Here's the thing-
I can say I'm Bradley Manning.
But I'm not. I haven't suffered what that brave young man has. I'm not facing what he's facing.
I understand what it means, to say I am Bradley Manning, on a number of levels. First, it's a show of support. It's a way to build unity. It also means that I, you, anyone of us- all of us- are a whim away from being treated like Bradley Manning.
I get that.
But, if I were Bradley Manning, and he was me- I think he'd be doing a lot more to get me out, to see that justice was done for me, than just holding up a sign saying I am Lee Burkett. Or signing a petition.
No, if I was Bradley Manning, and he was me, I'm pretty sure he'd be resisting this illegal government in every way he could, for me. He'd be in the streets, for me. He'd be engaged in strikes and boycotts and civil disobedience, for me. He'd risk comfort for me.
I know that because I know he already did it, for me. He showed me the truth about the insanity and brutality of my own government.
So, let's be honest, okay? We wish we were Bradley Manning. We wish we had the moral conviction to do what is right, no matter the risk. We wish we were as brave, as caring.
I'm not Bradley Manning. But I wish I was. And I wish you were, too.
Lee Burket