We will pause in memory of someone who knew the meaning of protest.
Václav Havel — October 5, 1936 – 18 December 18, 2011
“Truth and love must prevail over lies and hate.” — V.H.
Read this fine summation of Havel’s character and career by John Keane. Particularly worth noting is this paragraph:
So, given his multiple personalities and abundant achievements, what is the best way to remember Václav Havel? We should mourn his passing, certainly. But democracies shouldn’t immortalize their leaders, past or present. They mustn’t allow anybody to sit on thrones. Yes, they need to preserve memories of figures like Havel, particularly in our darkening times, when more than a few democracies find themselves in trouble. Yet democrats should try to live without political heroes and myths of great leaders.
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