ADVERTISEMENTS

I think that Michael Walzer is right about the potential value of ceremonial acts of remembrance.  Where we are tempted to commit (or abet or ignore) injustices, sometimes a ceremonial enactment of remembering our own vulnerability could help us to avoid falling into the trap.  Abortion is a good case.  Each and every one of us, without exception, was once an embryo and a fetus.  In those early stages of our lives we were weak, vulnerable, highly dependent creatures.  Our lives could have been violently snuffed out while we were still hidden in our mothers' wombs.  Many people don't like to remember that or be reminded of it---it can be quite inconvenient---so we repress the memory (to use Walzer's phrase).  But a ceremonial remembrance of our vulnerability would remind us of the injustice of deliberate feticide and the need for us to remember those who are today vulnerable and stand with them in solidarity.  We could do it right in our own homes or in local churches.  I'm sure it would be harder to fly to Hollywood for the Academy Awards or to Chicago for a MoveOn.org convention. 

Bloggers, promote your law blog by nominating your blog for inclusion in USLaw.com's Law Blog Directory and RSS Reader. Benefits described.