I'll BE the hero

I'm not waiting anymore.

A cause walked into my living the day Shantha Bloemen came to visit with her four year old son. She'd just received the call that her husband, Munyaradzi Gwisai, and 44 others had been arrested for watching videos of uprising in Egypt. For meeting to see what they could do to change their circumstances.

Until that day, I had not given Zimbabwe much thought. I didn't think about Robert Mugabe. I didn't know enough to care.

But now I care.

Robert Mugabe, my friend is suffering. Her son is missing his father. And his father has been imprisoned, tortured and charged with treason. Children are without there parents. Families are without their breadwinners. People are without a voice and they live in fear. But I have a voice, and now a reason to use it. And I will use it to help set my friend's husband free.

And though I have felt the twinge, I will not act out of hatred. Or anger. I will come from love and conviction. I will share a truth... over and over until people notice. It's already happening. With empathy. Creating solidarity. I am making friends and learning their stories. And sharing them. We are finding common ground and supporting each other. We are sharing good ideas and giving a voice to people who are too scared to use their own. We are growing. And we are everywhere.

So far, 39 of the 45 have been released, and I am very happy for them. But I will continue until the other 6 are free. And I won't go back to sleep. Because I know there are others now. And I care about ALL of them now.

I'm awake now. I'm paying attention. And I'm on a mission.