by I William

Created on: May 17, 2008

My Fellow Humans,

I do not stand before you today for my own benefit. I stand before you for the purpose of survival; the survival of our species and the survival of our planet. We are a mass of millions upon millions, but seemingly minuscule when compared to those before us and those yet to come. We are the bearers of the past and the manipulators of the future. Our existence today will forever be imprinted upon the earth. Our successes and failures, our priorities and neglects, our good deeds and our evils will guide the transformation of mankind and our planet.

Our thoughts are what drive us to act. They are the reasoning behind all that we do. But let us never forget that our thoughts are the one true freedom we all share. No matter the circumstance, our thoughts belong to us. I beg of you to allow them to be untainted by prejudice and preconceived notion.

Please do not be mistaken. This is not an attempt for Utopia. It is simply an attempt to make the best of what already is. The realities of our species cannot be changed. Nor can the impact of our species on the planet. But we can make an attempt to change direction. To preserve what is left of the environment and embrace the gifts the Earth has provided for us. We can as individuals and as a collective whole see beyond our physical sight and recognize each other as equal beings with equal value and importance. We can allow our actions to be motivated by the needs of all rather than the needs of one.

I implore the leaders of the world to take heed. I speak to all who have risen to power over people. Government officials and religious leaders of the world, consider your actions carefully. Do not allow them to be manipulated by selfishness, pride, prejudice or greed. Although unfortunate, but necessary because of your position, the world needs and deserves, you to be able to ignore your personal feelings. Examine yourselves. If you find that you act for the purpose of individual gain and grandeur, resign. Remove yourself for the sake of humanity.

For business leaders and media moguls, I encourage you to think of the long term impact of your decisions. Though you are not held to any "promise to the people", your actions effect thousands and sometimes millions. Resist the temptation for immediate gain through exploitation. Deny the desire to conquer and destroy. I beg of you.

May we always practice the unwritten and often ignored laws of being a human. To act in a way in which we would like to be acted upon. To speak in a way in which we would like to be spoken to. To recognize the Earth as the living entity that it is. The ability to be empathetic can be the key to the survival of humankind and our planet.

I reach out to you with these words. My body is hidden and my voice is distorted intentionally. Not for the purpose of deceit, but for the purpose of allowing the words to be heard. They will not be analyzed in accordance to my race or gender. They will not be dismissed or remembered in accordance to my culture or age. Nor will they be associated with me as an individual. For one individual cannot change the world, but one thought presented to the world, can change an individual.

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