Frustrated in the last couple of days for not trying to do anything to help address the Gaza issue, but nevertheless determined to not make the mistake of just sitting down and moping, finally joined a protest against the Gaza invasion, especially the civilian casualties of the war.
The conflict is long-standing, and I leave it for now for others to elaborate on the issue, but one thing has to be clarified: Israel cannot claim self-defence against a place it has held in economic and political stranglehold, almost a genocidal occupation, just as Nazis couldn't claim self-defence against Polish or French partisans, or the Japanese Imperial Army couldn't claim self-defence against Filipino resistance fighters during World War II.
And it does not justify always over-reacting and hurting civilians in the process. It's like using a flamethrower in retaliation to a matchstick.
I used to have an Israeli officemate who imbibed Israel's place in the universe, but I'd beg to differ, dearie, you are causing a holocaust on another people, which has to stop, and you must both start making arrangments to live in peace.
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Some good news just in: Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza. The peace process is just beginning.
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During the rally, because I was wearing this Che shirt, on the way got greeted with 'Viva La Cubana!' Can't they see I'm Asian? Haha! (I'll perhaps narrate the story later of how many Filipinos look exactly like the Spanish). Che, of course, is a symbol of the international solidarity of people in struggle.
After the rally, we proceeded to Darling Harbour to watch 'Fantastic Planet', a 1973 Cannes animation, which featured this human-like creatures called Oms, enslaved and made as playthings by the gigantic Drogs. Some of the Oms managed to escape and live as savages, who are then subjected to constant 'De-Oh-misation', much like real humans engage in pest control. The Oms learn to fight back, after a domesticated Om called Ter escapes with a Drog device which allows them to learn the Drog's technology. The Oms acquire the power to destroy the Drogs, but decide instead to live peacefully with the Drogs.
And so the film captured the desires of the previous rally. But here's the great part: the film was shown in a barge in the middle of the water at Darling Harbour. And, get this, the sound track was being played with a live band! And what great music it was! Played by the Orkestra of the Underground, it featured a musical mashup of horns, sitar, synthesisers, drums, tabla, strings, Indian vocals, guitar, Bosnian Gypsy opera, decks and junk percussion.
What a lovely Sunday.
Posted at 05:40 am by starsi
