Imprisoning activists

Even though I firmly believe that words lead to thoughts, thoughts into actions, I have yet to meet a person who should be imprisoned for speaking. Having said that, I have met many that I would have followed by ‘special forces of intellectuals’, after all, hate speech is a way to identify the good from the bad. Engaging in a conversation with the ‘bad’ is far more important than with the good, or the people that you do agree with. When you put the ‘bad’ in prison, very often the prison is like a platform. That’s not what I would do. ‘Haters’ should not be given a platform, they should be given their own medicine; talk! However, this talking isn’t quite so simple, or it is too simple for real intellectuals to handle. Intellectuals often go into rational arguments, hoping that one story shows the point, whereas ‘haters’ are often much more simple, they know the masses are better at understanding the tone of voice and short, simple sentences. This lack of intellectualism is something they use to their advantage, because they know they just need to appear smart. Real smart should be able to beat this very easily, however it does take some practice. It is kind of like a mathematician is less likely to make a mistake on a complex calculation and more likely to make a mistake on a simple calculation. I.e. pay attention to the little, simple points and reply equally simply.

Brexit – ‘austerity measures will be imposed on the UK’ – reply should be in short, simple sentences, delivered confidently, and in this order: 1. Something about the statement (correct, correct to some extent, incorrect, lie, fabricated), 2. The most powerful reason (simple, short, honest), 3. Statement that there are many other reasons, if that is true, 4. What should be known about the ‘austerity’, again short, simple sentences.  What we did get were long speeches that left me wondering ‘am I sure I know what austerity means’. As a result, masses believe the statement. Now this is not exactly a statement of ‘haters’, but it fits the profile.

Let’s take for example: ‘Until Muslims came to my country (UK) we didn’t have such problems like FGM, forced marriages…’ Possible response might be: ‘That is a very hateful statement. Has domestic violence, abuse of human rights and abuse of women started only when Muslims came? I’m sure people know that these problems existed and exist in every country. Problems like this are not connected to religion or culture, they are on individual basis. As such, in the name of justice, we must persecute individuals. Punishing a whole group makes us unjust.’ Others will probably come up with an even more simple, yet powerful and educational response, but I’m only trying to show that it can be done, that the method used by ‘haters’ to get the attention of the masses, can be used by ‘intellectuals’ to also get the attention of the masses, and at least teach the ‘right way’ rather than inspire hate.

Let’s take the example of Turkey. I am honestly very confused by what is going on there. Military coup, in my opinion, is something very, very bad; I mean ‘hate’ multiplied by a million. I can also understand imprisoning all those who took direct part. However, those who inspired such a move, those who now praise the individuals that carried out the crime, in my opinion (and I might be wrong) should be free to speak, free to act just as they wish, but should be followed and argued with every step of the way. I have no doubt that this can be done. One of the most insane arguments that I have heard from Turkey is that the president himself organised the coup. I’m sorry, but that is so stupid on so many levels, a smart person would claim it only after a judge went through all the evidence and told them they have a case. Even then, I honestly think I would question the judge and ask for a second opinion before making such a claim public. However, they have made this claim and some people actually think this is a claim that deserves attention. Why? Well, I happen to believe it is because Turkish authorities do not consider it a claim worth their time (I believe this because I’ve spoken to a number of Turks and their reply was just laughter, brush-off, and such). I think this is wrong. Also, the mass imprisonment means that chances are that many innocent people will face charges they do not deserve to face. The guilty will be hiding behind those who are innocent. The simple fact is, the coup did happen, for a coup to happen it takes a lot of people, but justice cannot be achieved by mass persecutions. Much more wisdom is needed. I happen to think that Turkish authorities might be making some things worse just because they are not communicating with the masses in a way that those who organised the coup are.

