Remembering Benazir: You May Kill The Dreamer, But You Will Never Kill The Dream

Excerpted from Linda Sharp's blog: Don't Get Me Started, the internet's one-stop shop for everything from television recaps, to timely editorials, to satirical rants on the world around us.

This is a brief overview of Benazir Bhutto done by CNN.  For those who may not be familiar with her family history and her political roadmap, this might help fill in some blanks.

I think my favorite line from this piece is that Benazir Bhutto was a "flagbearer for democracy and modernity".  Sadly, these are two thought processes that do not sit well with the current power base. 

Democracy = people being able to kick them out of power

Modernity = a woman leader

In a part of the world where men still rule with ignorant iron fists, and where women are relagated to the back of the bus, as it were, Benazir threatened everything leaders like Musharraf hold dear.

And I, for one, will always admire her for that.

Despite trials, travails, imprisonment, ousters, corruption charges, family members being executed, and daily threats against her own life, Benazir's gaze towards the future did not waver, her determined stride never faltered, and her passionate heart did not skip a beat, until yesterday, when her blood was spilled for her people, for her country.

I watched a snippet of an interview Ann Curry did with Ms. Bhutto following the October attack in which 136 people were killed in an unsuccessful attempt on her life.  Ann asked her how she could come back, knowing she was putting herself, as well as so many people, in danger.

Her answer?

She came back to Pakistan fully knowing the risks because she believed in her country, in change for the future.  And that those who showed up at her rallies believed the same.  They were united in both knowing and taking the risks.  To them all, it was worth it.

One of my mother's favorite quotes has always been, "One must take risks to effect change."  I think I finally understand the true meaning of the statement.

To die in this way - believing in something so fervently, so passionately, so desperately is, to me, to have truly LIVED.

Today, as mourners gathered outside her family's mausoleum where she will be interred, they chanted, "As long as the moon and sun are alive, so is the name of Bhutto."

As I said yesterday - her body may be dead, but everything she stood for, dreamed, believed in, will live on in the passion, desire, and determination of her supporters.

~~~~~~~

Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.  ~Ray Bradbury

Benazir, may your ideals and spirit take flight and soar with your people into the future.