Inspirations of a "Revolutionary"

Earlier tonight I had the good fortune of watching the soon-to-be-released movie "Che" on roadshow at the E Street Cinema in downtown Washington DC. The entire movie is 260 minutes long, but it will be shown as two separate feature length films when released nationwide. Tonight, we saw the entire 260 minutes with a ten-minute intermission. Upon emerging from the theater well over 4 hours after I arrived, I could hardly discuss it, due to the epic journey upon which I had just been taken. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, thought-provoking, terrifying, and at the same time heart-wrenching. Most of all, it very thoroughly captured the charisma, persona, and revolutionary zeal of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was portrayed flawlessly by Benicio del Toro. I rode home on the metro inspired to action and wondering what historical circumstance and fortune would present itself for me to leave my mark on the world in such a way as Che.

When I got back to my place, I listened to a Chilean folk song about Che Guevara, then immediately picked up my autographed copy of Seize the Time by Bobby Seale, co-founder and Chairman of the Black Panther Party, and began to read. Although I bought this book after hearing Mr. Seale speak at American University almost four years ago, I still have yet to read it. However, I was just so inspired by the passion of Che Guevara and the relation to the actions of the Panthers in the United States that tonight seemed the perfect time to begin. I just finished the first 55 pages or so and decided to write of my thoughts tonight here on the Good Hood blog.

However, before I could make this entry, I stumbled across a news article about the capture of the last Tamil Tiger-controlled city by the Sri Lankan military and was struck by just how universal "revolution" truly is. Tonight, or today, at this very moment, government troops are stamping out the last remnants of the leftist rebel resistance in Sri Lanka just as they were 40 years ago in Bolivia and just as the police and FBI did in the United States with the Panthers. But look anywhere around the world and you will see the same struggle occurring. The haves vs. the have-nots, majority vs. minority, one religious group vs. another. One in control of the state apparatus and the others using any means available to resist. Surprisingly to some, the United States was and is tied into many, if not most, of these conflicts in some way via funding, military training, or direct combat roles.

As my good friend said to me after the film, "How can we find a balance between the order of an unjust state and the chaos of ongoing revolution?" Personally, I don't believe we ever will. For the only thing that is truly constant is change. Perhaps we are doomed to battle each other in the throes of armed revolution til the end of time? Or perhaps we will all eventually be assimilated into a one-world government? What do you think?

On that note, I leave you with a song of ours called "Evolution," for free download. Thoughts and comments are welcome.

Click to hear and download GooD HooD - Evolution

Peace...
Deuce