Imagine all the peopleLiving for todayImagine there's no countriesIt isn't hard to doNothing to kill or die forAnd no religion, tooImagine all the peopleLiving life in peaceYou may say I'm a dreamerBut I'm not the only oneI hope someday you will join usAnd the world will be as one -- John Lennon
Every time I hear this song by John Lennon, I get tears in my eyes. I sigh and say to myself "I don't know, Mr. Lennon." I do wish we could imagine so much positivity in the world. The wars, the killings, the bombings, the hunger, religious superiority complex, war on children and so many more crimes are committed by humans today. I wish we could imagine everyone living in peace.
A few days ago I was able to witness something that did make me imagine. About two weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a protest rally against the killing of innocent children in Gaza. I was skeptical, not sure of what to expect. Would there be violence? Would people become angry? Is it safe to take my daughter with me?I was scared and nervous from inside.
My 16-year-old daughter was the one who dragged me there, she insisted that we go and support this cause. When I got there it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. There were thousands of people walking peacefully and in solidarity with the families of Gaza. There were people from every race, country and religion. It made me so proud to see Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians and even atheists' that came together to let the world know that we will not stand for the killing of innocent lives.
There were Americans, Chinese, Palestinians, and Egyptians, Koreans, Malaysians, Syrians, Pakistanis, Indians, Lebanese and people from so many other countries supporting the cause, walking down Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. They believed that this war and its atrocities could be stopped, if they dared to stand together. These 8,000 imagined a better world where their voices could be heard.
Maybe John Lennon was right to imagine a better world.