This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
In her own words:Listen to Chelsea's story in Amnesty podcast-Free Chelsea Manning Now!
Chelsea
tells her story in podcast, New Guardian op-ed
In her own words: Listen to Chelsea's story in Amnesty
podcast
Whistleblower Chelsea Manning
was the subject of Amnesty International’s podcast, In
Their Own Words, a brand new series featuring the stories of
human rights activists around the world.
One of the most trying aspects of Chelsea’s imprisonment has been the
inability for the public to hear or see her. "I feel like I've been stored away all this time without a voice,"
Chelsea has said.
In this episode, Amnesty finally gives Chelsea a voice, employing
actress Michelle Hendley to speak Chelsea’s words. Through Michelle, we
hear Chelsea tell us who she is as a person, what she’s been through, and what
she’s going through now. “I have to say, I cried a few times listening to this,” said
Chelsea, after a Support Network volunteer played the podcast for her
over the telephone. “Hearing her speak, and tell the story. She sounds
like me. It sounds like the way I would tell my story.” Since its release on Feb 5, the podcast has already been listened to
over 10,000 times, passing up Amnesty’s first episode voiced by actor
Christian Bale by over 4,000 listens. It received attention from Vice’s Broadley, BoingBoing, Pink News, Fight for the Future, the ACLU, the Advocate and numerous other online blogs and tweets.
In her latest Guardian OpEd, Chelsea Manning shares about a rare
and meaningful friendship she had while in the isolating environment of
prison. "At the loneliest time of my life," explains Chelsea, "her friendship
meant everything."
Chelsea Manning, Guardian OpEd Feb 8,
2016 Prisons function by isolating those of us who
are incarcerated from any means of support other than those charged with keeping
us imprisoned: first, they physically isolate us from the
outside world and those in it who love us; then they work to divide
prisoners from one another by inculcating our distrust in one
another. The insecurity that comes from being behind bars with, at best, imperfect
oversight makes us all feel responsible only for ourselves. We end up either
docile, apathetic and unwilling to engage with each other, or hostile, angry,
violent and resentful. When we don’t play by the written or unwritten
rules – or, sometimes, because we do – we become
targets...
On her blog, Chelsea speaks out about Hell is Small
Place, a book featuring personal accounts from prisoners who have faced
solitary confinement that resonated very deeply with her.
"I was held in extreme solitary confinement for just under 11 months," says
Chelsea, "This book captures many of the thoughts and feelings that I am
afraid to talk about"
"If you really want to know what being held in a sterile box for months
or years on end is like, then I recommend that you read this book."
Chelsea can continue to be a powerful voice for reform,
but we need your help to make that happen. Help us support
Chelsea in prison, maximize her voice in the media, continue public education,
fund her legal appeals team, and build a powerful movement for presidential
pardon.
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