Activism

I have always been very, very "active," just ask my mom. So by the technical definition of the word I have always been an "activist." Most of my early activism however was in the form of developing convictions and than articulating these convictions to the best of my ability. Over my lifetime this habit has made me a formidable speaker. But the problem quite understandably is a great tendency to form false convictions based on too little experience and knowledge; I am most definitely guilty of this.

In 1989, at the age of nineteen I joined the United States Marines. At the time I was a right wing leaning, conservative Republican with borderline racist views; early vigor with disproportionately lacking wisdom for sure. I was a product of white middle class America and I saw "minorities" and in particular black people as "such a small overall percentage of the American population that contributes such a large percentage of harm to America." I was making a common mistake amongst white populations throughout the West; I was clearly acknowledging the end result of centuries of slavery and pervasive institutionalized racism while nearly oblivious to the root cause of the resulting "harm" to society; very common. Indeed.

The irony of life, I find it incredibly fascinating. Without doubt I have grown the most in my most ironic of experiences. Joining the Marine Corps is perhaps my greatest personal irony.

I joined the military because over the years I had believed the Marine Corps commercials (which are among America's best) that oh so effectively trademark the inherent qualities of Marines; "Honor" and "Mettle." I had been indoctrinated all my life into believing the United States was a positive force for "Freedom" and "Democracy" in the world so it became a noble act to join the Marines which was an extension of America's good will in the world. I know it sounds crazy too many but that was my reality early in life; I feel no shame for this and I make no apologies but I do acknowledge my stupidity 100%.

My tainted view of the world was to be shattered however and I have the Marine deception to thank for it. With one year completed out of my four year contract I was well respected and in a high position of power as a as a Private First Class (PFC 0311 Infantryman; Assistant Fire-Team Leader - M-249 SAW Gunner). I still largely believed in the virtues of the Marines and that was part of my naivety in conducting one of the greatest life changing experiences of my life; I reported my immediate superiors for violating ships rules and violating their position of power. I jumped my chain of command and blew the whistle on my superiors who were defying one of the crucial aspects of being a solid Marine; "Leadership by example!"

My superiors were breaking ships rules by closing off a passage way simply so they could maintain more air-conditioning in their living area; which in turn made life for us lower ranking pissants much more difficult. From my perspective they had violated the trust of those under their charge and their duty as United States Marines; and I was right to report them. But most important of all I did so openly, I did so honorably. I could have reported them anonymously but I conscientiously chose not to, and my life became a living hell from that point on.
I learned first hand what it was like to be a slave and to be targeted for speaking honestly and honorably. I caused my platoon (roughly forty Marines) to be collectively punished for my actions. I learned who my real friends were. I looked over my shoulder regularly. I ultimate said fuck the Marines yet I honorably served in Gulf Slaughter I; another great irony. It was my first hand persecution, the pain and anguish of it all that was the absolute key to my coming enlightenment.

Lesson number one for me was just how infinitely precious freedom is; I vowed I would exercise and defend my freedom to the maximum from that point forward. And I fucking well have, I am as free as anyone; but there is a price for freedom in a largely enslaved world.

That freedom combined with respectable personal intelligence and a whole lotta love in my life ultimately resulted in my breaking free from the collective state of insanity that has most Westerners firmly in its grasp. And I owe this personal liberation directly to my Marine Corps experience; so in that sense I am eternally grateful to the Marines. And I cannot help but chuckle at one of the proudest of Marine Corps mottos, Once a Marine, always a Marine.