I have reason to believe that people, generally speaking, really want justice, peace and truth. Some years ago I took part in smallest campaign ever. I call it: ‘just wait’. It was to do with mass media all over the world publishing articles about mass graves discovered in Bosnia and claiming that it was a mass graves of ‘Serbs killed during the war’. The ‘Just wait’ campaign was about asking the mass medina all over the world to wait for DNA analysis before they publish ‘who’ was discovered in the mass grave. The reason was that very often they publish this information too soon, then we get the results and it turns out they were all wrong, but the information had already gone out there. I think there were about 10 of us claiming that the mass media should wait, and about 10,000 claiming that everyone should just publish it was ‘Serbs’; or at least that’s how it felt. The fact is, it could be Serbs, but the chances that it is not Serbs is much greater, and we really feel, for the sake of justice, peace and equality, we should just wait for the DNA results. I was sure this message reached no one. However, recently another mass grave was discovered in Bosnia, and to my great astonishment, the mass media around the world did not claim that it was Serbs found in the mass grave. We seem to be waiting for the DNA results. Now, I don’t know if this has anything to do with our little, almost non-existent campaign, but we are pleased to see the change and we have at least a tiny reason to believe that perhaps we had something little to do with this, and it helps set the record straight. Now, if we assume that the ‘just wait’ campaign had something to do with the change, then it shows that when you have a simple, straightforward point, even a small number of people can get the message across and stop disinformation.

I know, for a fact, that there are many very smart, good people out there. I think the only thing they lack is knowing how to speak to the masses, yet we really need them to understand and learn this.

A bit of creativity 1

The most important relationship of all

Knowing me, knowing you

"Don't talk to yourself" they said. I wouldn't if the voices in my head would go silent. And I mean voices, plural. I have a Bosnian and a British girl living inside of me. I think Bosnian is the dominant one, but that's not to say that the British girl is oppressed. In fact, it seems that when someone does something stupid that makes me very angry, if the British girl gets a word in in the first 10 seconds, chances are she will calm the tempest that is the Bosnian girl and I might just deal with the situation calmly. However, if the British girl falls asleep and doesn't react in the first 10 seconds, chances are the Bosnian girl will act the only way she knows how - objects flying across the room, no sense of fear or even consequences. Then there are times when the British girl says to the Bosnian girl inside of me "You know what, you take this one." That's when I'm at my most dangerous. The Bosnian girl is like grateful for the trust that the British girl has show her, so she keeps the cool, but there is no sense of fear or consequences, and due to clarity of mind, she can argue her way to Judgement Day. 

Then, of course, there is the little girl. She comes to life at a sight of anything that takes me back to my childhood - "Oh my goodness, look! A seesaw!" And there is me, trying to fight off the excitement, hoping, praying it isn't visible. How would I explain it to anyone? She also has a habit of judging me after I've done something "Check you out telling that big dude off. He could have punched your lights out." I can hear her. She is loud. But can I talk back? Oh no! That would be talking to myself. Yet I really want to tell her "What do you mean 'he could have punched YOUR lights out'? You are me. He punches me, he punches you." Oh, well, now that I have said this to her, she's laughing and saying "Yeah, but it don't hurt me." She's right. It wouldn't hurt her, it would hurt me. So unfair. So many voices I carry inside, listening to them all day long, yet they don't feel the pain I feel. Clearly, though they are part of me, they are not me. They are not the whole of me. What is whole of me? Who 'is' me? 

Me is not a voice. Me is a feeling making it's way through all the other voices. Me is the source and life of the other voices. They get shaped by what I am feeling, and what I feel is a product of my experiences. I was hurt, so I grew... I was humbled, so I developed... I was rejected, so I created...

My voices are the part of me that lets me know that I have done better than survived, I have evolved. Sometimes they make no sense. Sometimes they are annoying. But they are always loyal. They are always honest. How could I not love me, when I have created voices of loyalty and honesty, to fight the battles of this life that we all face? While I battle with me, battles of life do not seem so bad. And isn’t that what life is all about? To be loyal and honest with yourself, to have courage when needed, to be patient otherwise, and to enjoy life, lough at yourself, make fun as if you were still a child.

