Posted on 09/11/2004 4:52:30 PM PDT by SittinYonder
It's late on a Tuesday afternoon in downtown Athens, the heat of summer temporarily lifted by a blustery wind as overhead, clouds gather and a crack of thunder splits the air. In front of the Arch on the University of Georgia's North Campus, a steady roar of cars and buses mixes with the chatter of students bustling by. Meanwhile, on city streets in other parts of the world, the thunderous explosion of bombs rips through the lives of people going about their daily lives, followed by the chaos of screams and wails, horror and pain.
Amid all this noise, it is difficult even to imagine silence.
But here in Athens, in front of the arch each Tuesday evening, a small group of women gathers for just that. Silence.
And in this silence, they hope to find peace.
The women are part of the Athens contingent of Women in Black, as they're known throughout the world. Founded in Israel in 1988 by women protesting Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, this international peace group stands in silent vigil each week in cities across the United States, England, Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan and FR Yugoslavia. As the Web site www.womeninblack.net carefully states, Women in Black isn't an organization - the women who meet simply stand together in silence, free from discussion of issues and politics. While their opinions on specifics may differ, they come together under the common vision of peace.
"I just believe violence creates more violence," said Beth Kelly Zorbanos, who's been standing with Women in Black in Athens since the group started gathering about three years ago. "It's like Martin Luther King Jr. said - 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.' ... So I stand here publicly for that peace and that light and that love, and to acknowledge that those are the most powerful forces in the world."
Shortly after these statements, while the group stands together, thick drops of rain begin to fall from the sky, growing progressively intense as the storm blows through. The women are steadfast in this mission, though, and only seek retreat on the steps of a nearby building as the heaviest downpour begins. The number of women gathering each Tuesday varies. But each week sees at least a handful, enough for two in the group to share the job of holding a banner bearing the group's name; another to pass out fliers; others simply stand. All wear black.
"Our silence is visible," the fliers read. "... We wear black as a symbol of sorrow for all victims of war, for the destruction of people, nature and the fabric of life."
That sorrow quickly surfaces for Sandra Haddad. Her eyes well up with tears when she talks about some of the things that go through her mind as she stands for that hour of silence with Women in Black.
"I think about the people who've been killed - on both sides," she said, referring to the war in Iraq. "And all the people directly affected, the soldiers, the children..." she trailed off, the weight of her thoughts too heavy for words just now.
"We haven't seen anything like that here in the U.S. I can't even imagine what it must be like," added Trishanne Langford.
In Athens, Women in Black began gathering shortly after 9/11 under the guidance of Athens resident Ruth Koch, who lost her daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters on American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon that day.
Owing to recent health problems, Koch hasn't been able to stand with Women in Black in a long time. But she said her reason for initiating Women in Black in Athens was the sense of connection it provides.
"It's the coming together of people who share similar feelings ... and it's a non-violent way to do something about it," she said by phone from her home. "It's very dramatic (to see women dressed in black), and it gets peoples' attention. ... We were very well treated," she said, recalling the thumbs up and honks from passersby.
On this day, before the rain begins, the curious stop for a moment to read the Women in Black banner while others slow down to read the fliers.
"We want to make people aware on a continuing basis that there are people suffering in the world, and so much of that could be stopped," said Bishop-Martin. She has made contact with Gila Sversky, the Israeli woman who started Women in Black and corresponds with her regularly, she said. "I think it's amazing that it's spread around the world. I feel a real connectedness to all of these women in the world who share this," she added.
It is unknown what passersby take from the Women in Black, but a moment to think about peace is a moment well spent, according to these women.
"I just hope we would be an inspiration for people to stand up for the truth," said Zorbanos. "It's a positive affirmation - maybe if they're just driving by and see us, they're affected in some way."
"We're not here to argue, we're not trying to convince anyone through discussion, but just purely to stand here and set an example," added Bishop-Martin. "Mother Theresa - I don't think she ever argued about things with people, she just went out and lived what she believed. That's a good enough example for me."
As the storm subsides, the women venture back to the Arch, though fat raindrops still fall from the sky.
They'll return the next week, when the sun is shining, and in the weeks to follow, the traffic, the chatter, the bombs dropping in distant cities only strengthening their mission.
"We are ever hopeful," Zorbanos said.
To Join:
Women in Black stand in silent vigil at 5 p.m. each Tuesday in front of the Arch on University of Georgia's North Campus. Anyone is welcome to join.
For more information, visit www.womeninblack.net.
thought some georgia freepers would like to see what's going on at the University of Georgia.
Maybe we ought to Freep this.
"And in this silence, they hope to find peace. "
Peace is Death.
Go Tech! (and right now, go SC Gamecocks!)
I'd almost have to agree with you, but the Dawgs just scored!
meh, 16-13. of course, this is status quo for the Dawgs. Slack open, hard end game. tough to say though, Gamecocks got some moves left.
Tech just ran for 25 yards after a nice pass. They're on the 40 3 mins into game.
Still 10 minutes and Dawgs are inside the Red zone. Since when did the Gamecocks start wearing all black?
Nice touchdown! UGA 19; SC 16
Pacifists suck.
I grew up in Athens (no longer live there). As teenagers, we used to ride through downtown yelling at the hippies and fools and occassionally testing their pacifism. During the Gulf War a group of protesters spent the entire war in tents on the UGA lawn. One night I was swept up in a crowd of drunk fraternity boys who decided to go beat the hell out of the protesters. I didn't participate (wasn't drunk enough) but did watch as two or three protesters got knocked about and several tents were torn up before UGA and Athens cops intervened (and arrested mostly drunk fraternity boys).
What's wrong with Athens is these folks were very well treated
I remember a line from one of the old Mack Bolan books "the meek shall inherit the earth, only after it's been passified by the Warriors"
nice carolina drive down to the 13, better carolina fumble and excellent georgia recovery. those all black uniforms are very strange to watch.
its like you're sitting in my appartment talking to my roomies and me. we JUST had that convo.
this season. call back to Black Magic.
2:59 to go.
20 to 16 Georgia!
Ga interceps.
Dogs ball, Carolina 45.
2nd and 11.
seconds left.
Georgia 20 Carolina 16 !
Lord I love to hear larry Munson call a game!
I'm ROTFLMAO because while I was putting the kid to bed and reading a book to him all I could think was - I'm missing the end of the game. I get out here and you've given me a play by play. Thanks so much - good outcome, too.
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