Home
Refresh   Tag(s): ; ; ; ;
Add to My Group
October 14, 2008 at 17:11:12

View Ratings | Rate It

Sermon for the downtrodden activist

submit to twitter
submit to reddit
submit to digg
Tell A Friend

By Andrew Kishner (about the author)     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

For OpEdNews: Andrew Kishner - Writer

There comes a time when people fighting for a cause end up questioning why they are fighting: "-Does anyone seem to care? Does anyone seem to know, or are they at least concerned that I am struggling for them and their health and their freedoms and their rights? Does anyone really give a damn about what I'm doing? Or saying? Or writing? Why should I continue at all?"

In the anti-nuclear movement--and this is no different from just about any other movement that has only a few activists putting thorns in the sides of big business or corrupt government--there are plenty of times when one's efforts go unnoticed and without impact.

There are times when it feels like the whole mainstream media has brainwashed even the people you thought were your own allies. And those "friends" end up belittling your efforts. Or won't even lift a finger to click reply or to forward your emails.

And those emails and letters of protests, often written with sweat and tears, or books and article opeds and phone calls, often forged despite trepidation and timidity, they all go unnoticed and without response.

And it feels like you're talking to a brick wall.

During those times, one wonders if he/she shouldn't just pack up his/her bags and let the people he/she was trying to protect fend for themselves. If the town doesn't appear to even care that their island's volcano will erupt and I know it will, then should I just escape and leave the people to their own fate? Why should I stay when so many others would leave? Why should I fight when so many of my efforts will go unnoticed? Why shouldn't I simply walk away from this brick wall?

I will tell you why.

Because if you know why the people don't care, or aren't concerned, or aren't thinking rationally, then you know why you must continue your fight.

If you know that the "forces that be" have done their best to put a brick wall up to stop people like you, then you should know why you should not stop.

If you know that it is because of their lies and misinformation and propaganda to convince your allies and friends and family and community and fellow citizens that they are right and you are wrong--then you know you have YOUR work still cut out for you.

If you know why it is so hard, if you know why the going is so tough, if you know why no one seems to want to listen, then you know what you have to do. There is a wall of sturdy construction and impenetrable height and convincing stature that hides a hideous and ugly set of truths from the people you want to protect and nurture. Your job is to tell people what is beyond that wall. You must keep on telling and telling and telling them what is beyond that wall until the day comes when enough of us can tear down the bricks from that wall for all of the world to see.

 

Andrew Kishner is a downwinder activist and founder of Idealist.ws, a grassroots organization that endeavors to slow and ultimately reverse the tide of global corporate and governmental suppression and cover-up (more...)
 

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.

Contact Author Contact Editor View Authors' Articles

 

Book Recommendations for "Activism"
The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism
by Andrew Harvey

$16.95
Lowest New Price $10.56

Number of pages: 264
Publisher: Hay House

Expanding Architecture: Design as Activism
by Bryan Bell

$34.95
Lowest New Price $21.16

Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Metropolis Books

Islamic Activism: A Social Movement Theory Approach (Indiana Series in Middle East Studies)

$59.95
Lowest New Price $94.53

Number of pages: 328
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Design Activism: Beautiful Strangeness for a Sustainable World
by Alastair Fuad-Luke

$48.95
Lowest New Price $36.84

Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd.

View All Book Recommendations

Share this page: (what's this?)                   Tell a Friend: Tell A Friend

FACEBOOK      DIGG THIS      Add This Page to Mr Wong!           NEWSVINE      DEl.ICIO.US      Looksmart Furl      NETSCAPE      My Web      Tag!RawSugar      Blink List     (More...)

Comments: Expand   Shrink   Hide  
3 comments
To view all comments:
Expand Comments
 

You write them, I'll give them light of day by Margaret Bassett on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 5:13:49 PM
I hear you! by Yvonne on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 11:11:15 PM
Encouraging others to take that leap of faith by Andrew Kishner on Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008 at 8:12:45 AM

 
Want to post your own comment on this Article? Post Comment


 

 

 

Tell a Friend: Tell A Friend

Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews

Powered by Populum