US airman dies after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy
WASHINGTON: A US military service member has died, after setting himself on fire in an apparent act of protest against the war in Gaza, outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Sunday (Feb 2
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Aaron Bushnell, hero and role model
I wish he had another choice. We failed him by not being organized enough to welcome him as a comrade. Instead he chose to do the only thing he could. I admire his courage, but it's a damn shame we lost someone willing to die for Palestinians.
We've failed him, we've failed the Palestinians, we've failed our immigrants and refugees, we've failed our LGBTQ+ people and people of color, we've failed our poor. The story of America is a story of one failure after another.
And I say "America" even though this is world news, because he was American.
Sometimes I have this thought that feels like a realization that it was never even about "the people" or "freedom" to begin with.
It was about creating an in-group and implementing a caste system under the deceptive guise of democracy. What it's never actually been is democratic or free.
He was actively involved in anarchist organizing with Serve the People in Akron, OH.
I wasn't aware of that, but I say that's an indictment of their organization; a small org that doesn't ever get beyond charity work and the occasional street protest could not save him from despair. A few thousand likes on Facebook? Is that the height of the organization he could join in his area? I'm sure they're trying their best, but we have to get organized on a much larger scale to be able to do anything that matters.
Beyond being an indictment of their org, that's an indictment of us all. We are not organized enough. Not even close.
I'd like to know why anyone would downvote this. Do you support genocide?
Maybe people are understandably uncomfortable with self immolation? Nobody has ever liked an effective activist in their time. The civil rights protesters in USA had a <25% approval rate in the 60s.
I think this person did what he thought was right, and I will remember him for that. And peace can't come soon enough.
I fully agree. I have mad respect for him, which is why I expressed my admiration and support.
We should ask the question: is it really effective? Is anybody even talking about the guy who self-immolated in Colorado for the cause of climate change? Hell, even this event is being suppressed and swept under the rug. And those media orgs who do cover it are choosing to take up a "mental illness" angle to dismiss it.
Sadly there are still a lot of vile people on Lemmy. A lot less than Reddit, but still plenty
And they all stick to the same 3 instances.
Telling people that someone who burn himself is a role model is poor taste even if you respect the cause.
How so? I'm expressing my respect and gratitude in the best way I know how.
This is tiresome and pointless pearl clutching.
I think the "pearls being clutched" are that you have a great general point but are suggesting something strange. A role model is someone you want people to imitate. We want people to get his message, not to just do the same thing.
Sacrifices like this should always be super rare. If he's inspiring others to action, then it should be mass protests (at least), not more immolations.
A role model is someone you want people to imitate
Yes
Sacrifices like this should always be super rare. If he's inspiring others to action, then it should be mass protests (at least), not more immolations.
Imagine gatekeeping protests.
What do you mean - do you think more people should set themselves on fire?
I'd never presume to be so haughty as to prescribe to another person a form of protest, nor to disparage a meaningful and impactful act like this.
But you are saying he's a role model, which means you think more people ought to imitate him.
Yes, I do. I think we should be like him and stand up for what is right. 100% correct.
Can we please not call people who set themselves on fire role models?
Aaron Bushnell is a fucking role model
I wish I had half the courage it took
I don't get this, I'm sure right-wingers would wish you had the courage, too. Why would you idolize this instead of looking at it like a tragedy?
Because I am not going to disrespect a deep and meaningful selfless act like his. I'm not so disrespectful
Lol sure. I don't think it makes sense to have the same goals as a Zionist, personally. You and a Zionist both wish you were "courageous" enough to kill yourself, I don't see how that could possibly improve things.