Words that Never Leave You: "I had never protested anything in my life. And yet this became the most exhilarating, empowering situation I had ever been in."
Part Thirty-Five in an ongoing series from Hollie's book "Words That Never Leave You: Fifty Pearls of Wisdom and Reflection from Survivors Across the World."
Hidden in the sleepy depths of the undulating Mexican mountains, overlooking layers of dust and lush green, a longtime gang and cartel hitman – better known as a sicario – sat in the fading daylight. I could only refer to him as Ram, as he was one of the area’s most known and intimidating figures across both sides of the border.
Born in New York and raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, killing has been a relatively small portion of his dark career. Instead, the task usually involves “beating the shit out of someone” or issuing threats and intimidation. In some cases, one works alone, while a team is required in other cases.
However, Ram pointed out that one security project in particular stands out among the madness and mayhem defined by his “profession”. In 2011, he oversaw the security of the Occupy Wall Street movement during its 2011 heyday.
“I had never protested anything in my life. And yet this became the most exhilarating, empowering situation I had ever been in. Beating people up was nothing compared to this,” Ram reminisced. “Being involved in something greater made me feel so alive. It wasn’t about destroying the streets or doing violence; it was just getting people together to make a better world.”
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** Short read of meaningful lessons gleaned from the ordinary forced to become extraordinary
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