Protest
A lot of people are shouting and screaming outside embassies around the world right now, and I imagine not too many of them know why. Some of them are carrying very worrying placards and advocating terrible acts. There have been deaths. As ever, I struggle to find an appropriate response.
In 1963 a Vietnamese monk called Thich Quang Duc decided to voice his frustration at the oppression of his religion by the incumbent president. He did not kill anyone. He did not threaten anyone. He settled himself calmly at an intersection in Saigon, had his robes doused in petrol, and burned himself alive.
Could there be a stronger, more profound, more unselfish, more inspiring protest? Do any of those now threatening whole nations with murder have the selfless, titanic piety to do this? Well?
In 1963 a Vietnamese monk called Thich Quang Duc decided to voice his frustration at the oppression of his religion by the incumbent president. He did not kill anyone. He did not threaten anyone. He settled himself calmly at an intersection in Saigon, had his robes doused in petrol, and burned himself alive.
Could there be a stronger, more profound, more unselfish, more inspiring protest? Do any of those now threatening whole nations with murder have the selfless, titanic piety to do this? Well?
posted by The Moai at 5:55 AM
2 Comments:
Or maybe they could just write a stern letter, like normal people?
No, I think setting themselves on fire is an excellent idea!
Do you think we could persuade Noel Edmonds to do it too? (not in protest at anything, just to get him off the telly)
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