Name: As I Write This, You Are Dying: A Letter to Lake Erie
Brand: inthesetimes.com
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As I Write This, You Are Dying: A Letter to Lake Erie

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This Thursday night, join us live online to celebrate 46 years of muck-racking, truth-telling journalism at the In These Times anniversary celebration, featuring Adam McKay, writer and director of "Don't Look Up." Editor’s Note: On Feb. , a&nbsp;federal judge the ​Lake Erie Bill of Rights,” a&nbsp; in Toledo, Ohio last year in response to pollution, which caused an that poisoned the city’s drinking water. Markie Miller, an organzier with Toledoans for Safe Water, which advocates for Lake Erie’s rights, wrote the following letter the night before a&nbsp;court hearing on the&nbsp;law.Dear Lake&nbsp;Erie,As I&nbsp;write this, you are&nbsp;dying.I am searching for the right words – of comfort, inspiration, even acceptance – because all you ever seem to receive is an ​I’m sorry.” An apology, no matter how sincere, feels hollow and cold. It will not bring you redemption or&nbsp;peace.You have sustained me for &nbsp;years through your constant and selfless presence. Yet it was not until you were sick that I&nbsp;fully understood the quality of life you were capable of&nbsp;providing.I have watched you more closely since that time. I&nbsp;keep my distance, respecting the condition you are in, and observe the decline of your allure from the Toledo shoreline. Your appearance is always calm and subtle, despite your pain. Aggressive waves do not break against your western bays unless encouraged by the wind. Yet, this characterization is misleading. We forget you are not always so tame and soft-spoken – in fact, you can be fierce, powerful, and&nbsp;free.I caught a&nbsp;glimpse of your sickness in – but your screams were muffled by our own concerns and fears. I&nbsp;cannot justify any further silence. You undergo endless monitoring and testing, but it’s done with an inherent disregard for your&nbsp;life.Your ​caretakers” claim ownership of you as an excuse to throw money at you in exchange for your services – and silence. Can they really not see that the rhythmic dance of your waves along the shore has grown weary, heavy with the flesh of dead fish, void of the life and recreation that adorns the beaches and open waters of your sisters? I&nbsp;want to say they are ignorant of your pain, but I&nbsp;know better.How long can I&nbsp;enable this abusive relationship without&nbsp;guilt?There will be no chance of defending your memory. At your end, we will soon follow. The severity of that situation sits heavy on my shoulders and deep within my gut. I&nbsp;have fought hard for your rights without always realizing how much they reflect my&nbsp;own.I am sorry. I&nbsp;promise this sorrow is fleeting – it has served me as a&nbsp;moment of rest. I&nbsp;understand your desire to be seen as stoic and brave. Damsel in distress does not suit you – a&nbsp;quality you have passed on to those you sustain. I&nbsp;likely will not weep for your loss. If that day comes, I&nbsp;will be too exhausted from this fight to shed tears of&nbsp;sorrow.In your revival, we will find life; in your death, we will find only blame. Blame for our misguided obedience and trust in a&nbsp;system of law that upholds injustice, legalizes your abuse, and has ensnared us with a&nbsp;false illusion of&nbsp;representation.Today I&nbsp;feel burdened with knowledge, but tomorrow I&nbsp;will feel empowered by&nbsp;truth.I will always fight for your survival, never your&nbsp;memory.With devotion,MarkieWin your dream vacationThe In These Times raffle is our most popular fundraiser of the year. This year, the grand prize is a trip to a destination of your choice—airfare and lodging are on us.The live drawing will take place at our virtual annual event on Thursday, September 15, but you don’t need to be in attendance to win. With a grand prize of a $1,000 airfare voucher and a $1,000 Airbnb gift card, you can design your ultimate getaway. 100% of your donation will go towards supporting our independent, progressive journalism.Have thoughts or reactions to this or any other piece that you'd like to share?Similar articlesJoin our newsletterFearless journalism, emailed straight to you.Subscribe and Save 66%Less than $1.67 an issueWatch live Thursday nightAcademy Award-winning filmmaker Adam McKay, writer and director of “Don’t Look Up,” joins us to celebrate the 46th anniversary of In These Times. Plus: Chris Smalls and the JFK8 Amazon workers.

This Thursday night, join us live online to celebrate 46 years of muck-racking, truth-telling journalism at the In These Times anniversary celebration, featuring Adam McKay, writer and director of "Don't Look Up." Editor’s Note: On Feb. , a&nbsp;federal judge the ​Lake Erie Bill of Rights,” a&nbsp; in Toledo, Ohio last year in response to pollution, which caused an that poisoned the city’s drinking water. Markie Miller, an organzier with Toledoans for Safe Water, which advocates for Lake Erie’s rights, wrote the following letter the night before a&nbsp;court hearing on the&nbsp;law.Dear...

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As I Write This, You Are Dying: A Letter to Lake Erie

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