Rossano, a cook on the MV Esperanza for the Mediterranean Toxics-Free Tour
There are a few things that make my experience of sailing around
with Greenpeace extremely precious to me: the vastness of the sea,
soothing my soul and heart; the natural life which surrounds us,
with its wonders... and the beauty of the people I encounter along
the way, paths that cross unexpectedly.
I meet Rashida Bee, president of the Bhopal Gas Victims Women
Stationery Union, the first time by chance in front of Sete railway
station, a small tourist town in Languedoc, France, where the
Esperanza is harboured. She strolls along with a heavy bag,
together with Doctor Quaisser, involved too in campaigning on
behalf of the victims of the Bhopal tragedy, and a few French
volunteers. I offer her to carry her bag, but she does not speak,
nor comprehend, any English. When I ask someone to translate my
offer to her, he replies "Well, if you can convince her to allow
you to do such a thing..."
The next day she and the Doctor are to be guests of honour in an
on-board press conference about Bhopal and the environmental crimes
of multinational companies.
She gives the crew a first taste about her experiences. She was
in Bhopal when her life on earth turned to a nightmarish hell. She
has witnessed so much pain and death, and she has lost six members
of her family. Six members of her family, as simple as that. What
would I have done, being in her place? How would have I reacted?
How much hatred would have filled my heart, blinded my soul, with
desperation engulfing me till I choked?
But I see no hatred or desperation in the eyes and features of
this woman. As she speaks to us with her calm, low voice, there is
only an amazingly deep dignity and firmness. I feel the power and
energy that she emanates. I am full of love and admiration and
compassion for this person. Oh, Rashida, what an invaluable lesson
you have given me! Humbled, I ask myself: Who am I, a "Rainbow
Warrior" (how ridiculous and pompous), compared to her?
She thanks us for helping her in her struggle. I go to her and
let someone tell her that it will be the highest honour to fight in
her name. Her eyes are on me, as to estimate me, and then she
thanks me with a smile. It will be our only way to communicate in
the next hours, through our eyes, but I feel we are able to share
more in this way than by talking.
Thanks to her I know again why I am here and why I am on board
of this ship. I am here to take my responsibility for my
contribution to the mess that our society causes this world. In the
name of consumerism, we are cutting down entire forests, sucking
the seas empty, bombing countries... and gassing to death a few
thousand people in India.
I know why I am here and I am aware of my commitment, and of the
powers awaiting me out there, ready to crush me. I don't say it
thinking of being a hero, or with pride, but with humbleness and
awareness of the horror of what the future could be. It is worth
trying. You teach me that Rashida.
Rosso