I am one who does not feel we should be celebrating the 2008 Olympics in China because I do not like the way that the Chinese Government does business. This is an authoritarian regime that represses minorities, freedom of speech and individual expression in order to fulfill a warped manifesto that prioritizes material gain over life, liberty and environmental security. The very fact that the Chinese Government has systematically obliterated the Tibetan landscape, culture and religion, not to mention funded the violence in Darfur in exchange for oil, qualifies as nothing short as a double genocide. I can barely live with myself for having indirectly supported such atrocities through my unwilling consumption of anything ‘Made in China’ and would love to have been one of the British demonstrators who today unveiled banners in Beijing in support of the Tibetan cause. What will unveiling a banner do for anyone’s cause? Likely not much, but likely a lot more than doing as advertisers hope we will do and tune in to Beijing’s Games on television.
Alas, I think that our society’s acceptance on mass of these Games is really just a another sad symptom of a much greater ill – that we have become complacent in all things economic trumping the basic human rights of minority impoverished communities and the voiceless natural environment. Apparently our society is now willing to tolerate hegemonic injustice as long as the upper/middle classes’ quest for greater material wealth, architectural triumph and sporting achievement is not interrupted. And sadly this is likely to continue all the way to our impending planetary doom.
How is that for an uplifting conclusion?
Newsflash – it doesn’t have to be the way it ends. Because people like you and me, people that care, people that are courageous enough to challenge the status quo are willing to speak out against injustice and assert ourselves in the face of tyranny, are doing something about it.
My wife is one of the best farmers I know. Despite being with child and the fact that she more than carries her weight with her teaching career, she was out weeding today until 5:15 with the rest of our crew. We are also fortunate to have four brave young souls that have chosen to spend their summer working with us on the farm for far less material gain than they could amass working elsewhere because they hope and dream of a better planet and a better life for us all. They should all be commended. Laura’s and my parents, friends and family members have been extremely supportive of our endeavours and continue to lend us a hand in countless ways – thanks, we love you guys. Our 35ish CSA members and hundreds more loyal market customers that spend their hard earned dollars on our food because they wish to be a part of a solution to a better planet – you too are a source of inspiration. To these good souls and all the rest that are going out of your! way to take the road less traveled in the face of all obstacles – thank you on behalf of our team and of future generations.
From the fringe, as always –