Grenfell Tower protest 19.07.2017.

Protests for Grenfell tower 19th July 2017, 18:00h to 20:00h

Kensington and Chelsey Town Hall, London

Examining the Citizen Action

I got there about 10 minutes before 6PM. A crowd of a couple of hundred people had already gathered. Before I even joined the protest I was approached by two different groups: Socialist Party and Socialist Worker. I bought a newspaper from both groups, costing £1 each. I will write a separate blog on the comparison between the two, plus another newspaper that I also purchased at the protest, also £1, this one by Revolutionary Communist. In this blog, I want to talk about just the protest. 

The official programme started as promised at 6PM. We were told that the council will meet to talk about Grenfell Tower at 6:30PM. 

Various Trade Union leaders gave a speech and the crowd showed particular support to: ‘No Justice, No Peace’ and ‘Social Murder’. Other popular ideas included the rights and standard of living of the working class and government cuts.

Before too long, the programme was interrupted by voices from another group, gathered only meters away, same message, but different style – I’d say that the second group was a little bit more aggressive in their tone. The groups were clearly divided. On my observation, I’d say the second group was less organised; however, initially it seemed to have more supporters. The second group, as I will learn from the people, wanted an open mic and they had rappers, who wore masks.

The second group seemed to dissolve, while the first group continued with their programme. It seemed to be related to ‘survivors’ going into the Town Hall for the meeting. While I stood observing this movement, I was approached by woman representing Movement for Justice. No newspaper, but a little, free leaflet with basic information – will do a blog on the leaflets as well. It took some time for the whole second group to move and join the first group, but they eventually did, even the rappers performed at the first group’s mic. I couldn’t say with any certainty, but this move might have had something to do with media presence. From the very beginning, cameras were just everywhere. However, I doubt that anyone in that crowd did not spot the presence of Jon Snow from Channel 4 News. I didn’t see that Mr Snow paid much attention to the second group, I’d say he was quite clear on who he wanted to speak to and it was the first group. From what I had observed, I’d say the first group were the official organisers, while the second group kind of high jacked the meeting – I might be wrong, but this is how it seemed to me, and I was very pleased when the groups merged. 

The meeting in the Town Hall started and a big screen for live transmission was already in place in the square. Initially, the voices of the people at the protest and those at the Town Hall were merged and interfering with one another, and the group had once again been split – one part went to listen to the transmission of the Town Hall meeting, while the other remained listening to the ‘protestor’s mic’, which had gained a characteristics of ‘venting’, something I believe is vital when it comes to issues like the Grenfell Tower. 

The messages from the meeting in Town Hall were clear: Change is a must. Crowds unreservedly cheered the speaker in the Town Hall meeting. Messages he brought forward included: Divide between the rich and the poor must be worked on; does this council know what it is doing; new leader, old regime cannot bring changes; are the survivors being heard; we must change the way this borough operates; and, for me the most surprising message: Population of the borough is falling, we are exporting the poor to other boroughs, this ‘social cleansing’ must stop. 

Contrary to the wish of the people, Elizabeth was re-elected as the ‘leader of the council’. People were not pleased. However, if she keeps 50% of what she promised in her speech, I think people might get over it. First, I’d like to say that from my point of view, looking at her speech, she knew, without a doubt, that she’ll be re-elected – the speech was exceptionally prepared, but even more than that, she was prepared. 

