The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear List, I had meant the Sisyphus quote as a comfort to everyone, but after I posted it, I had my doubts. Words like that don't have the same effect on all people. So I am glad Judy found the Camus's words inspiring. His interpretation of Sisyphus is evidently based on actual experience: As a journalist, Camus worked for social justice and peace - and believed strongly in moral responsibility. So he must have known the seeming futility of this struggle and also the satisfaction of advancing just one small step - despite falling back again. In Algiers where Camus grew up, he worked as a journalist for an anticolonialist newspaper and wrote daily reports on the mistreatment of Arabs by the French colonial occupiers. He believed in rebellion for justice and tried to organize Arabs through communism. Then in France during WW II, he worked for the Combat resistance network. (He wrote the essay "Le Mythe de Sisyphe" in 1942.) In 1952 Camus withdrew from Unesco because Franco's Spain had been admitted. In 1953 he spoke up for the insurgents in East Berlin. And in 1956 he showed solidarity with the student rebellion in Budapest and asked all European writers to petition the UN. --- And a note to Felicity: Felicity, I realize with regret that the Sisyphus quote must have been cold comfort to you. And yet I meant to comfort you - tell you not to give up. Roger did all this much better. If I didn't find the right words, it was partly because it was a public message. And also I didn't want to sound presumptious. But on second thought, I'll have another go. I don't know you of course, except for this one message, but I know you through your writing. I read many of your articles long before I joined CASI and much of what I feel today about Iraq and its people is due to you. So knowing you this way, I have sensed for some time how desolate you must be feeling. Then when I got your message I wanted to say something reassuring - and couldn't. Felicity, I know from experience that a broken heart is not to be comforted. But I want to appeal to the writer in you. You must know that there are can be very few people - I know of none - who can write about Iraq the way you do. You put all your heart in it and people who read you can feel the humanity of the Iraqi people - the humanity we all share. I want to thank you for what you've made me feel. Keep writing, keep feeling. And in time, perhaps Camus' Sisyphus will help a little. Best wishes, Elga Sutter _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk