EDITOR:
I appreciate Mr. James Fennell referring to the issue of capital
punishment in his roundup of local ‘liberal’ viewpoints for
2003.
EDITOR:
I appreciate Mr. James Fennell referring to the issue of capital punishment in his roundup of local ‘liberal’ viewpoints for 2003. There was not much of a reaction to that letter to The Dispatch advocating a moratorium on the death penalty in support of an Amnesty International initiative. And overall, I have received little feedback in response to my letters dealing with war, terrorism, justice, and peace. Maybe the issues are just too complex or not really relevant to our focus on our own economic well being.
As we look forward to 2004, I have an uneasy sense that the people who control the levers of power in our country have correctly judged most of the American public to be only concerned with their own self interests. Certainly we are a charitable nation, rushing aid to those in dire need; but for the most part are we unwilling to devote much energy to changing the structural injustices in our world and in our local communities. Most of our resources are directed to maintaining our position and lifestyle, expanding our status as the ‘top players’ in the social pyramid.
I admit my own complacency and indifference. It is much easier to go with the flow, to avoid critical thinking, to accept the superficial explanation, and to remain passive to what’s happening beyond my small space. It’s a big challenge for me because I am so absorbed with my own struggles, rather than to giving much consideration to the problems of other people I don’t even know.
Yet, it is still my opinion and my hope, that many people share with me the conviction of trying to do something, voicing our desire for justice and right relationships. We must sustain ourselves with the faith that peace is possible; with the belief that every act of kindness and concern, no matter how small, does make a difference in someone’s life. Let’s keep working on making our world and our Gilroy community a better place for all in 2004.
Mike Monroe, Gilroy
Submitted Friday, Jan. 2, to
ed****@****ic.com
