Page 73 of The Pacifist
“Nine days ago, my family and I woke up to find one of our buildings burning. Little did we know that long after the flames were put out, our world would still be on fire.
“Our initial relief that no one got hurt changed to shock and sadness when the next day, accusations were made against us. I’m well aware that these allegations have the potential to ruin everything we have created as a family, including me losing my seat on this council.
“Many of you have raised the question how someone like me could turn a blind eye to criminal behavior such as drinking alcohol, racing, and playing cards.
“Several of you have expressed how disappointed you are with me, and how we as Council members should have a higher level of integrity than the rest of the population.
“But since when did integrity mean to blindly follow every rule set up in front of us? I was taught in school that integrity is about being incorruptible, having a strong character, and standing up against injustice.
“Isn’t that why all of us feel compelled to come in here day after day to argue against laws that we and our voters find rigid, harmful, and archaic?”
Jonah looked to the right. “Just last month Selena Herman stood in front of us arguing about the unfairness of some rigid rules that her voters complained about. I felt proud when we came together and lifted the ban on snowball fighting and off-piste skiing. But why stop there?
“Why not allow people to drink a beer if they want to? Or race a dirt bike if they so choose?
“I’m here to advocate for more personal freedom, and to point out that there were no victims of the crimes my family and I are accused of.
“From all our past discussions about lifting bans and modifying strict regulations, I know that the counter argument always revolves around safety.
“I see the good intentions behind the argument that it’s our responsibility to protect our fellow citizens and that we need to eliminate all danger. It’s a nice thought. But it’s also a pipe dream that ends up causing more harm than good to our people. Why? Because it’s a proven fact of life that we can never create a natural environment without dangers!”
Jonah held up a hand with three fingers. “Humans have fallen from trees and died, yet cutting down all the trees is not an option if we want to breathe clean air. Humans have drowned in water, yet removing all the water is not an option if we want to live. Fire has killed people and burned down whole towns, yet it has also helped cook our food and keep us warm since we lived in caves.
“We can never shield people from all danger. The best we can do is educate them against dangerous situations.” He paused. “Raise your hand if you learned how to swim in school.”
All the Council members raised their hands.
“Now ask yourself this question… how would you feel if two hundred years ago swimming had been banned because someone drowned? Would that seem fair to you? Would it seem right?
“We forget that many activities that are now illegal used to be everyday pleasures in the past. Enjoying a horror or romance book, having a glass of alcohol, racing for fun, or gambling with your friends… all these things were done responsibly by billions of people throughout history. They were ordinary and legal things in the past and in some parts of the world, they are still legal.
“And yet, here I stand defending myself.
“Some of you have mentioned that I was bound to get in trouble because of my male gender and that I’m proof that men can never be trusted.”
Leo booed at the screen and was shushed by the rest of us.
“I’m fine with you calling me a rule breaker. But it’s mind-blowing how many of you identify as advocates for change, while pointing fingers at me for taking a stand against rigid rules and laws that hurt and suppress a number of minority groups among us. Many of which never felt like they had a voice on this council, until I came along.
“The irony is that you’d all like to call this council an open-minded place with values of inclusiveness and tolerance. But how can it be tolerance when the only people you tolerate are the ones who agree with you, act like you, and share the same values as you?
“You embrace people of all colors, shapes, and sizes. But only as long as they think like you. Where’s your tolerance for those of us who don’t fit into your mold of homogeneity?”
Pearl was nodding her head. “I love that part.”
This time we all collectively shushed her.
Lifting his hand, Jonah held up the forbidden book that I’d read seven chapters in. “Two hundred years ago, this small romance book calledForbidden Letters from the Northcaused our predecessors to take radical measures. Out of fear that women would throw themselves at the mercy of the monsters living on the other side of the wall, they banned all romance books and made it illegal to even speak about the Nmen, whom they believed to be violent and brutal by nature.
“People who dreamed of love were ridiculed in public as being simpleminded, and even to this day, being called a romantic is an insult. But did you know that there was a time before all this when a romantic person was seen as an idealist, dreamer, visionary, and someone with a kind and soft heart?
“As a bunch of bullies, the Council members of the past pushed good people into a corner full of shame that they never deserved to be in. Obviously, we are not responsible for what our ancestors did hundreds of years ago, but if we do nothing to rectify this mistake, we’ll be remembered by future generations as a bunch of followers who failed to stand up against injustice.
“Romantics shouldn’t be forced to trade love stories on a black market or live in fear of ridicule and being caught. Nor should anyone who likes a cold beer or the adrenalin rush of driving fast.
“Who are the romantics harming by reading books about love?
“Who were we harming by racing in a secluded area?
