歷史：過去，從未曾被遺忘

這幾天放年假，時間比較多，就拿起擱置快半年的一本講韓戰的書，The Coldest Winter，來翻閱。正好讀到講起日本殖民韓國 (朝鮮) 的那段時間，對韓國的隨後的政治、思想以及整體氛圍帶來諸多影響。晚上和南韓朋友聊天時，隨口問了她對這段歷史的看法。她說，不同政黨對這段歷史的說法不一，而對於民間來說，已經隔了兩三代的時間，「那已經是很久以前的事情了」，她如是說。

我突然覺得很感慨。

大江東去，浪濤盡，千古風流人物。豈止是風流人物，那些歧視壓迫，那些奮起革命，那些精打細算高築城府一點一滴謀權奪位，以及在砲聲隆隆下向所有神明祈禱能活著見到明天；那幾百萬張臉孔，數千萬種思緒感受，在幾十年後，都不過是一句，那已經是很久以前的事情了。

人生如夢，一尊還酹江月。

確實，無論是經歷著多巨大的轉變，「現在」，在記憶的沙灘上，都極為容易被時間給沖刷掉。幸好，其底蘊的人性常常十分相似。於是乎，雖然人，族群、國家、盟約國家群體之間，結合地理位置、政治利益、經濟需求和宗教信仰等，可以產生幾千幾萬種變化，但或許是因為其底蘊的人性相似，所以我們或也能在不同的歷史事件裡看見類似的樣貌。如波旁王朝後期的腐敗，與大清王朝後期的衰落；如台灣和韓國，尤其是南韓，在近代歷史與經濟上的雷同。更有甚者，每一個過去，都參與了形塑現在。就算明確的歷史細節被遺忘在時間的流裡了，其影響性，仍然被「現在」給傳遞著，即使「現在」可能並不知情。

現在是許多個過去的累積，而未來是許多個過去加現在的累積。因為是被累積著的，所以，即使在人們並不覺察的情況下，歷史，從未曾被全然忘記。

Rest in Peace, Neda Agha-Soltan and Michael Jackson

On June 20, 2009, Neda Agha-Soltan was shot in the chest during the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests. The videos and pictures of her death have been spreaded all over the world. After it, more and more people in Iran have been arrested and shot due to the protests against alleged electoral fraud.

Five days later, on June 25, 2009, death of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, took place in LA. After the news of the death spreading online, many companies, including Google and Wikipedia, reported technical difficulties because of the sudden increase of search for Michael Jackson. Thousands of messages written by his fans were left after EACH of his classical song’s MV on Youtube.

Both of the two deaths, one is the beginning of the violence, one is the end of the legend of a generation, are catching attentions of millions of people. Beside this, however, is there any other linkage between these two events?

Although Michael Jackson was most famous for his dancing, and that there were several scandals, which I don’t know whether are true or false, about him, he impressed me with one slow and lovely song most- We are the World.

I know the united of the world may never come. I know the peace of the world might be no more than imagination of John Lennon. I know that death will happen to anyone, healthy or sick, happy or sad, young or old, good or bad, famous or nobody. But I also know that there’s something to believe in, something that made Neda Agha-Soltan stand up to fight for, something that Michael Jackson (and the USA for Africa) sang in the song, in which I see images of care, and I hear sounds of love.

It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

---

We Are The World [USA Africa Version]




We Are the World [Michael Jackson Solo Version]





There comes a time when we hear a certain call (Loinel Richie)
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon)
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers)
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change (James Ingram)
We're all a part of God's great big family (Tina Turner)
And the truth - you know love is all we need (Billy Joel)

We are the world, we are the children (Michael Jackson)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making (Diana Ross)
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Well, send'em your heart (Dionne Warwick)
So they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free (Willie Nelson)
As God has shown us
By turning stone to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand(*) (Al Jarreau)

We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen)
We are the ones who make a brighter day (Kenny Loggins)
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making (Steve Perry)
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day (Dryal Hall)
Just you and me

When you're down and out (Michael Jackson)
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe (Huey Lewis)
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, let's realize (Cyndi Lauper)
That one change can only come
When we stand together as one (Kim Carnes)

We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making (Bob Dylan)
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day (Bob Dylan)
Just you and me

(Let me hear you) (Ray Charles)
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Steive Wonder
We are the ones who make a brighter day　& Bruce Springsteen)
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Steive Wonder
We are the ones who make a brighter day　& Bruce Springsteen)
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children(James Ingram)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making(Ray Charles)
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

More information about this song is in http://www3u.homeip.net/lyrics/show.php?fname=w27 (Chinese only)