between killers and weapons
I learned about Benazir Bhutto's assassination soon after I awoke yesterday morning, before I rushed off to a ferry (I'm in Seattle). I was meeting some former professors of mine for brunch; I had not known, or perhaps had forgotten, that one of them had once been a tutor of Benazir's, decades ago and a continent away. A sort of grim reminiscence hovered over the meal.
I was never an admirer of hers, having encountered early the distaste that my Pakistani friends had for her record (this LRB piece by Tariq Ali counts the ways), and having read--before I began to learn about Pakistani politics through more conventional channels--Salman Rushdie's mocking portrait of a Benazir-allegory in "Shame." Recent events had done little to change those impressions, but I am shocked and saddened at her death, and afraid at what its aftermath will bring.
In these last few months, doing advocacy work on the situation in Pakistan, I have encountered so many remarkable and dedicated people fighting to bring justice and peace to their country, despite the overwhelming forces they face--both from within and without its borders. They deserve so much better than this. I am praying for calm, and hoping that loved ones' loved ones remain safe.
To watch and read:
Tariq Ali and Manan Ahmed on Democracy Now! (thanks Anil)
C.M. Naim's analysis posted at Chapati Mystery
Ali again, in the Guardian
Adil Najam's coverage at Pakistaniat
Assorted posts at 3QD
I was never an admirer of hers, having encountered early the distaste that my Pakistani friends had for her record (this LRB piece by Tariq Ali counts the ways), and having read--before I began to learn about Pakistani politics through more conventional channels--Salman Rushdie's mocking portrait of a Benazir-allegory in "Shame." Recent events had done little to change those impressions, but I am shocked and saddened at her death, and afraid at what its aftermath will bring.
In these last few months, doing advocacy work on the situation in Pakistan, I have encountered so many remarkable and dedicated people fighting to bring justice and peace to their country, despite the overwhelming forces they face--both from within and without its borders. They deserve so much better than this. I am praying for calm, and hoping that loved ones' loved ones remain safe.
To watch and read:
Tariq Ali and Manan Ahmed on Democracy Now! (thanks Anil)
C.M. Naim's analysis posted at Chapati Mystery
Ali again, in the Guardian
Adil Najam's coverage at Pakistaniat
Assorted posts at 3QD
posted by kitabet at 10:28 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks for this post and the links, Elizabeth. It takes courage not to jump on the same bandwagon as everyone else; I'm sad and sorry about her death too but was not anxious to see her in office either. And like you, I also worry a great deal about Pakistan's future and stability.
Thanks, Beth. That said, I don't really see my post as particularly courageous--I am only echoing the words of many friends, colleagues, commentators, both here and in Pakistan, who have been my best teachers on these matters. I've simply chosen a more honest and well-informed bandwagon, I think ;)
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