The gunfire around us made it hard to hear, but the human voice is different from other sounds. It can be heard over the noises that bury everything else even when it's not shouting, even if it's just a whisper. Even the lowest whisper can be heard over armies when it's telling the truth.
Everyone who loses somebody wants to revenge on God if they can't find anyone else. But in Africa, the Ku believe that the only way to end the grief is to save a life. If someone is murdered, a year of mourning ends with a ritual that we call the Drowning Man Trial. The Ku believe that if the family lets the killer drown, they'll have justice but spend the rest of their lives in mourning. But if they save him and admit that life isn't always just. That very way will take away sorrow. Vengeance is a lazy form of grief.
After the rallies, after my parents and sister were killed, then the rifles came out. It was the only way to get anyone to listen just to listen.
I walked away from Africa wth nothing, no brother, no family, no lover, nothing. Just belive that words and compassion are the better way even if it's slower than the gun.
Hove Vambi killed by landmines.
Alexander Mungoshi, Charles Kufomo, Ruth Kufomo, shot to death defending their home.
Robert Chenjari, Benita Matkudzi, burn to death during a protest rally.
Edgar Sakuro, Masumi Bamcha, John Enkumo, Yvon Enkumo, Steve Gawanda, Solo Gawanda, Steven Shamere, Stambuli Watiku, Esther Tikebmu, Simon Broome, shot to death in a soccer stadium.
一切欢喜都不可能长久，只有不堪回首的记忆，才被人屡屡提起，难以忘怀。
谨以此，纪念，即将到来的，日本投降纪念日。
1945年8月15日
2010年8月15日
