Memorial Day

Take a moment to remember the thousands of Americans who gave their lives serving this country. I agree with celebrating the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have fought in America’s wars, but I give a cautionary warning about celebrating war itself. In reality, millions of people have perished in wars, many of which were preventable. We should look at war critically and ask what we can learn from it, rather then how we can justifiy it or profit from it.

Sea of Prosperity

I now live in the suburbs of Indianapolis. I never thought I would be living in such an affluent area. All the people, cars, buildings, and roads seems to create a vast sea of prosperity. It is quite different then other areas I have lived.

While exploring the area, I remembered a vacation I was on with my family two years ago. During one leg of the trip we drove through Navajo Nation. I have never witnessed poverty and underdevelopment like that before. I saw people living miles away from anything without basic shelter, and there were very few power lines. The Native Americans are trying to balance assimilation on a reservation, while preserving their heritage. Consequently, they are poor, malnourished, and repressed by drugs and alcohol.

It’s saddening to note the difference between a reservation and a suburb of a major metropolitan area. The only thing that upsets me more then absolute poverty, is seeing extreme wealth, consumption, and waste.

Malcolm X Day

The Founding Fathers were tired of being second-class British citizens. They were tired of taxation without representation. They wanted independence, so they voted for war. They unanimously selected George Washington as commander of their army. Washington and his Patriots, along with the local militia, fought for freedom on the battlefield.

In school I was taught that the Founding Fathers are heroes for fighting for freedom. The majority of Americans would agree that these men are heroes because they stood up and fought against oppression, not by loving their enemy, but with bloodshed. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, etc. have been immortalized for their efforts. They embodied what their contemporary Patrick Henry said: “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death.”

If this is the criteria for a hero, then another man in the 20th century should be a hero too. Like the Patriots he was tired of being treated as a second-class citizen. He was tired of state sponsored racism, segregation, discrimination, and humiliation. Millions of his people were denied the right to vote, so he too was tired of taxation without representation. He believed one should stand up for what they believe in, just as the Founding Fathers did. Like Washington, he believed one should not love your enemy, rather you should defend yourself “by any means necessary.” In fact, he said it’s a crime not to defend yourself when your men are being lynched, your women and children are being beaten, and your churches are being bombed. This man's name is Malcolm X.

If the founding fathers are immortalized, so too should the ideologies of Malcolm X. Similar to Patrick Henry, Malcolm X said, "It'll be the ballot or the bullet. It'll be liberty or it'll be death."

This Land is Our Land

"Dear President Bush. Please send your assistance in freeing our small nation from occupation. This foreign force occupied our lands to steal our rich resources. They used biological warfare and deceit, killing thousands of elders, children and women in the process. As they overwhelmed our land, they deposed our leaders and people of our own government, and in its place, they installed their own government systems that yet today control our daily lives in many ways. As in your own words, the occupation and overthrow of one small nation . . . is one too many." -An American Indian

Nameless Generation?

I wouldn’t say our generation is entirely nameless yet. Perhaps the “Faceless Generation” is a suitable name for a generation that takes an active role of ignorance and privilege acceptance; one that is complacent with its way of life and apathetic towards poverty, war, and suffering. Many people I have come in contact with seem to lack intense or enthusiastic political beliefs, and not many have meaningful interests or convictions. Very few seem to question any authority or challenge the status quo. It seems to be a generation void of thought.

But it does not have to be this way. There have been many silent generations in the past that have spawned the greatest revolutionary periods in our history. A simple action by Rosa Parks can inspire people to question the status quo; a charismatic leader, such as Martin Luther King, can animate a crowd towards a common goal. But what will it take to motivate people today? There is a lot injustice taking place, yet very few people seem to notice.