Will You Swear Allegiance to Fear?

Terrorism. We all know what it means. It refers to violent, often religiously motivated acts against civilians. Terrorists. We all know who they are. Mentally unhinged, often religiously motivated people who blow themselves up in crowds of civilians, killing and maiming innocents. Terrorist organizations. We know what they are. Non-state militarized collectives of insurgent fighters, some of whom plan and execute assassinations, suicide bombings and shootings like 9/11, Fort Hood, San Bernadino, Brussels, Charlie Hebdo.

And now, Nice, France.

Citizens of the United States and of nations around the world are, of course, terrorized by the actions of terrorists. Terrorists are not bound by international conventions. The sudden acts of terrorists make us feel “unsafe” and “unprotected” from violence that seems to erupt randomly in places where any of us might be “going about our business”. We get afraid. That’s the goal of terrorism. Many of us cry out for protection from this frightening and imminent possibility. The powerful among us promise to keep us safe, either by violently retaliating with overwhelming force, or by more nuanced diplomatic strategies. Few among us trust any of these political promises; we remain afraid. We become paralyzed, or our fear becomes rage, and we get our guns and prepare to shoot anything that (we think) looks or moves like a terrorist.

The Geneva Conventions are international agreements ratified by 196 nations. They represent an attempt by the so-called “civilized world” to place some limitations on their conduct of war among themselves. These signatories agree to treat POWs and sick and wounded soldiers honorably. They are also expected to provide certain attention to “protected persons”. They are supposed to extend humanitarian aid to victims of wars, and observe certain protocols and exercise restraint during military occupation of another nation. They agree to treat civilians – citizens who are not officially participating in combat as armed members of a nation’s military services – as “protected persons”.

Empire. We have all learned about the Empire from “Star Wars”. It refers to one nation’s economic and military control of other nations (think galaxies and solar systems). In Earth history, Babylonia, Egypt, Assyria, Ottoman, Persian, Roman … these are the empires taught in classes.

Emperors. One had new clothes, but we probably don’t think there are any real ones left in the world – Ceasar, Napoleon, Alexander, The Ramesses, Tito, Hirohito, the Georges of the British Empire, the Khans of Asia – but these are names belonging to a galaxy far, far away in a time long, long ago.

Imperialism. We all have heard this word. It is related to “empire”, even though it begins with “I” instead of “E”.

Imperial Margarine had a crown on the box – “Crowned with Quality”. Chrysler’s top of the line model was the “Imperial”.

The US state of New York is “the Empire State”, and the “Empire State Building” is on Manhattan Island.

“Imperialism” is the collective strategies and tactics employed by one nation to extend its influence and control over other nations and tribal groups, extracting its human (slavery) and natural resources, and furthering the goals of imperial domination. Empires take many forms in history, and each has unique characteristics. Sometimes beneficent tyrants exert their military power to restrain inter-tribal mayhem. Sometimes powerful, democratically elected presidents, beholden to capital, try to balance wisdom and expediency. Most times there’s some kind of hybrid situation.

Today … well … I think we could have a more substantial conversation about today.

In my view, there is, today, a global uprising against the Empire. It is an uprising of the Earth and the life Earth has birthed. And, of course, it is being organized by the human – and other – creatures who are awakening to the devastating consequences of the Empire’s exploitive, multi-generational campaign of terror. Island nations are drowning. People and other creatures are desperately seeking refuge from too much bloody chaos. Desperately impoverished men, women and children are lashing out in desperate violence simply to be seen, let alone heard. This uprising won’t be crushed. Not any longer. It has been rising for generations. For millennia. And there is no way to be neutral, or impartial; to be a spectator or a bystander. We are each compelled to take the side of the power we swear allegiance to. The Empire, or the Rebellion. Which will it be for you?