Hello, I know it's been way too long since I've sent a message to you. I promise to do better and communicate on a more regular basis from now on! I've been involved in some exciting things and, of course, this is a wonderful time to witness and participate in people all over the world acting on their desire to be free.
I accepted a blind date in the United Arab Emirates and I want to report on it to you. No, unfortunately, it's not what you're thinking! Maybe that will come next time!But, as for this time, I was invited to participate in the launch of a carbon neutral publication by Global Village Partnerships, CLEAN UAE, and the people behind this publication are absolutely fantastic! It was wonderful to experience such harmony in this part of the world with the values that I know we all on this list share. This confirms for me, again, that there are more of "us" than there are of "them." So, when will we start acting like the powerful majority that we are? Following are my words as prepared for delivery last night while the political ground underneath our feet trembles, giving us an opportunity to rearrange things, fueled by people power. I hope we seize this moment everywhere there is oppression of people and insult to our planet: Beware the false prophets of which there are many! Power to the People!
Cynthia McKinney
CLEAN UAE
************
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3 February 2011
I
would like to thank Global Village Partnerships, Ltd. for inviting me
to be a part of the launch of their inaugural, sustainable, carbon
neutral book for the region, CLEAN UAE.
I want to thank
CLEAN UAE for including me, but also for selecting the Gulf Region and
the United Arab Emirates in particular for its inaugural launch. I had
an opportunity today to gain a keener understanding of the roots of
Emirati people, thanks to Emirates NBD for allowing me to view the
Pearl Museum donated to the people of this country by Sultan Al Owais.
There, I saw how 80% of the Emirati people participated in an economy
driven by the hard work of artisans, shopkeepers, technicians, workers,
and divers who risked their lives in search of natural pearls. A
culture of hard work was born.
Thanks to the President and staff of Emirates NBD who patiently answered all of my questions, I gained a keener understanding of the roots of the Emirati people. From this singular visit, I now understand that beyond the Dubai skyline, Emiratis know full well the importance of maintaining harmony with Mother Earth. Their culture rests on their relationship with this planet--first her seas and now her land. They know, even more than many, especially from the United States, just how precious our Earth really is.
I want to thank Emirates NBD for helping me to understand who Emiratis really are and I want to thank all of you for supporting GVP Media and their CLEAN UAE publication.
Tonight, I would like to focus first on the very real possibilities for deep and transformational change that exist within all of us. Individuals in North Africa, Europe, and West Asia are rewriting the history of their countries as "people power" takes center stage in resetting today's course for human organization. And whether this is planned, orchestrated, or spontaneous, the power in "people power" is undeniable.
This "people power" has always existed within us; history is written by those who recognize the power of the human dream of freedom and who set about making that dream a reality, against all odds.Individuals who even tacitly accepted the status quo for decades are now recognizing their own heroism and are acting accordingly.
This awakening has the potential to define the 21st Century for us just when some of us were about to give up all hope for change.
With too much of the human family mired in poverty, hunger, physical and mental abuse, deception, hatred, lies, war, death, and planetary destruction, it is clear that each one of us must muster everything inside of us and make the ultimate personal commitment to change.
If we are to realize the change of our dreams, it is clear that we must become the change we want to see.
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