By Timothy P Holmberg — Photo credit Malcolm Wilde Browne /AP
People of my generation will remember the Vietnam War. Some will also remember the self immolation of Thích Quảng Đức, a Buddhist monk to lit himself on fire over South Vietnam’s persecution of Buddhists. We were enabling that persecution because South Vietnam was our ally (sound familiar). We didn’t do it intentionally, of course, anymore than we intend the deaths of innocent Palestinians today. But the politics of the day trumped our moral scruples, as it is today.
At least then, our society was engaged enough to care to protest. Now, we hardly do more than gas about stuff on Facebook. We put almost nothing on the line while our country runs amok. I suppose the insurrectionists on January 6th said the same thing as they stormed the Capitol (which was abominable). Today, we are complicit in a genocide (again). Most of us shoulder shrug. I published articles about it, and a hater went on my business page and called me a racist for not supporting Israel. At least I did something.
A few days ago, an actively serving Airman self immolated in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington. A video is posted that he took as he committed his act.
I don’t know the right words for how I feel about this (and I am a writer). Horrified, shocked, saddened, sure. But also solemn, respectful. I don’t endorse self immolation any more than I would suicide, nor do speak ill of the dead. In that vein, I feel compelled not to speak ill of any who makes such and extreme statement to jar our conscience into action. To lift ourselves from the sofa and be more than apathetic as we enable the deaths of 30,000+ people on a tiny tract of land with nowhere to hide.
Our primary election is on March 5th in California. Joe Biden will win it, and I recognize he must. But I must also do something. I must stand in solidarity with other Arab and Muslim-Americans who will register their protest on their primary ballot. I will write in “Cease Fire” on my ballot, under presidential choice. As a gay man, I’m aware many Muslims and Arabs would not lift a finger to do such a thing for me. But that does not relieve me of my obligation to my conscience. Only humanity will beget humanity.
Tim, thank you for clearly being able to express what is the better path for us, as imperfect human beings, to obtain a more moral life path. Your life experiences although painful to you, make your insights valuable.
Your words always touch my heart, Timothy Holmberg. I'm with you on the writing in of Cease-fire, but I hope it does nothing to the vote I'm sending to Barbara Lee. As always, I will share your words and hope that others will benefit from the exposure to your thoughts. Thanks for always being spot on!