Bhutto

I was saddened today by the death of a famous person. I felt this same way when Fred Rogers died but Mr. Rogers was a part of my everyday life from a very small age - and he taught me some important lessons about sharing, believing in myself, and tolerating siblings. Lessons I needed when I was very young. But this is not a feeling I have had often. I am not enamored with fame. I have never sought it myself and don't really understand the motivation of people that do. Thus, usually when someone famous dies I feel the equivalent of when someone mentions that their family member, whom I've never met, has passed away. Empathetic for the pain of the surviving family members and hopeful that the person in question enjoyed their life. All very detached, I'll admit, but perfectly appropriate, in my opinion.

Today was different - today I felt a personal loss for I viewed Benazir Bhutto as a shining example of all that one could be. What one life could mean, not only to the individual but to their family, community, and the world. And most inspiring, she represented what one woman could be in the face of male oppression - that women can have just as much intelligence, drive, strength, and influence as a man. I know she had flaws, as we all do, but I was inspired by her returning to Pakistan, and potential peril, to try and help her countrymen and maybe make up for past mistakes. The world will be a different place without her and most likely worse because of her assassination.

Why should you care what happens in Pakistan? Watch this YouTube video - it's from Canada but the same applies to the U.S. (if not more so since Bhutto was killed for "being an agent of the U.S.")