This Week in the Mercury
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Portland On Idealism And Protest
Posted by Matt Davis on Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 5:27 PM
I'm no longer an idealist. But that doesn't mean I can't admire the work of those who are. Here's a Youtube of the protest organized by the Portland Coalition Against Poverty outside the Portland Police Bureau on September 17.
Watching it, I couldn't help but cringe. These guys sincerely believe in what they're fighting for and calling for, and there's something about the speech that grabs me. Yet, at the same time, I can't help thinking the whole thing seems naive. One thing I'm sure of: They mean it. And maybe that's enough. I can't remember the last time I sincerely meant anything I said, without at least a trace of irony, regret, or doubt. Actually I can...it was last week. But I'm not about to talk about "community power" without a cynic's awareness of what that really looks like in Portland in 2008. It shaves, for starters. And it cuts its hair. And it gets these BLOODY kids off my lawn...
1
Fear is the mindkiller, and we create what we believe...
It took the "dream' of a young black man in the 60's to bring about the unimaginable desegregation of our country, and he gave his life to realize it.
Idealism is the ONLY thing that works, because it is believing beyond reason that RIGHT HAS MIGHT, and REASON WILL HAVE ITS SEASON.
Keep fighting for the DREAM we will make REALITY!
You are a HERO to THE PEOPLE.
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