Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
-- Haile Selassie (1892-1975)
Haile Selassie was the Emporer of Ethiopia from 1928 - 1972 when his Kindgom was taken from him by reformists during the terrible famine in Ethiopia, he died several years later. He was the longest reigning monarch of the time and enjoyed good relationships with his allies. Because he was from the Solomonic line of Emporers and Kings, he was called "the Lion of Judah" and even today is considered "god incarnate" to the Rastafarian Religion, and the "back to africa" movement.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
-- Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin said this a LOOONG time ago. I look to our closest neighbor, the United States and wonder, why did they so easily, without protest, allow their habeus corpus rights to be completely revoked by the government, in favor of "safety". It's a farce, there is no safety where there is no liberty.
and one for the road........
People call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.
-- Rebecca West
Rebecca West (1892-1983) - in full Dame Rebecca West, pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews. She was a writer, a mother, a wife, a leftist and a strong voice to the rights of women. I think all women are feminists, because all of us with vagina's fight against those aspects of traditional western ethics/morality and practice that depreciate or devalue women and the woman experience.
thanks for the words of encouragement. there has been a lot going on in the band...growing pains I suppose. Trying to be sure that the right people are in so on and so forth. It's tough when we are not all on the same page (in vision of even basic philosophy-for example having a voice means having the responsibility to do your best to change your community for the better. Helping where and when you can. Not just living life to make sure that you get yours. This is VITAL to the mission of why we are doing what we are doing...except one of us simply wants to "get rich and famous"...so we are finding ourself hampered. That's just one example among many)...or when all but 1 of us are. I hate feeling backed into a corner, or ambushed, so I don't want to do that. There are so many variables to think about, and it is hard to keep ones head cool and focused in the midst of it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it can't NOT be dealt with or brought to the table for thought and discussion. That would be truly unfair and shameful.
i truly appreciate your spirit in sharing this with me. it brings some light to my day.
ReplyDeleteah the world is so wrong and needs to be set so right. the quotes you've got up here each bring a different light to the global problem.
too many speak for "justice" and either act unjustly or do nothing other than speak.
it's time to act. I have been increasingly saddened by the course my country has chosen to take. not just the so called "conservatives" but also the "liberals"...
I'd like to see a fresh new movement...one where self interest isn't at the heart of it.