It is that moment of the year when, here in Romania, we remember those who died in the 1989 revolution. An excellent opportunity for politicians of all colors to lay flowers at crosses and monuments and to claim those who died did so for whatever ideas they happen to be peddling at the moment. That’s the nice thing about martyrs and heroes - their deaths can be appropriated by anyone. The dead have no say. They thought they did, 29 years ago, and they took to the streets to say it. What they did not know was that someone was counting on them to do so. The script of what was to be the bloodiest revolution in the 1989 anticommunism uprising was very specific - we’ll have tens of thousands of people in the streets, some will inevitably die and when the sound of bullets dies down we shall step forward as saviors.
The sad truth about the protests and revolutions is that there’s always two groups - the ones who believe in justice and freedom and are ready to die for their beliefs (aka the ones you see on TV), then there’s the planners, those who wait for the dust to settle to emerge from their hideouts. You’ll see them on TV too, clamoring to know what did the heroes die for.
I am too busy to remember those who died on that day. In fact I rarely spare a thought for them. Do you want to know why? Because I lived. I survived to have a future those kids that died never got to.
Take a good look at the picture above. That memorial is in downtown Bucharest, near the fancy Intercontinental Hotel. It is the first place in the capital where people were killed during those days. Thirteen people, mostly young, were killed. I was there, but I did not die. You can call it survival instinct or simply cowardice - those of us who survived ducked into a nearby building, breaking through the big glass doors when we saw the tanks coming. I’m glad I did because frankly I would have hated it to die because it was scripted I should sacrifice my life. The name in the picture above is of a girl younger than me who died at about this exact hour 29 years ago. Had she lived, she’d be buying presents for her children today. But all that is left is a name, she got a street named after her. Oh, and a free burial plot complete with marble cross in the Heroes Cemetery! The fate of our country had been decided in talks between Bush and Gorbachev, the script called for some blood, although someone could have risked his own life and shoot Ceausescu, wasn't that hard...
We venerate heroes and command their bravery. It does take a lot of courage to stand your ground when guns start firing. Still, I cannot help wondering how many would have stayed at home that day knowing that dying an heroic death would be used as a stepping stone for shadowy figures waiting to grab the power?
Look at the politicians you like most in your country - would you give your life to see them in power? The last few decades we’ve witnessed lots of revolutions - from the Ukraine, to the Arab springs, down to the recent protests on the streets of Paris, fortunately victimless so far. It doesn’t even matter that in most cases the scripts are written in some far away country, be it the US or Russia, interested to see a regime change to further their strategic interests.
The people we see on TV carrying flags and building barricades have one thing in common no matter the country - they believe in something, they want change and they are ready to die for what they believe. Without asking themselves who’ll benefit from their deaths. How many countries do you know that went through bloody revolutions and you can say it was worth it? The sad truth is that the bloodier a revolution is the more entitled the emerging rulers are. And it’s quick - get some desperate people on the streets, create some violence, have some martyrs and there you go, the revolution succeeds in no time.
Regime change is necessary from time to time, as political elites everywhere have the annoying tendency to become arrogant and corrupt. Yet people should understand how manipulation works and stay the fuck off the streets. Have those waiting in the wings risk their own lives.
Hopefully, the tensions in France will die down over the holidays’ season as there is no doubt those wanting Macron out would be quite happy to see some blood on the streets of Paris. For a country like France it would take just a handful of martyrs dead in the streets and the president would be forced to resign. A few of the girls above gunned down and Macron would be history. Would it be worth it, though? Would you sacrifice your life or that of your child for whoever wants to grab the power? Trump would be happy to see Macron out, Putin would be happy to see an Eurosceptic taking his place, some more taxes would be scapped and that's about it.
Personally, I have come to the conclusion it is not worth it. Long before I understood the extent of manipulation in our society I’ve promised myself that if I ever get to live through another revolution I’ll grab the popcorn and watch it on TV.
Thanks for reading
