Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 01:52:04 -0500
[The following submission to WTN is an excerpt from the first weekly written update by Aaron Jorgenson on his walk from Williamstown, MA to Washington, DC to raise awareness of Tibet. The walk is inspired by the upcoming DC - NY march being organized by ITIM and Takster Rinpoche, and by the desperate situation regarding the young Panchen Lama. Aaron's walk was planned with Dr. Gerstein of ITIM, and other Tibet support groups, and he is being supported by the Williams College chapter of Students for a Free Tibet. GNK]
Aaron Jorgensen 19 February, 1995
Writings From my Walk to Washington, DC for Tibetan Human Rights, Volume 1
To Be Distributed as Widely and Freely as Possible - February 15
First things first (nearly). I had intended, yesterday, to write an introduction to this journal, to clarify something of my purpose; I intended also to hike 23 miles with a 50 lb pack, arriving snug and warm in the home of a sympathizer. Such is the nature of intention. I have never written, nor read, anything of this sort; it is as fascinating and troublesome as the walk itself, a confusing mix of the public and the personal. What do these words mean: "public," "personal"; what boundaries are being drawn here?
So, something of my purpose: this seems to be a journal and a correspondence; I will write each day, with minimal editing. You, my correspondents, include: the communities of Williamstown, MA and Williams College, subscribers of National Student News Service, subscribers of various Tibet Internet listservers, readers of GLOW magazine (on the World-Wide-Web), listeners of WCFM in Williamstown and WNAM in North Adams, MA, my friends and family; this correspondence will grow as I travel, meeting with new individuals and press alike.
Originally, I intended not to pretend that this walk of mine is a big deal. I was dead set against publicity, solicitation, and setting up an itinerary and contacts in advance.
However, discussing this with others, I was persuaded to these strategies so that: (1) Tibet will receive more attention, (2) people on the road will be more receptive to me and my cause. It is my hope that this publicity will be useful, but I continue to have suspicions and concerns. This is no big deal. To travel on foot has not always been, and need not be, unusual, even in winter. That it seems unusual is a reflection of our time and place.
February 19 Why Tibet?
Again, yesterday, I arrived at my scheduled destination. I am feeling somewhat competent. I camped last night in some woods, on an estate which once belonged to Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert (aka Ram Dass), and the League for Spiritual Discovery. Since then, I am told, it has been used as a camp for boy scouts.
Again, I was trespassing. This makes me sad. Much of the land in New York, so far, has signs posted against trespassers. Another membrane. What would we be like, what would our world be like, I am wondering, if we let go of "keeping out" and "keeping in"?
Tibet; Buddhism. On the very first day, I stopped in a roadside hotel, to warm up, get some water. The proprietor asked me about myself; I explained. "Why Tibet?" She was put off. "Why not this country? This country's going down the tubes." Good point; good question. "You have to start somewhere." "Start here." she said.
Strange as it seems, to her, to some men in a diner today, to myself at times, that is precisely my hope, my intention for this walk. These things are universal. Start anywhere. Here and there are not different.
There have been, and are, other genocides, other oppressions; here is another chance for us to be human. The Tibetans have much to share. An ancient tradition and practice of peace, love, simplicity, in which their lives have been beautifully immersed.
"Start here." So. I'm out here. The blue sky, the green grass. The wind blows itself.
This is why.
