It is not an accident that so often an invading army’s first triumphant act is to sack and burn the libraries and museums. A people without access to its art and accumulated wisdom is indeed vanquished. It is significant that dictatorships make a practice of imprisoning dissident poets and novelists. Real artists—people who distill and communicate the truth, often at great personal cost—are the most dangerous figures in a repressive society. And that is why you are needed, desperately, now.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
In the midst of all the chaos in the world, it can be easy to feel as if one's writing, one's voice, can't make much of a difference. I am grateful to Dr. Sue O'Doherty for reminding us that our words matter.
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2 comments:
Great post, Gayle, thanks.
Do you think there's any real hope for a future society where the poor and weak are not ruled and controlled by the rich and power-mongers? sigh
Geek comment: that's the real reason, I think, there are so many Trekkies. Gene Roddenberry created one of a very few optimistic future worlds.
Hi Donna!
I had never thought of Star Trek that way before--I love that interpretation. It makes me want to be a Trekkie!
And even though I know it is very unlikely that the future will be some sort of utopia, I can't let myself give up hope that things will improve over time. I think humanity has evolved (especially over the last 50 years, with the civil rights and women's rights movements) and while we have taken many steps backwards lately, I can't help but believe that we will continue to evolve as people, and will one day create a more just and compassionate society. Let's hope so!
xo
gayle
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