Never give up. They were born to make life, and they are. Palestinian children from Gaza, smiling in despite of the destruction all around them (13/9/14). In sad and desperate times, these children still cling on to hope. Despite experiencing excruciating, times of misfortune, they keep on smiling.
It takes great courage to stay delicate in a world this cruel.
They stay human, but lets not forget our silence allows us to consent to their dreams being torn apart.
Sad to hear of the passing of the comic Robin Williams,a sad loss indeed. My heart though goes to the many who have been effected by this story. The millions of individuals whose stories and voices are never heard. We can never really know or understand the suffering of others. But the reality is that daily people suffer, many in silence, with no support. We must keep working on our self-awareness, drop the shame and the guilt. I am sorry to have to say this, but there is no easy way of coping daily with an illness that causes exhaustion, physically and mentally. Many people still live with undiagnosed or untreated depression, often masked by self-medication of alcohol or drugs. There are no magic formulas, but I guess the strength of others can help, and it is always good to swim along waves of pride, love and hope.
Often when we are alone and in despair it is easy to get lost, find ourselves in rooms that offer no means of escape, so I can understand why some people choose to let go. But I remember too, that some of us find ways to cope, paths of living and endurity, and survival, but even then we are left to our own devices, have to do it all on our own.
I remember today all the victims, that this government of ours has caused with blood on its hands, stopping essential services to those that really need it, the cutting off of benefits to the marginalised and the walking wounded. I remember the outsiders, the stigmatised, the branded, the unloved, the unwanted. The devastation daily caused to lives already finding it difficult to cope, their lives a daily battle, a continuing battle of the wits. We need to find ways to be there for them, if they talk, then we must listen, don't judge, give them your opinions. A hug perhaps, maybe some reassurance, but remember you are never in their shoes. But we should not give up on them, allow them to breathe in a little hope. Personally the black dog still comes a barking, I can never know when it will appear, in the meantime I try to engage with time, patience and kindness, find ways to express some of my inner angst, and at the end the day, I tend to think,that what the world really needs is a restart, some much needed compassion and peace.
I am very honoured and privileged to be included in this new book published by Onslaught Press, http://onslaughtpress.tumblr.com/tradefor the children of Gaza, with a poem published under my actual name in an anthology of poems and art work. Great to be part of a project that has been released so quickly, with some well chosen poems, all powerful and moving stirring in their own way. You can contribute yourself by buying a copy here.http://onslaughtpress.tumblr.com/trade
Below is the preface written by the editors, Mathew Staunton and Rethabile Masilo.
preface
Operation Protective Edge, described by US Secretary of State John Kerry as "Israel's appropriate and legitimate effort to defend itself" from Hamas rocketeers and tunnel builders, is now in its fourth week. Unfortunately for the civilian population of Gaza, however, there is little in this operation that could reasonably be considered defensive. The destruction of Gaza's civilian infrastructure and its only power station, the targeting of schools, hospitals, mosques, fishing boats, orchards, and the beach is more about making life intolerable for Gazans than it is about ending rocket attacks.
The civilian death toll, and the number of child casualties in particular, make it difficult to see this as anything other than collective punishment. And yet we are asked everyday to believe that these casualties are ' legitimate, 'unavoidable', appropriate', 'justified', 'necessary', and 'reasonable' and that children are dying because they are being used as 'human shields'.
Suffering is increasingly mediated by diplomats, official spokespeople, broadcasters, news corporations, community leaders, spin doctors, and legal tams, but usually with no more than a passing commentary. We see more and more pictures of dead children on our screens and in our newspapers but the texts and speeches that accompany them are full of ambigious and misleading words, or words with no meaning at all. Sometimes there are so many dead children that it is more expedient to forget about words alltogether and simply use numbers.
