Funferal

This IS what democracy looks like

By funferal guest columnist Sabryna CornishNo war thing. That’s how Dylaan (he’s 6) described what we went to Saturday. We joined thousands of other people in Chicago and millions around the world to let the government know that one year later, we still object to the occupation of Iraq by the United States.And don’t get me wrong, I certainly mean to use the word occupation. What else do you call a country that comes into another country uninvited, bombs the hell out of it, installs the military and makes empty promises about the good it is doing. I marched Saturday and I brought Dylaan because I wanted him to know that I do not approve of the political or military tactics that George W. Bush is making in my name as an American citizen.How dare he kill people in my name. The blood is on all Americans’ hands, for we did not have the presence of mind to elect a Congress that would stop such a madman. I am an American and I am proud of that. I am embarrassed by the political system that allows someone to become president who did not receive the majority of the vote, someone who has his own personal agenda and does not care that there are thousands of casualties and dead.And for what? What point was he trying to make? We are at a dangerous time in world history where the United States is standing on the ledge of a deep chasm and it is up to the people to decide whether we are going to jump into the abyss and go it alone, or whether we turn back and try to live peacefully on an Earth that should be big enough for all its 6 billion inhabitants.When Dylaan asks me why we marched, I tell him quite simply “because we want people to know that we believe in peace.” That we believe a better world is possible if only it is given a chance. Of course, this is hard to explain to a 6-year-old as we are peacefully marching down Clark Street while hundreds of police in full riot gear are lining the sides of the marchers. Nevermind the City of Chicago is having some serious budgetary problems, break out the cash and pay hundreds of police overtime and hazardous duty pay so that all three of those arrested will be good and scared!I think the most poignant moment of Saturday’s march was holding Dylaan’s hand and hearing him repeat with me the answer to the question “What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like.” May that statement remain true in my lifetime and his.