Reading 8: the ones who stay and fight

Page 1: The Day of Good Birds in Um-Helat

• Local custom celebrated in the city of Um-Helat.

• The Day has no actual relation to birds but is embraced by locals cheerfully.

• The city is adorned with:

  • Brightly dyed silk pennants.

  • Unique drones made of copperwire and featherglass.

  • Monorail cars trailing flamingo feather decorations.

• Geographical Context: Um-Helat is located at the convergence of three rivers and the ocean, part of a migratory pathway for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Children and Their Joy

• Children are dressed in wings made by parents and community members, fostering creativity and play.

  • Wings made from organza, quilted cotton, and real butterfly wings (only those that died naturally).

  • Children run and leap, pretending to fly through the streets.

• Those unable to run use specially designed safety drones for gentle elevation.

• Adults also don wings, highlighting a culture of playful adult involvement.

• Attendance and participation by everyone is encouraged regardless of individual preference for wearing wings.

Celebrations and Community

• The city exhibits a vibrant atmosphere with:

  • Street vendors selling custard-filled cakes shaped like jewel beetles.

  • Artisans providing mechanized paper hummingbirds.

• The afternoon highlights include a parade honoring farmers:

  • Farmers are essential for the city’s prosperity through sustainable practices in soil and water management.

  • As a result of these efforts, no hunger exists in Um-Helat.

• The celebration is inclusive, with a diverse representation of citizens actively participating in the joy.

Page 2: The City’s Spirit

• A strong and kind woman, a symbol of community, engages with children, showcasing Um-Helat’s values of kindness and inclusivity.

• The city is characterized by:

  • Polyglot community, promoting the use of multiple languages.

  • A vibrant market scene with food and entertainment, creating community bonding.

• Joy in Um-Helat is pervasive and profoundly difficult to convey accurately.

• People care for one another, highlighting a collective social responsibility that shapes the city's culture.

Social Structure and Living Conditions

• Despite some challenges like transient housing, the city provides a nurturing environment for all its inhabitants:

  • Regular upkeep of public spaces and safety measures for vulnerable populations.

• Emphasis on teaching children opportunities, accountable parenting, and respect for individual lives.

• The variety and diversity among people is celebrated and encouraged, representing a melting pot of backgrounds and identities.

Page 3: Utopian Ideology

• The narrator reflects on the notion of Um-Helat as a utopia, contrasting it with dystopian practices in other societies.

• Recognition that historical injustices are actively addressed rather than ignored:

  • Established systems focus on making meaningful societal changes.

  • The idea of equality is revered and sought.

• The contrast made with places that condone inequality exposes lingering global issues regarding social justice.

Page 4: Social Workers in Um-Helat

• Introduction of social workers traveling to address troubling occurrences and uphold community stability.

• Um-Helat possesses unique abilities, allowing its citizens access to knowledge across different realities, although there are limits to physical travel.

• The discovery and sharing of external information lead to mixed perceptions about their own world.

Page 5: Encounter with Reality

• The death of a citizen due to the consequence of misusing knowledge from another world prompts urgent discussions among social workers:

  • Singing political songs highlighting the importance of valuing every life.

  • The narrative emphasizes responsibility and the emotional impact of violence and trauma.

• A little girl connected to the victim reacts with a mixture of grief and desire for revenge, showcasing the potential cycle of violence.

Page 6: Responsibility and Care

• Social workers strategize on how to break the cycle of hatred and help the grieving child.

• Their immediate concern integrates empathy and protection for the girl, championing rehabilitation and care over punitive action.

• Potential for healing through understanding, emphasizing community values in handling trauma.

Page 7: Call to Action

• Reflection on societal responsibility and the importance of actively participating in community care.

• The reader is urged to fight against injustices and contribute to preserving Um-Helat’s values of compassion and interconnectedness.