Rachel’s Words
Why are people afraid of Rachel Corrie’s words?
Rachel Corrie was 23 years old when she was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer on March 16, 2003. She was working with others trying to protect the home of a Palestinian pharmacist from demolition in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. “My Name is Rachel Corrie” is a powerful one-woman show based entirely on the writings that Rachel left behind, telling her story from the time she was a small child, leading up to the days before her death. The play, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner from Rachel’s diaries and emails, was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in London. Starring Megan Dodds, it played to sold out audiences and wide acclaim.
“My Name is Rachel Corrie” was scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop on March 22nd. It has been postponed indefinitely, sparking much debate. Director Alan Rickman said, “Rachel Corrie lived in nobody’s pocket but her own. Whether one is sympathetic with her or not, her voice is like a clarion in the fog and should be heard.” Rachel’s mother Cindy wonders, “Why are people so afraid of Rachel’s words?” We ask the same question and are determined to give people the opportunity to hear those words.
The “Rachel’s Words” initiative is made up of a broad spectrum of groups and individuals who believe that Rachel’s words and her message of human rights and justice should be heard.
We hope that Rachel’s Words will open the door for other equally important and silenced voices. We resist the pervasive climate of fear and challenge to free speech that is increasingly prevalent in our society. Rachel wrote about issues that concern us all. People must have the opportunity to hear her message and decide for themselves what they think. Nobody’s agenda should stand in the way of that.
Join in celebrating her life and her extraordinary words. Check out the events and actions from around the world.
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20 Comments on “Rachel’s Words”
Haitham,
My hands are trembling and sweaty as I type. Thank you. Isn’t she amazing? No need to reply, I will follow the links and honor her life in my own heart.
Dear Rachel,
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of his hand
Isaiah 40:31
Why is everyone afraid.
Sorry for my blunt answer.
She was beautiful. She was an individual thinker.
That in itself will make mainstream media either ignore her or put her on a pedestal.
Obviously mainstream media is ignoring her because it is not in Bush’s favour. Go figure.
Kimmy,
They are not just ignoring her, they are trying to silence her. She put her own Jewish body (probably not the best wording) in front of a bulldozer to save a Palestinian pharmacist’s home from being demolished They did not stop. They killed her. This was a crime. What is happening to Palestinians is a crime. The UN says this is a crime, all of Europe, except for Zionist interests say it was a crime. And now a crime is being committed by trying to keep a play about her from showing in New York. It is not Bush silencing or ignoring her, it is Zionists who wish their crimes to stay hidden. Perhaps, ironically, trying to silence her again will bring MORE light to the Palestinian cause, albeit not to the theater which axed this play. In that manner, she and those who wish to bring her story to light have been crucified by Zionist interests. Maybe this is not a pc thing to say, but is not Christ’s crucifiction what gave him glory? (it’s a Christian belief, you don’t need to agree at all) I pray that this incident will be covered in the media because curious people just might want to know WHY she is being silenced again and her message will come alive to the world. Peace to Rachel and all
It is a political thing. Bush loves Isreal. Bush loves himself!
If it was newsworthy in the US it would be played. But Bush has decreed that it is not.
Everything is now political. Nothing is important anymore if it involves personal lives. Big corp. is running the show, but most people don’t see it. She will remain a nobody as long as they don’t want us to see it.
Bush is just a figure that is in the limelight. He is just a go-between the big corp. and us. He will be compensated by them. Big time!
Keep the public uninformed and we will compensate you.
Just like big ceo’s getting 20 mil for doing nothing.
It is a huge picture and we are only seeing a very small part because we are not rich or in the loop.
Kimmy,
My dear man, you think such evil thoughts tehetehe.
Of course he is a figure head, a bobble head.
But who is behind much of big corp? You got it! Zionist interests or at least those that support them. Haitham puts stuff about the Zionist media on here all the time, check it out. When there is a need to squelch a story to cover their crimes, they WILL exercise their control. This particular case of Rachel is heartbreaking because she herself is Jewish, but not a Zionist.
Robin,
While it has been reported in a handful of places, Rachel was not Jewish. This doesn’t make her words and actions less powerful and inspiring nor her death less tragic and senseless, but for the record, she was not Jewish.
Dave,
Are you sure? Don’t mean to question you but could you show me evidence to the contrary? That’s what my impression was, please corrent me if I’m wrong. In the end you’re right, it does NOT diminish her power as a symbol of justice and love.
Thanks
Ror anyone reading this site:
If you want to know more about Rachel, please log on to the Wikipedia site about her. It has over 100 links to information both about her and the Palestinian issue. Those links will probably have more links. The information is out there for EVERYONE to avail themselves of. Do not just support Zionism without knowing what you are supporting. Do this for Rachel so that at least you know why she was willing to die. Do this out of curiosity if nothing else.
Robin
I don’t want to blame Zionists for everything because there are many Americans who are not Zionists who also run big corp.
If I blame every Zionist for our world woes I would be a predujist.
In this modern world, race and/or religion can be very controlling of people and industry.
Let me just say that I don’t trust anyone earning over $50,000.00 US a year. They are the people who look down on everyone else.
Kimmy,
I think not trusting anyone earning over $50,000 US a year is its own prejudice. If someone offered you that salary, you would turn it down? I think you should rather judge people by their actions, not on how much money they earn.
I think also the part about Rachel being Jewish is a rumour. It is irrelevant, as stated, whether she was or not, as she was unjustly killed. I took the liberty of reading the wikipedia entry on her, and found that someone had written a piece naming six other women named Rachel, all of them Jewish, all of whom suffered tragic deaths (The Forgotton Rachels - Tom Gross). It is very unfortuneate that anyone, regardless of their namesake, would be murdered, by bombs or bulldozers. What Gross’ article does, however, is promote the notion that six Rachels trump the one. It is a rather sad misappropriation of tragedy.
Perhaps when the occupation of Palestine has ended, we shall together mourn and celebrate all of the Rachels. Perhaps and perhaps.
correction: Gross’ article cites eight women named Rachel, not six, as previously stated.
Raymond,
Are you watching the news? Did you see the CNN live interview with the American professor in Janin who was kidnapped by Palestinian militants. It was live and I’ll be interested to see if it is shown again because it was TOTALLY sympathetic to the Palestinians even after he had just been kidnapped and released!
He made a point to say we hear in the States don’t get the news showing the TRUE facts of the occupation. Catch it if you can, and keep a thought in your heart for Rachel!
Sorry for my limit of $50,000.00 a year.
The average wage in NA is less than that. The UAW, CAW, IBEW, UA and other unions are controlled by big business (these unions are now big business) and they are making the average person poor.
That is my prejudice.
They make more money to make other people poor. No equality here!
ISM supports and aids terror organisations. Rachel Corrie was part of ISM. Rachel Corrie: Dead Terrorist.
Why do I have the feeling you don’t want to hear this?
But before you delete this post…read this….
http://home.comcast.net/~jat.action/ISM_essay.htm#Code
People aren’t afraid of her words, it’s just a bad play. I saw it, and thought the acting was, dare I say, a bit flat.
PS visit alt.rachel.corrie.squish.squish.squish
God have mercy on her soul. Simply, she was a great person.
Watch out for bulldozers!!!