights. Martin Luther King is another. Che Guevara is another - vilified by the US - who had him assassinated.
Quick Summery
Of course there might come a time when people need to take up arms and resist. The French, for instance, under German occupation. No one condemns them for blowing up German transports, railway lines etc - which is why I find it hard to condemn the Iraqis for targeting US and British troops. Even though I have personally suffered losses because of it.
If however, you want to 'educate' your own Government (frustration beyond belief) I think you have to look back in history to see the best ways of doing that. Women's Rights for example.
I believe that countries like the US should not encroach on the natural process of internal revolution. Here in Britain, women had to fight for their rights - it might have happened earlier than it has for women in say, Egypt - but they did it themselves in their own good time and although some died, they caused a revolution. They had to face ministers like Churchill in the house of Commons - chain themselves to railings, go on hunger strike etc. In the end they won the admiration of their male counterparts. And won their cause.
What would these women back then have done if the US had invaded Britain (not that they'd want to - we haven't got any oil) in order to 'liberate' them?
I'll tell you want they would have done - they would have rallied behind their men to protect their country.
It's up to liberated women to support suppressed women's movements around the world - to help educate their men - not armed soldiers.
Anyway - I don't know if this answers your question at all - or mine. I suppose I would say peaceful demonstration is the best way - as well as creativity. I don't know really. I'm still dealing with internal revolution and until I'm strong enough to deal with that - I guess I'd make a pretty sorry rebel.
But it is true that if I thought my country was being 'taken over' by lunatics and several years of peaceful demonstration etc didn't sort it out - I would be prepared to go to prison for my beliefs. I would not be prepared to kill - unless we were in some sort of Star Wars scenario (The Empire Strikes Back) - where nazis were taking over the earth.
I guess you could say - I'm playing by ear
Whoa - that's enough of that.
Thanks Naima - your question came at a good time. I have been dreading a personal and painful anniversary. But d'you know what? It has slipped passed almost unnoticed because I've been writing this.
Salute
Peace
Endy
