On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the University of Dayton held a talk entitled Moral Courage in the Americas: Solidarity with Ferguson and Ayotzinapa. The talk was sponsored by UD's Human Rights Center and explored the complexity of recent tragedies both within and beyond the U.S. I went to gather notes for a research paper for one of my classes, and I cannot imagine not going. I wish every single student at UD was sitting in Sears, hearing about these critical, urgent, traumatic issues. For those that couldn't attend, here are some powerful words that everyone should hear.
*As I was typing my heart out, it is very possible that I may not have captured the quotes with 100% accuracy. That being said, I believe they will still capture the soul of the Moral Courage talk.
1) "Those of us who enjoy the privileges of living in wealthy societies have much more to learn from the experiences and demands of the social movements of the excluded than any lessons we tend to think that we can impart."
-UD Human Rights Center Executive Director Camilo Perez-Bustillo
2) "Solidarity means erasing the borders that divide and separate us."
-Camilo Perez-Bustillo
3) "The single worst form of terror of all is that which is committed by state actors, by governmental authorities, on both sides of the border."
-Camilo Perez-Bustillo
4) "Poverty is a lack of control over one’s own circumstances [and thus] a violation to the right of self-determination."
-Camilo Perez-Bustillo
5) "I'm used to mourning, used to grief; but I saw anguish that comes from state-sanctioned violence that is ignored."
-Chicano poet & activist Elizabeth Dega
6) "This violence is happening because people in this country are complacent, complacent to sorrow that does not look like theirs."
-Elizabeth Dega on events like Ferguson & Ayotzinapa
7) "How do genocides happen? Look in the mirror. They happen when good honest people ignore the sorrow and suffering of those who are different."
-Elizabeth Dega
8) "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds."
-Elizabeth Dega, quoting a Mexican proverb, when discussing police using pepper spray and issuing arrests on peaceful protestors
9) "Start educating yourself and other about this; there is no justification for what is happening in this country."
-Elizabeth Dega
10) "Human suffering is the same. It’s a human experience; it impacts our humanity."
-Elizabeth Dega
11) "We’re all seeds; maybe street protesting isn’t your thing. Find a lane and work diligently every day towards that change; it’s going to take us all."
-Elizabeth Dega
12) "What’s it take to be a good ally in solidarity? Take a stand where it matters; be uncomfortable around family tables and kitchens."
-Elizabeth Dega
Visit the Moral Courage Project's Facebook page for more information.
