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Monday, August 07, 2006
Love in the Time of Occupation

There is a story of someone who is acting on their beliefs - even on the happiest day of her life, she decided to spend it where it would have the most meaning.

It's not very often that you find something to be so passionate about. The writer (the bride) is actually raised (and I think born) in the U.S. so it's not very often that people go back to their roots in such a way. I could never imagine what it's like to see the struggle of Palestine from her point of view. I'm an outsider like most other who sees their world through the media. Personal stories like this are hard to come by amongst all the stories about civilian deaths and attacks.

When I read this, I feel guilty for not being able to do anything. I don't think I'm an Joan of Arc, but, at the same time, I want to be part of a change. Voting for our country's government doesn't go very far. The outcome of the last federal election was anticipated. Invoking change in the more influential G8 countries is near impossible. Regardless of the number of rallies and protesters, politicians will continue to follow the path of power and money.

It's easier to make changes in other parts of our society. Debt relief, firearm control and regulation, poverty and the environment are all things we can work and and improve. There's no overall solution, but there has been, and will continue to be progress. That's why I've always looked into organizations such as Oxfam, an NGO that works at the grassroot level to encourage change.
Written at 11:50 PM by AKA.
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