Reflection

It has been one month since we created this blog, but it hasn't been month since we started caring about others and thus being interested in human rights.

I for one, have been a member of Amnesty International for a very long time. I strongly believe in the effectiveness of the letters, of the protest marches, of any and every event that takes places when organised by the organisation or local/grassroots members of the organisation. I have never been able to verify it of course. Other than in news provided by Amnesty itself or diverse news reports from even more diverse sources.

But I believe. Today's technological possibilities create a situation where one human being's plight seems to become any other human being's cross to bear. We share the "other"'s suffering on levels which weren't possible before. As an example : our facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24095936128) has , at the moment, 87 members. In contrast, the " Burma campaign" (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24957770200) group has around 400 000 members. Now these numbers could mean absolutely nothing if the members hadn't chosen to enter the group.

Without wanting to start a study on group dynamics and the power of peer pressure, the simple choice of the click has opened a myriad of new possibilities for the new members. Access to more information, possibilities of action and so on.But above all, I believe these numbers are simple proof that people care. Thus the myth of apathy dies : Thus a movement is born.

And movements can do a lot. Be they virtual or real. The Tiananmen square massacre still influences the social and political make-up of today's China. The Madres de la plaza de Mayo in Argentina have become one of the most powerful groups in the country. If you're reading this, and are not part of a movement, of a group, of an NGO, do think about it. Possibilities are endless, it's up to us, human beings, to support each other. And help each other.

Just some thoughts... You, CAN help. Just because THEY have AK-47's and tanks doesn't mean a simple letter or e-mail cannot turn the tide.Again, it's up to you.

True, This! —
Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself a nothing! —
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it

Thus a movement is born.

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=407