The contributors to this book are telling the story of our anger and disgust and horror. You will not be surprised to discover that there is darkness in many of the texts that follow. But there is also joy and beauty. Its aim is much less to accuse than to paint a correct picture of what most of the world seemingly does not see, or chooses not to see, and we think that a right recognition of the reality of Gaza today needs to be accompanied by the right remedial action. Such action is in the hands of all of us, even if the leaders of the world, who are indeed in the best position to act, do not.
What is at stake in Gaza goes well beyond the politics of sides and enters the consideration of crime and of killing. There are many accomplices on both sides and as in any crime, they, too must be held accountable. Bishop Tutu has said that "if you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." The work presented here by many artists and writers from all corners of the world attempts, unlike the non-actions of those who actually have political clout and power, to choose the side of the oppressed.
Suddenly in the face of these killing, it does not matter that tunnels have been dug, or that rockets are being launched at Israeli cities. Even if you are right; what suddenly matters is choosing to kill your opponent, who is weaker.
Solidarity with all those marching for Gaza and Palestine today.
Silence is complicity. The chance to be a force for good in the world is there for the taking. I hope more join Ken Loach and others willing to speak their minds - movement and momentum is everything.
In September 2014 (4th and 5th) NATO will bring its summit to Wales. Throughout Wales opposition grows, peace activists and members from a wide section of our communities are already spreading an alternative message across our land, with campaigners starting of on a 192-mile Long March On Newport inspired by the Chartist Uprising.
We have a long proud tradition of standing up for peace, against injustice, this is what I hope the walkers will bring to mind. Ordinary people reflecting a different view, another path. Against militarism and institutions that perpetuate violence on a global scale. As heads of governments from 60 countries head to Newport, at Celtic Manor Resort I sincerely hope that the people of Wales, are joined in solidarity from people from all walks of life who want to see an end to aggression perpetuated by alliances forged with imperialistic agendas, that seem to serve only their own self interests, profiteers of war and poverty, with the added obscene costs of this summit in these austere times, a clear message of defiance and resistance must be delivered. To demand a world without bosses or bombs.
Marchers plan to start from the Eisteddfod in Llanelli today to arrive in Newport on August 29 ,the day before a planned demonstration in the city, I hope to make the journey at some later stage too.
While everyone is crying for Peace and crying out for Justice and crying out for justice, heard about this worrying incident at the Welsh National Eisteddfod yesterday, a choir called Cor Seingar from Carmarthenshire was wearing pro-Palestinian badges and the BBC told them take the badges off or the BBC would not broadcast their performance.
The BBC has said that this was just a misunderstanding but the choir disagrees, and the choir is taking it further. All they were doing is wearing badges as a gesture of support and solidarity.http://www.golwg360.com/newyddion/Cymru/158944-bbc-yn-rhwystro-perfformwyr-rhag-dangos-bathodyn-palestina
I'm not sure if I can trust the Beeb at moment, because this is the same BBC where Lyse Doucet said that the ceasefire in Gaza means that the Arab fishermen can go back fishing on the sea normally again. What she or the BBC do not say is that the Palestinians are not allowed to go out beyond 250 metres off the beaches, and have not been allowed to do this since 2007, because of the illegal blockade thrust upon them. Its all reported as if nothing was wrong in Gaza prior to 4 weeks ago, and the same BBC that uses its news services to spread its messages of jingoism in support of things that only readers of the Daily Mail would want to hear about.
Leon Rosselson has written a powerful new song about Gaza. A song from the heart for all of us, which you might like to share.
A song which tells the story of two children in different wars.
We build anniversaries, to remember horror,
as genocide still brings its daily misery,
we should never forget, anybody's senseless slaughter,
all those tragically killed in patriotic disguise.
The innocent victims, the fallen, the walking wounded,
all those that do not return home, those that mourn,
the many voices, silenced and stilled,
their names and stories forever touch and live.
We remember as long as dead names are coughed out,
as time moves on, locomotive tracks of destruction still created,
as days stretch, we do not follow complicity with silence,
remind ourselves of senses of humanity, left scattered and slain.
