From George Takei: Some Holiday Thoughts, From Uncle George: Just days before Americans gathered with friends and family to give thanks, we saw turmoil in our heartland. Following the grand jury verdict in Ferguson, Missouri, riots broke out, leading to torched cars and looted structures. It was mayhem. Many understandably condemned those who were responding violently. On my social media, I urged fans not to lose sight of the anguish that gave rise to the protests, or to be blinded by smoke from so many fires. I asked them to come together once the dust had cleared to help solve the problems, together. Days later, protests continued in our urban centers, largely peaceful though at many times quite inconveniencing, as traffic and business ground to a halt around them. Many expressed frustration at the tactics of the protestors, who blocked freeways and bridges, and caused our law enforcement to bill overtime. I have seen decades of examples of civil disobedience, not only here in the U.S. but in other flashpoints across the world, including most recently in Hong Kong, where the government forcibly removed democracy protestors from that citys Central District after the “Umbrella Revolution” effectively shut down commerce there. It occurred to me, as I watched footage of the Ferguson riots and the continuing protests around the country, that it somehow feels different to be on this side of it, where the anger and the inconvenience is directed at those in relative wealth and power. By contrast, when we see ordinary citizens in other nations rise up in collective anger against perceived oppression, we more than often feel a kinship with them, for ours, too, was a nation born out of protest and revolution. As we worry for their fates, we count ourselves lucky that we can peaceably assemble to voice our grievances without risk of being gunned down or crushed beneath the iron treads of a tank. As I watched the Ferguson fires burn, I thought back of course to South Central in 1992. But I also recalled the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York, which erupted after drag queens had had enough harassment by the police. I thought back to the 1979 riots by San Francisco’s LGBT community, coming on the heels of the Dan White verdict. (White was the man who walked into Supervisor Harvey Milk’s office and shot him in cold blood, then successfully claimed the infamous “Twinkie” defense that he had eaten too much junk food). Though the rioting dismayed me, I also remember feeling an odd sort of pride that we, as an LGBT community, had been brave enough finally to stand up to what seemed terrible injustices. I’m by no means arguing that violence is ever an appropriate reaction. As a Buddhist and an adherent to the teachings of Gandhi and Dr. King, I believe only in non-violent responses to social wrongs. But America is much like a large, unruly family, which gathers under one roof yet comprises so many agendas and viewpoints. Just as we must learn to accept and embrace our less-than-favorite relations at the table, first by listening and then, if we can stand it, by empathy, so must we find a way to see the humanity even in these violent protestors. So on this Thanksgiving I hope we all take extra time and care to listen, and to not cast this as an “us” or a “them” issue. It is a “we” issue, and we must therefore solve it, together. Happy Thankgiving, friends, and may you find many blessings in the company of those you love.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 04:19:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015