What is the cost of freedom? We tend to ask this question thinking of oppressed peoples and what it costs them to become free. Or soldiers in the US are often taught to compartamentalize protest by saying that they have fought wars so that war protesters have the right to protest. But I’m wondering, what it costs white Americans like myself to be free. What does it cost us to turn a blind eye. What it costs us to spend so much money all the time on things that don’t matter.
I wonder what the cost of freedom is when I think about watching white children grow up in privilege without knowing what suffering is on a systemic level. Sure we can suffer from ailments, assaults, and indignities like anyone else. But what would it be like to have white children aware of what is wrong with the world without worrying that it will lead them to suicide?
And so the cost of freedom is also an empty life. This has to be one of the reasons that suicide rates are so high amongst older white men.
Against Assisted Suicide
I recently published an article in a journal called Firebrand against medically assisted suicide. It is an article in favor of suicide prevention and it came out two weeks ago. I wasn’t going to share it because it is a difficult topic, so if you’re having a hard day don’t read it. But it could be nice to read if you’re doing well and want to bolster your sense that you matter. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, don’t read this today.
https://firebrandmag.com/articles/schizoaffective-why-killing-people-like-me-is-a-bad-idea
