Despite & still
Tiny thoughts on action, democracy, and communality.
The wonders:
Sacrifice is looked upon as an exceptional act, to let go of what currently is for an event that could potentially be is a portrayal of discipline, resolve, and courage. There is a quote about sacrifice that has haunted me for two years, by Craig Mazin, creator of the show Chernobyl. He speaks of the story of two people in particular who stayed at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to try to save it from further collapse.
“[They] did stand there in radiated water underneath a burning open reactor, turning valves by hand for hours, to try and cool something that didn’t even exist anymore. And of course they die. But they did that to save people because there was a chance it might work. So that spirit, is so beautiful…you see the same thing across the world in health care professionals, in our doctors and our nurses who are doing these things because they must. They must. They are compelled to by their own spirit and ability to save lives even when it means they are putting their own life in danger, and they are.”
In a few breaths, this quote elucidates the resolve of heroes in two pressing conflicts, the pandemic and war, which I’ve consolidated into two quotidian words: despite and still. It’s the way that courage is held in people still carrying forward, despite knowing what’s in store. It’s still acting despite fear.
Craig Mazin: “…And what is the history of 20th century Eastern Europe if not tragedy after tragedy after tragedy—if you really want to focus on where the tragedy hit the hardest over and over, you end up in Ukraine. Over and over and over. Where the Soviet Union smashes up against Europe. Over and over, I see the spirit of communality in these people and it was so important for me to show Americans in particular, how incredibly noble and brave these people were…
So in my research about Chernobyl, one of the things I took away and felt strongest about was the nobility and courage of the average Soviet citizen who got so little from their government but derived so much from their patriotism for each other. Even as they hated their government, they could love each other and the land. And I needed to show that.”
Americans value democracy, and Ukrainian love for community has shown the struggle for its protection to be a reality. In the narrative of their courage, their trauma must not be glorified. I hope Americans will band together to support them as best as possible—here are some ways to do so.
Things I’m keeping an eye on (and you can too!):
1. What Is the Cost of Lies: HBO's Chernobyl
Here is the interview aforementioned above. To reference those quotes specifically, some beautiful context is provided ~39 minutes in, until ~44 minutes.
2. Threatened, harassed, punished: The Uyghur translators defying China to tell Xinjiang’s story
“A key part of China’s efforts to silence the Uyghurs has been to take away their language.” A must-read in order to spread awareness to defy silence. Surfaced for me by Radio Rani’s newsletter.
Community center:
If there’s anything you’re reading, writing, feeling, eating, organizing, please share. For any other comments, feel free to reach out via Twitter, Instagram, or email. Can’t wait to listen. Sending lots of love.