Like so many others, I have been following coverage of the terrorist attack on the staff of the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.
There are many striking aspects to the event, but the one I want to write about tonight is the magnificent quotation from the assassinated editorial director of Charlie Hebdo.
More below the fleur de kos!
Stephane Charbonnier, known simply as Charb, said this:
I’d rather die standing than live on my knees.
I have played it over and over to myself for hours now, in admiration.
If one could pick a quotation to survive oneself, a quotation to form the perfect lead-in to one’s legacy, one could not do better than Charb has done. The words sing to the heavens of his courage and dignity.
Inevitably, the great example he set serves as stark contrast to the character of our political adversaries, whose trumpeting of the free market is matched only by the hypocrisy of their manipulations and cheating. Their campaigns are designed to transport … well, everyone, really, supporter and foe alike, into reactive states, states of lower sentience, let’s say. States of fear, or jealousy or hatred, states of anger. They love fear with a passion, for the opportunity it provides to manipulate voters into forgetting their self-interest. They want their voters to be the diametrical opposite of Charb. NOT standing, but quivering in fear and misery, on their knees, as it were. Not upright like a thinking, engaged, responsible human being. A human being dedicated to living her or his own life, fully and completely, dignified, not yanked hither and yon by a leash of fear and loathing.
We may not think of it when we enter the ballot box, but isn’t it REALLY the choice we make?! Whether to stand tall and live as a mature, vital human being, or dropping to one’s knees in the hope that timid supplication will keep one safe and unharmed? Even if it means sacrificing everything? Including one’s intelligence, integrity and conscience? It isn’t strong, and it isn’t dignified. Char is gone now, but he showed a much better way. A much more brilliant and dynamic an existence.
Merci, Charb!
Thanks for visiting tonight! Happy Kibitzing!
|
|
|
|
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
|
|