Le quatorze juillet -- Fête Nationale!
Enjolras rose early as always, showered and dressed and had breakfast as always, but today there was something different about him, a sort of restless energy. Once again he had worked on a speech for today for weeks, and for the first time since losing the election (and truthfully for some time before that) he felt clear in purpose and light in spirit. He may have been struggling to find his place in the island's society, but one thing he knew he could do was speak of freedom, of what was right and good, of liberté, fraternité and égalité.
After breakfast he went outside, remaining near the door of the compound so that more would hear and hopefully listen, and began to speak. "Citizens, once again I come before you on a day of celebration for my mother country, a day that celebrates liberty and the power that rests in the hands of the People, if only they will grasp it and make it their own. Last year on this day I spoke of the many wonders of this place, of all that is available to us, as it should be, and I beseeched you, my brothers, to take action. To participate in the Republic that has been founded in this place, to each give as we can for the benefit of all. I remind you today of this essential task and once again ask that we all remember there is a price to be paid for the access we are all given to schools, medicine, food and shelter, and that price is service to your fellow man in return."
Enjolras paused before continuing, giving his words time to be absorbed, because he felt they truly were important or he would not trouble saying them. "Today, however, I have chosen to ask something more of you, Citizens. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen states, among its rights, that a Society has the right to require of every public agent an account of his administration. This is the task I challenge each of you to fulfill. It is not enough to simply do your part, head down and eyes forward. Each of us must question, must search for the truth and check the hands of those in power, that they do not become closed in an iron fist while we live in ignorance. In this place, knowledge is shared and made freely available, and every man...woman and child should avail themselves of this knowledge, so that it remains this way. Ask your council what decisions they are making on your part, tell them of your concerns, create an open discussion between ourselves and those we have chosen as our official voices. Do your part to ensure that the power in this place remains in the hands of the People, and that the decisions made by our elected representatives remain transparent, known to all. If something concerns you, question it! Do not simply assume others know better than you, find out why it was so! Require accountability from anyone who makes a decision for you, and in return the government built in this place will continue to flourish, as will our society. As will we all."
He looked around at those who had gathered and said in a quieter voice, "Vivre libre ou mourir," then nodded to his listeners and added, "Thank you." Then he clasped his hands behind his back and waited to see if anyone else wished to raise their voice, whether in assent, dispute, or question.
[It's your annual Bastille Day post from the revolutionary! Gathering style, tag Enjolras, tag each other, pick a fight or agree with him.]
After breakfast he went outside, remaining near the door of the compound so that more would hear and hopefully listen, and began to speak. "Citizens, once again I come before you on a day of celebration for my mother country, a day that celebrates liberty and the power that rests in the hands of the People, if only they will grasp it and make it their own. Last year on this day I spoke of the many wonders of this place, of all that is available to us, as it should be, and I beseeched you, my brothers, to take action. To participate in the Republic that has been founded in this place, to each give as we can for the benefit of all. I remind you today of this essential task and once again ask that we all remember there is a price to be paid for the access we are all given to schools, medicine, food and shelter, and that price is service to your fellow man in return."
Enjolras paused before continuing, giving his words time to be absorbed, because he felt they truly were important or he would not trouble saying them. "Today, however, I have chosen to ask something more of you, Citizens. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen states, among its rights, that a Society has the right to require of every public agent an account of his administration. This is the task I challenge each of you to fulfill. It is not enough to simply do your part, head down and eyes forward. Each of us must question, must search for the truth and check the hands of those in power, that they do not become closed in an iron fist while we live in ignorance. In this place, knowledge is shared and made freely available, and every man...woman and child should avail themselves of this knowledge, so that it remains this way. Ask your council what decisions they are making on your part, tell them of your concerns, create an open discussion between ourselves and those we have chosen as our official voices. Do your part to ensure that the power in this place remains in the hands of the People, and that the decisions made by our elected representatives remain transparent, known to all. If something concerns you, question it! Do not simply assume others know better than you, find out why it was so! Require accountability from anyone who makes a decision for you, and in return the government built in this place will continue to flourish, as will our society. As will we all."
He looked around at those who had gathered and said in a quieter voice, "Vivre libre ou mourir," then nodded to his listeners and added, "Thank you." Then he clasped his hands behind his back and waited to see if anyone else wished to raise their voice, whether in assent, dispute, or question.
[It's your annual Bastille Day post from the revolutionary! Gathering style, tag Enjolras, tag each other, pick a fight or agree with him.]