She made it very clear that she was speaking to the people. In her speech, she asked for a chance. I remember watching her, trying to figure out if I admire her or detest her – her ‘lust for challenge’ is something great and we don’t get to see it very often, on the other hand her determination to remain in power was quite pathetic. She promised that there will be no if’s or but’s; survivors will get practical and personal support; demands of the people will be heard (I thought this was quite ironic coming from a woman that people clearly rejected, but let’s see); she will not hold back spending the reserves of the borough (which are, it seems, not all that great, since she will need the support of great many people and it will take at least five years); nothing will be built on the site of the Tower without the consent of the survivors; the culture of the borough will change “…so that you are also residents” – what kind of culture is currently present in the borough when there is a need for a change so that residents become residents? Over all, I’d say the main point she tried to bring across was that the borough will be less pompous and more inclusive – suddenly, five years is nowhere near enough time to bring this kind of change, but I wish her all the best and would certainly love to help in any way I can. She recognised the work of the community groups that ‘went above and beyond’, she spoke about working with the people, nurturing links, and she said ‘if you have humanity, you deserve respect’ – for me, this meant that many of the rich in the borough will lose respect now, but I doubt she meant that. 

In short, or in summary: 

1. Organisers need to do more on working together. I know this is a great challenge, but trust me, many are accomplishing it in much harder circumstances, so I believe you can accomplish it also. 

2. Organisers need to prioritise the needs of the ‘problem’ – I’ve seen big gatherings fall apart because the messages were mixed. ‘Grenfell Tower Disaster’ is the main message. Everything connected to that is priority. Since every gathering is different, there isn’t much that I can say in terms of advice for the future, you have to think about it yourself. But, yesterday, I think it would have been much better if both groups worked together, if there was an open mic (moderated: a volunteer or two collecting names of those who wish to speak, limiting time each person gets, and cutting off those who go off topic or speak for too long), if the programme was organised so that it took into account the meeting taking place at the Town Hall, and if there were not quite so many movements officially advertising themselves – I know unofficially cannot be prevented, but there is a big difference between official and unofficial advertisement at a protest. 

3. Politicians and various representatives of the people need to accept that social issues are not a means for a war between parties. Social issues need solutions not a war of wits between leaders of different persuasions. Lie I told one of the protestors: Elizabeth has been re-elected, that’s something we have to accept. If anyone told you it would be easy, they lied. Get over it! That is a fact for now. People can sense sincerity. Your devotion should be to the solution not to your party or some other belief. If, despite you honest and unadulterated sincerity you find that a solution can not be reached with the current set up, then you will find much greater support for changing the ‘set up’. In fact, I’ve found that common denominator in social movements across Britain is ‘sincerity’. People are longing for it. I.e. when it comes to this idea of common denominator, I will write more about it. It is just an idea at this time, but research so far shows that it might help greatly. 

4. The media and their role cannot be ignored. Yes, we have social media. Yes, we can spread our messages now better than ever. Yes, very often we find that information we get through unofficial media outlets is clearer and truer than the official media, but the presence of Jon Snow left an impact. The number of gatherings I have attended where one such person can just bring a new light into the meeting without saying a word makes me believe that the media must do more to recognise their role. 

5. Working with people! People working with people! Politicians understanding that they are people. People understanding that politicians are people… That’s what democracy is all about. We’ve become too busy, too annoyed, too this, too that to work with people. In some countries, Voluntary Sector is known as the Civil Society Sector (not that I support one name more than the other, but all the names combined help us further our understanding of the sector) which means that it is about the people. I do know what the sector is a ‘loose and baggy monster’, but I also know that we, the people, created it and therefore we must be able to understand it – it is OUR creation! It didn’t fall from the sky. I appreciate that many are looking for solutions in changing the system, I think we already have a good system, we just need to figure out a way to make all the elements work better. 

In the end, I wish the survivors all the best. I do know something about losing everything, even after escaping a war, struggling to build a new life, making a step forward, and then being take right back to zero. It is horrific. But, you will rebuild your life, rest assured that you will. The pain and fear you are facing now, will pass; I’m not saying you will forget it, you won’t, but going through that will make you stronger, you will find that you don’t scare quite so easily, and that will help you take bigger steps in life, some that you will cherish and some that you will regret. Isn’t that what life is all about? Your job now is to stay calm through this storm. Keep a clear head, or as clear as you can manage. 

