I participated at the one in Toronto for the third straight year. there were some moving speeches given by citizens of the middle east, They brought a few war resisters from the U.S up on the stage during the rally, it was cool to see them sticking to their guns and basically giving up any normalcy they had in their lives because they believed something they were participating in was wrong. I have tons of respect for those people.
The protest also dealt with Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, and an array of other social issues that the Canadian government continues to neglect. Although its sometimes depressing to go to these rallies, i walk away with at least a sense of hope that people still care enough to do something about it.
In a city of over 5 million people only about 1000 people were at this rally, which makes me wonder if we're just so far gone that we've given up. Either that or we're to ignorant to know enough to care. Millions and millions of people have died in the name of Western imperialism yet we ignore it like it doesn't really matter how many people die, as long as we can still drive our BMW's and live in posh neighborhood's with guarded entrances. Just enough so we remain to numb to the realities of what has created the great wealth we enjoy.
Reading Howard Zinn today i was reminded that every great empire will fall, mostly due to their unsatisfiable lust for power and wealth. It's just amazing the lengths that governments go to in order to keep their head above water for just a while longer. If you think about it the U.S (and for economic purposes Canada as well) has been at war consistently since WWII, so what happens if there is no war? Is war what sustains our fragile economy?
This got out of hand a long time ago. I'll stop now, but here's a song that re-enforces some of what i was saying. I could use this entire album, but this will have to suffice.
VERSE
Start A Fire
I can't accept what's been done
I'll question the motives
Of all things under the sun
There's something wrong
When a man is kept down
By another man's hand with a gun
We need to start a fire
To act consciously
To save us from our own defeat
Because there is still a war
That we must eliminate
And save ourselves
From this unconscious state
When you just can't take anymore
And you're being kept down
START A FIRE
We've gotta cut our ties
To a life lived in denial
I wish I could strike a match
And set fire to this fucked up empire
I'll never let myself become
Just another apathetic motherfucker
Who knows what we could do
If we would only try
If we turn our heads and walk away
This fire won't survive
START A FIRE
6 comments:
I understand why people don't feel the need to care. But i think its more than just feeling secure. I feel relatively secure but i realize that millions of people have died for nothing.
Like you said people in the military, iraq, and whatever countries are going to be invaded in the future have their lives destroyed for something i feel isn't even close to being justified given the human cost.
That's why i participate in these things. Whether or not i agree with the purposes of the war is irrelevant, i don't like knowing people are dying. The same way people die from murders, drug use and disease, its a symptom of something deeper, and that something deeper is what i ultimately feel needs to be changed.
i deleted my comment. i was in a bitter mood.
"That's why i participate in these things. Whether or not i agree with the purposes of the war is irrelevant, i don't like knowing people are dying. The same way people die from murders, drug use and disease, its a symptom of something deeper, and that something deeper is what i ultimately feel needs to be changed."
i agree.
Haha. Whats wrong with being bitter??
I expect to get controversial feedback when i post stuff like this anyway.
haha man, i dont want to be so bitter.
coming to the city?!
I don't think i can, i have exams right around that time. Which sucks, the Youngblood fest is the 31st too. I will make it to nyc sometime though, i hear its pretty rad there.
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