Fig Tree Articles

Editorial

I am with you, but I am not you. I am in solidarity with your suffering

Today and always…

            I am Jewish. I am Muslim.

            I am Christian. I am Buddhist.

            I am African American.

            I am Native American.

            I am Asian American

            I am Pacific Islander American.

            I am European American.

            I am Hispanic/Latin American.

            I am a Guatemalan/Salvadoran American.

            I am Mexican American.

            I am an immigrant American.

            I am a global American.

            I am a woman American.

            I am a man American.

            I am a straight American.

            I am an LGBTQ American.

            I am a young/an elder American.

            I am a homeless American.

            I am a poor American.

            I am a rich American.

            I am a middle class American.

            I am a conservative American.

            I am a moderate American.

            I am a liberal American.

            I am underemployed and need justice.

            I am overworked and need time.

            I am sick and need care.

I am with you, but I am not you.

            I have a unique story

                        unique experiences

                        a unique heritage

                        unique relationships

                                    that include many

                                    cultures, peoples

                                    stories, lives

                        from a unique path

                                    in American history

                                    in today's politics

                                    in civil rights

                                    in peacemaking

                                    in justice seeking

                                    in global ties

                                    in immigrant heritage

                                    in indigenous roots.

I am not you,

            I have not suffered

                        what you have suffered

                        but I know suffering—

                                    I am with you.

            I have suffered

                        because society suffers

                        the world suffers..

                        I suffer

                                    because you suffer.

            We all suffer

                        from oppression

                                    fed by hate

                        from violence

                                    fed by fear

                        from injustice

                                    fed by greed

                        from inequity

                                    fed by power

                        from pollution

                                    fed by expedience.

All those dynamics affect

            your life and mine

            our families

            our communities

            our society

            our nation

            our world.

No, I am not you

            but I can be

                        in solidarity

                                    with you.

            I can walk

                        beside you.

            I can be

                        your partner

            So when 'they'

                        come for you

                        I'll say no.

                        I'll protest.

            So when 'they'

                        steal your land, wealth

                        I'll say no.

                        I'll protest.

                        I'll speak out.

            So when 'they'

                        deny your rights

                        cut your opportunities

                                    I'll say no.

                                    I'll protest.

                                    I'll speak out.

                                    I'll share your story.

Those in power

            Will foster your tribalism,

            Your racial, cultural ties,

            Your separate identity

            To wedge and divide us.

            Because I'm not you,

                        I'll be there.

                        I'll say no.

                        I'll protest.

                        I'll speak up.

                        I'll share the stories

                                    that connect us

                                    that bridge our gap

                                    that build understanding

                                    that celebrate

                                                our diversity

                                                our unity

                                                our solidarity as people.