Why I Cannot Keep Silent
Tomorrow (1st July) I turn sixty. So what?
What does it count for if I feel comfortable sitting at my desk when Ukraine is being attacked incessantly by Russia? If Sudanese civilians are caught in a terrible conflict between rival factions? If the Palestinian people are slowly being driven out of their land and starved to death in what can only be described as Genocide? If racism is still a problem in our society? If women cannot feel safe when they walk at night?
It counts for nothing.
What does it count for if I am not willing to stand up for the oppressed, or the powerless? If am not willing to do my part to help those in a less fortunate position than myself? If I am not ready to speak up and defend those who have no means to defend themselves?
It counts for nothing.
If sixty is to have any real value then it can only be counted in the times I have shown humanity, given a few minutes to someone who needed an ear, provided a shoulder when someone needed to cry on it.
It can be measured in moments of courage, empathy or in words of encouragement.
I hope that I have had some of these moments.
This is my last rant before my sixtieth birthday.
I am sure there will be more.
In a previous blog in this series I posted a poem I wrote about the Holocaust. Here is one I dedicated to Palestinian poets. The discourse must continue until the killing stops.
While you are here please consider visiting the MSF website and giving them a donation. It is a charity that I support. I know that any donation is greatly appreciated no matter how small.
Thank you.
This blog is the twenty-ninth in a series of 30 leading up to my sixtieth birthday. Please consider subscribing to my blog to keep up to date with any future posts.
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Stephen Buttigieg - Words 