We remember too, all those who refuse to fight,
branded cowards, treated like an enemy,
as they battle for a world of peace,
against brutal threads that leave us numb.
With these memories, we continue to share,
spreading the fever of anger, across many lands,
all loss is like a ruined tunnel of light,
a centenary later, we again chant words of peace,
swimming together, desperately under dangerous sky.
In a video meant to draw attention to innocents killed in Gaza violence.Two Canadian schoolgirls, described as Palestinian Syrians are warmly embraced by Toronto strangers, when they hold up a sign saying ' HUG A TERRORIST'.
As Gaza and Palestinians resist the continual terrorist attack and brutal emotional and physical abuse, that has resulted in a toll of 1000 plus deaths, thousands injured, nearly all of them civilians, and mostly women and children, the full destruction of the City, the world is finally experiencing a rude awakening.
This war on Gaza has been justified under the pretext of fighting terror, yet children are the main victims.
Only yesterday Israel shelled a U.N school in Gaza, killing 16. Where Palestinians had been sheltering after being told to evacuate their homes. Women and children, killed while sleeping.
Clearly a crime against humanity.
Let me ask you,WHO ARE THE REAL TERRORISTS?
Born of East European Jewish parents. Spending two years in Israel in the late 1950's, before returning to the UK. Artist, poet, performer, visionary. Lyric writer, singer and front person for seminal band the Poison Girls, the first anarchist feminist rock band, which between 1977 and 1989 was a potent force in the international peace movement playing hundreds of gigs in the UK, Europe, Scandivania and the USA. A truly amazing, inspiring individual. Here's to all the persons unknown.
This is a message to persons unknown
persons in hiding / persons unknown
survival in silence isn't good enough no more
keeping your mouth shut / head in the sand
terrorists and saboteurs / each and every one of us
hiding in shadows / persons unknown
hey there mr average/ you don't exist/ you never did
hiding in shadows / persons unknown
habits of hiding soon will be the death of us
dying in secret from poisons unknown
this is a message to persons unknown
strangers and passers-by / persons unknown
turning a blind eye / hope to go unrecognised
keeping your secrets / persons unknown
housewifes and prostitutes / plumbers in boiler suits
truents in coffee bars / you think you're alone
big men on building sites/ sick men in dressing gowns
agents in motor cars who never go home
women in factories / one parent families
women in purdah / persons unknown
wild girls and criminals / rotting in prison cells
patients in corridors / persons unknown
statistics on balance sheets / numbered and rubber-stamped
blind and invisible / you're lost in your homes
liggers and layabouts / lovers on roundabouts
wake up in the morning with persons unknown
accountants in nylon shirts / feminists in floral skirts
nurses for when it hurts / persons unknown
astronauts and celibates / deejays and hypocrites
Liars and lunatics / persons unknown
hopefully on football pools / teachers in empty schools
kids into heroin / not yet fully grown
typists and usherettes / black men who can't forget
the lonely who long for persons unknown
closet idealists / bald-headed realists
rastas and bikers / the voice on the phone
pimps and economists / royalty and communists
rioters and pacifists /persons unknown
visionaries with coloured hair / leather boys who just don't care
garter girls with time to spare / persons unknown
judges with prejudice / dissidents and anarchists
policemen deal dirty tricks to persons unknown
strikers and pickets / collectors of tickets
radical architects / the queen on her throne
soldiers in uniform / sailors and stevedores
beggars and bankers / perjurors and men of law
football crowd hooligans / bunkin' of scool again
workers down tools again / united's at home'!
smokers with heart disease / cleaners of lavatories
the old with their memories /persons unknown
flesh and blood are who we are / flesh and blood are what we are
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is blown
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is blown
flesh and blood are who we are / flesh and blood are who we are
flesh and blood are who we are / our cover is blown
