In
Monty Python’s classic film, The Life of Brian, there is a line in the
closing musical number that remarks: “Life’s a piece of shit/When you look at
it”. Which can be far too true for most people, and if the song had ended
there, it would’ve been a depressing reminder of the futility of existence! But
the song doesn’t end there, it goes on to say: “Always look on the bright side
of life,” then there’s a jaunty bit of whistling to lift the spirits. You could
say that it’s always easy to look on the bright side when stuff is working out,
and you would be right! But the people singing this song (dozens of them) are
all in quite the predicament! They’re all being crucified. Yet they’re still
trying to look on the bright side of things!
I know,
I know, this is just a movie by a British comedy troupe. There wasn’t actually
a dude named Brian that everyone thought was Jesus, and dozens of people being
crucified definitely didn’t have time to sing a jaunty tune (they were too busy
being in excruciating (see the connection? CRUCIfication:exCRUCIating) pain.
But the message is still valid! Even in the most terrible and horrible and
painful of times, there is still light! There is still goodness even in times
of horrific evil! We just need to find it. And that can be so hard! Especially
with how the world is today; the media/news always focuses on the bad stuff
going on, and never on the good. Whenever a tragedy strikes the media focuses
on the death toll, and not the numbers of people going out of their way to
help. Yes, the death toll is important, but so are the people helping.
A
remarkable thing happened after the Pulse shootings: people started coming out
publically. People who had been scared to come out their entire lives, people
forced into the closest by family or religion, people who have been abused and attacked
because of their sexuality or gender; all of these people started coming out.
They saw this tragedy strike at the heart of their community, and they knew
they had to do something. The bravery that it must have took to come out after
something like this boggles my mind. These people, through their direct
actions, showed those who want to hurt us and keep us down, that we cannot be
kept down. That we will continue to fight for our right to exist and love no
matter what happens! And that we will fight with love! not hate.
When I
came out, there was no tragic even to spur it on; I simply came out because I
was ready. These people came out to show strength and to give hope. I had tears
in my eyes as I looked at all their beautiful faces. I felt pride swell in my
heart as I read their stories. For many of them, coming out was a selfless act:
they only did it to spread hope and love. That these people are doing this is
an amazing and wonderful thing.
Yeah,
life is a piece of shit when you look at it. You just gotta find that bright
spot. It is there, it might be buried, it might be hidden, and sometimes it’s
right in front of you.
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