24 June 2009

Understanding Risk and Revolution


It's a nice get-together with my in-laws on Father's Day.

The kids float in and out of adult conversations, wanting snuggles here and owie-mending there... when this particular adult conversation turns to Iran and the upheaval it is experiencing.

We discuss some of the complexities and conflicts most recently in the news, and I become particularly animated as I recount the rapid succession of tweets from a day prior, about the rooftop Allahu Akbar chants escalating into shouting that shook the city.

That catches my eight-year-old nephew's attention.

With fascination and callousness borne of near-complete lack of understanding, typical for his age, he asks, "Why don't the [Basij & co.] just shoot 'em?"

"Sometimes they do."

His face falls.

"These people," I continue, "are risking their lives to get up on their rooftops and shout because they believe so strongly in what they're doing."

It's quiet for a moment, and then the conversation moves appropriately in a different direction.

***
It was quite a sobering talk for me, too - having this risk illustrated so graphically.

In today's society, it is too easy to forget the real risk our own founders took in banding together and rebelling against the government they had. It wasn't clean and peachy: slander at least, hanging, burning, drawing-and-quartering...

And it makes me think.

What am *I* willing to stand up for?

What am *I* willing to risk?

I'm at least willing to put my own name out there.

It's Krista.

5 comments:

Ann said...

I think that's the best post you've ever written. You're an incredible person, Krista.

Jessie said...

You literally brought tears to me eyes and patrotism to my heart.... Thank you...

Happy Thought, Indeed! said...

I also choked up reading this just now.

Unknown said...

Great post. I wish I could sit around and discuss world issues with my family. I think the family is where it starts; our hopes, beliefs, dreams and concerns.

Great post and keep that light shinning.

Sarah said...

Well said...