I support the labor movement, loudly, fervently, frequently. I may get a few odd looks, make a few enemies, have the occasional shouting match, but that's about as bad as it gets.
Last night I had the chance to very briefly meet Gerardo Cajamarca. He lives in the U.S. He's originally from Colombia. Colombia, for a trade unionist, is pure and unadulterated hell. He lives here because he fears for his life in Colombia for speaking and doing the things I take for granted.
Were someone to hold a gun to my mother's head and threaten to kill her, would I speak out? Were someone to tear apart my home, would I waffle in my support for organized labor? Were I in that man's shoes, would I demonstrate even half the courage he has shown - and continue to speak out so loudly against injustice? I have my doubts.
It is the Gerardos of the world who truly are heroes.
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2 comments:
OMG are you kidding me?
Gerardo Cajamarca is not a hero, at least he's not to us COLOMBIANS, maybe he's for brain-washed gringos like you who think NARCO-TERRORIST GUERRILLAS are "freedom fighters".
Wow. Few things are more persuasive than liberal use of the all-caps key, an ad hominem attack based on one's ethnicity and supposed brain-washing, and tossing about references to terrorism. Truly impressive.
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