I thought to repost this from August 6, 2011 as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday and as the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians escalates. These journalists are amazing. I'm thankful for what they're doing and praying for their safety.
************************************************************************************
On second thought, would I really have the courage to be in Libya, Syria or Yemen right now? Would I tolerate at age 40 the sound of bombs and the constant possibility of death that I and so many others tolerated as children during Lebanon's civil war? Can I run as fast? Would snipers spare me now as they did then? And, what would cheer me up amid the chaos as my father's gifts of candy did every time we took shelter?
I don't have the answers to those questions. Perhaps courage and adventure are for the young, and I'm squarely in my middle years now. But as I follow the news every day, I'm amazed at the journalists who are risking their lives to shine the light on daily acts of injustice and brutality. I worry about their safety and their mental health. I worry about them being kidnapped and tortured. I just worry.
But more than worry, I feel an enormous sense of gratitude that they are there. Oppression all over the Arab world is nothing new. What is new is that it's no longer hidden behind the facade of the oppressors. Thanks to the Internet, the world knows to pay attention. Thanks to courageous journalists, the world can have eyes and ears on the ground to make sense of the events. Hopefully, this translates into international determination and action to stop and prevent atrocities. My hat is off to these amazingly brave men and women who are truly helping to shape a better future for millions of people.
Godspeed!
Laura
