by Annamarie Hessman

As I near the end of my commitment to fast for ten days, I stand today very
small in the face of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Today at
noon marks the beginning of a ninth period of 24 hours in which I am
abstaining from solid food or substantial nutrients, yet I see how tiny my
efforts are.

Although I often have trouble sticking to various diets I set myself to
follow, my resolve and self-control have been very strong these past nine
days. Witnessing a parade of delicious offerings, I've been able to think
with determination of my commitment to these men who are detained without an
end in sight and of the fellowship of the amazing, committed people who are
part of this fast and Witness Against Torture.

What makes own efforts so small in my eyes is that my resolve is also firmed
by knowing that "I can have that later." -- my awareness of when this can
end. In grave contrast, the men in Guantanamo Bay don't know when they will
be charged with anything, let alone freed if not convicted. I can scarcely
fathom the despair they must feel under the conditions and uncertainty of
their detainment that have led several to suicide already and has led many
more of them to hunger strike. I can scarcely imagine what they must think
of me, of us, for doing this to them. I do not pretend to know what they
have suffered by my choice to fast for ten days.

It is said that one of the first things President-Elect Obama plans to do is
to sign an executive order to close Guantanamo, but that doing so may take
almost a year. On hearing this, I am reminded of Dr. King's famous remarks
in his "Letter From Birmingham City Jail":

"For years now I have head the words 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of every
Negro with a piercing familiarity. This 'wait' has almost always meant
'Never.' It has been a tranquilizing thalidomide, relieving the emotional
stress for a moment, only to give birth to an ill-formed infant of
frustration. We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday
that 'justice too long delayed is justice denied.'"

"....I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts
of segregation to say, 'Wait.'"

"...when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of 'nobodiness';
then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a
time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to
be plunged into an abyss of injustice where they can experience the
blackness of corroding despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our
legitimate and unavoidable impatience."

How long will we ask these men to wait?