Thoughts on Wickramatunga

Last night on the CBC, I heard the story of Lasantha Wickramatunga, an editor of the Sri Lankan newspaper Sunday Leader, who was recently gunned down by two men on motorcycles. Wickramatunga knew that he was going to be killed; he just didn't know when. So he wrote a "letter from the grave" that was to be published after his death.

In his letter, Wickramatunga outlines the Sri Lankan government's attempt to silence voices critical of their actions and policies. He describes the atmosphere of terror and violence that has taken over Sri Lanka during their civil war. With resignation that is both awful and inspiring, he acknowledges that the government will arrange for his death, and they will call it a tragedy, and they will launch an investigation that goes nowhere.

As the CBC read parts of Wickramatunga's letter from the grave, I was horrified and saddened by his accounts. He talked of terror that I find it hard even to imagine, let alone endure. But at the end of the letter, the editor shifted the tone of his address:

"That The Sunday Leader will continue fighting the good fight, too, is written. For I did not fight this fight alone. Many more of us have to be - and will be - killed before The Leader is laid to rest. I hope my assassination will be seen not as a defeat of freedom but an inspiration for those who survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will help galvanize forces that will usher in a new era of human liberty in our beloved motherland. I also hope it will open the eyes of your President to the fact that however many are slaughtered in the name of patriotism, the human spirit will endure and flourish."

Right now, I am reading the stunning account of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who was raised in a strict Muslim family and has become an outspoken "champion of free speech" in her book Infidel. The story is painful, terrifying, sad. But after I heard about Wickramatunga on the CBC and went home to read his letter online, I realized that Ayaan's story is also inspiring, miraculous, and hopeful.

I feel blessed to hear about these stories of tremendous people who fight for poetry and justice and freedom, even when their lives are threatened, their bodies are assaulted, their spirits are tested. It makes me grateful beyond words to live where I live, and inspires me to be active about issues big and small that make my world a better place.

I need to thank all of you who display such purpose, strength and conviction. I need to thank all of my friends, the people in my community who do the same. They may not be risking their lives, but they take action each day to make sure our communities are healthy, vibrant, soulful, just, diverse, inclusive, and prosperous--and what abundance they reap, they share and give.

I believe that mirrors are powerful things. A sure step towards greatness is surrounding oneself with people who display that quality. So I'm grateful this week for these stories surrounding me--about heroism. I'll use that as a reminder, not of the evil that still exists in the world and the violence and terror that many endure on a daily basis. Instead, I'll accept Wickramatunga's invitation to be inspired by his death, to be hopeful, to be active and empowered to change the world.