And thanks to the police officers at the protest. Again a group that just cannot be ignored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeOKCzZix3E&feature=youtu.be&ac=

Remembering Srebrenica 11.07.2017. in London

11^th July 2017

London, Guildhall, event to mark the 22^nd anniversary since the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I’d like to thank Remembering Srebrenica organisation for their hard work and great humanity that they have shown. I consider myself very lucky to have ended up in the UK when we escaped the war in Bosnia and had nowhere to go, when we waited for fate to bring us to safety.

The event was very well organised in a beautiful venue. I will not mention all of the speakers, though I am extremely grateful to each and every one of them. It was an honour and a mark of respect for humanity that people such as Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth and Rt Hon. Nicola Stugeon attended this event in person.

Chair of Remembering Srebrenica, Dr Waqar Azmi reminded that we must celebrate diversity and always find new ways to value our differences. I agree with the sentiment wholeheartedly. It is only in diversity that we learn new ways of life, which lead us forward. I do understand that tolerance is sometimes a challenge, but I consider that a small price to pay for the rewards and joy that diversity brings.

...

Angelina Jolie sent a recorded message for the event. I believe I found her message the most heartfelt message I’ve heard in a long time. Those of you who know me, know that I have not always been complimentary of Angelina’s work, but that evening her message was flawless. It was just beautiful. Simple, from the heart, honest.

...

Bakira Hasecic, a survivor from Visegrad, president of Zene Zrtve Rata (Women Victims of War) spoke about supporting women survivors who were raped and tortured and who refuse to speak about their ordeal due to the way society will perceive them. She spoke about the importance of societies coming together to support such victims and not judge them, since rape is used as a weapon during a war. In the age when an American public figure openly says “They can’t prevent it, so they should just enjoy it” about rape, it is vital that every person stands up against rape. Enjoying it would be like suggesting that if we can’t avoid being hit on the head with a bat, we should just try to enjoy it. The idea is so pathetic and ridiculous that it is shocking anyone would say such a blasphemy publically. I am pleased that Rt Hon. Nicola Stugeon recognised that the work done by Bakira and her organisation is important for all women all over the world.

Munira Subasic, president of Majke Srebrenice (Mothers of Srebrenica) spoke about how justice has not been served, how the current Mayor of Srebrenica is refusing to accept that there was a genocide in Srebrenica. He even tried to organise an event praising Ratko Mladic as a national hero, same Ratko Mladic who is currently in the Hague War Crimes Tribunal charged with the genocide in Srebrenica among many other crimes against humanity. Munira spoke about her son and how she has so far found only two of his bones. The bones were discovered in two different mass graves which are 25km apart. She considers herself lucky to have found any bones at all, since there are many mothers who have died waiting for a confirmation that their child is dead. Munira said that Serbs in that part of Bosnia know where the mass graves are located but they refuse to share that knowledge even though it would bring much deserved peace to the survivors. We must look hard at why is that. Why would they refuse to share that information now?

From Bosnia, only Elmedin Konakovic came. Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina in London did not attend or even send a message to the gathering. I was horrifically embarrassed and ashamed. I wished I could scram that people of Bosnia are not like that; we do not expect that people of the UK should do all the work, while we just sit back and do nothing at all. I’d like to think that at least some of those who worked so hard know that we, people of Bosnia, are not like that. Bosnia is facing great problems and we are working so hard, but it’s just not enough. It is also for this reason that I wish to send deepest gratitude to friends in foreign lands who selflessly fight for justice. Speaking for the dead is not an easy task, yet one that must be done. And in Bosnia, we have so many dead, and then so many current issues, the living are struggling to just make ends meet, so our friends outside of Bosnia are vital to us, they are our lifeline. So THANK YOU!

In the end, I’d like to wish Remembering Srebrenica all the best in the future. I hope it goes without saying that anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact us.