Writing letters and more

I went on a walk the other day and was talking to a young woman who has views that should make her an Amnesty supporter.  However, she said that she had fallen out with the organisation, partly over the policy on abortion and partly because she wants to go to the root of the problems, not just write letters. 

I certainly like the idea of getting to the root of the problems.  I also like writing letters and that was one reason for me to join!  Now as you can see I like writing a blog here.  The pen is mightier than the sword, someone said.  I keep writing and hoping.  People who believe in human rights and want to do something can find various ways within Amnesty International but writing and communicating is certainly part of it. 

Reading is also important and the choice of what to read matters a great deal.  On one thing I agreed with the woman I met on the walk – if you just watch the television and read the mainstream press you are likely to miss out on important information.  Also of course you find (or miss) bias in many media. 

Read good stuff!  Read Amnesty's website and blogs and look at the links to other websites.  Read books and articles that do not just reflect the mainstream views, the views of the powerful.  A book that I am reading is Why do People Hate America? written by Ziauddin Sardar & Merryl Wyn Davies. More on that in my blog soon.