Who Bombed Judi Bari?
Children of the Perp's Response
by Mary Moore, 5/12/2000

In spite of a rather harsh title it was refreshing to read Michelle Dennehy's article "Children of the Perps" in last weeks A.V.A. I'm sure it offended many of the true believers in our midst but it needed to be said.

Michelle pretty much summed it all up when she stated "The response from the crowd underlined that leftist characteristic that allows the Barians to get away with all of this--the ability to believe, no matter what the facts, as long as they serve a purpose deemed noble." I would only add that it is not just on the left that this dynamic operates--just look at the centuries of military, governmental and religious oppression on this planet brought to us with the cooperation of the unsuspecting to say nothing of the more later day cults that attract the well intentioned but non critical thinkers!!

We leftists like to think that we're smarter than all that as we go merrily on our way iconizing our martyrs. It's a trend that has always concerned me but I've really gotten it hammered home in the last ten years as I've watched people who never knew Judi Bari attribute qualities to her that she never had and strongly deny qualities that she did have. Judi had enough good stuff going for her to stand on its own without latter day embellishment.

Yes, Judi's ego did get pretty big as she cut herself off from those friends who were critical and surrounded herself with those who weren't but I think even she would be uncomfortable with some of things attributed to her since her death. She was a complex and very human being just like most of us and was a damn good organizer. She was also an abused woman in her marriage who fluctuated between trashing Mike and defending him. Those people who are going ballistic because some of her old friends have been pointing out the obvious either didn't know her (or Mike) or have something to gain from the myth. To accept just one theory without questioning it is mental laziness.

I also see this tendency in the Mumia followers. I have personally worked hard over the past few years to get Mumia a new trial. There is no doubt that he deserves one just as any number of death row prisoners do also. Because he is articulate and a revolutionary he has become a cause celebre among the trendier parts of the movement. That disturbs me and I suspect it probably disturbs Mumia because guilty or not, he recognizes that a corrupt and racist system is the issue--not one man. That's alot harder to tackle and it means a longer and deeper commitment than attending an icon of the month event.

 I don't know what to do about this leader/follower mentality that seems to be so ingrained in our species except to try and point out how it hurts all of us. Those who become icons can never live up to our expectations of them and it stunts the growth of those who need heros. Why can't we just admire people for their good qualities and work to develop them in ourselves?? Giving away ones own power to others isn't fair to either the giver or the receiver.

 So thanks to Michelle for writing an article that is bound to bring down heaps of criticism on her. It took courage in today's non questioning climate.

Mary K. Moore
Camp Meeker CA
(707) 874 2248