Social Justice and Remembrance

September 11 is the anniversary of two horrendous events: The fascist coup in Chile (1973) and the murder of 3000 people in New York (2001).  Both are tragic events characterized by mass brutality and death. The coup in Chile killed thousands and overthrew Chile's first socialist government.  Salvador Allende remains a fascinating political figure who died fighting for the principles he endorsed.  He certainly had a vision of a just society that was different then the free-market discourse in North America.  You can read more about Allende here. It is important to remember the victims of Chile's coup, especially given the role that the American government played in that coup.  You can read about it here.

It is equally important to remember the victims of political violence that occurred in New York City in 2001. I remember reading Michael Moore's luminous daily journal as he travelled across the United States in the days following Sept.11. It remains a touching account of how ordinary Americans coped with the violence of those attacks.  It is worth reading.  Justice requires that we remember the victims of all senseless killings, while striving for a world where political violence becomes a thing of the past.