Like a wet dog, I decided to shake. I decided to shake off complacency with a move that looked like a peace, love and respect rally at the clock-tower steps. Earlier this week, I was reading in my apartment, and a Students for Life (Students for Life at Saint Louis University “is dedicated to protecting each and every human life from the moment of conception”) flier advertising Respect Life Week 2007 rested on the coffee table beside me. I got to thinking about what it means to respect life.? I got to thinking that if the choice is made to respect life …?that choice?should be all-encompassing, all-inclusive and not selective.

Students for Life deemed this week “Respect Life” week-I decided to take respecting life a step further. What about Respecting All Life? What about love, peace, respect for all life? In response, cardboard boxes transformed into painted signs reverberating peace, love and respect for all life. With the hope of communicating an alternative message of acceptance and compassion for all people, groups, and life . students sat, spoke and stood for peace.

Two weeks ago I wrote a letter to the editor about the power of choice. I echo those words today. May you choose to breathe deeply, to be present, to be mindful and to be peaceful.? Instead of dividing ourselves, instead of choosing sides, may we choose to sow seeds of understanding in our hearts. May we water those seeds with respect, dignity and love. May those seeds grow into integrated communities where people lay aside prejudice, complacency, apathy and where people stand up for peace and work for justice. “It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act”-unknown.

Love and peace,
Rebecca Gorley
Sophomore