Author: Jim Guirard -- TrueSpeak Institute
Source: Washington times, December 18, 1987
In the annals of history, there has seldom been a major political, religious or ideological movement which did not adopt an easily recognized symbol of identify itself and to serve as a rallying point for its members and supporters.
All nations have their flags. Many adopt symbols from nature as well: the American eagle, the Russian bear, the British lion, the Canadian maple leaf. The ancient Romans had their bundle of sticks -- the "fasces" -- later revived by Mussolini to become the symbol of Fascism.
Early Christians used the sign of the fish, then the cross. The Nazis adopted the swastika. The communists have the hammer and sickle, as well as the "internationalista" sign of a clenched fist, held high.
But nowhere among all of these flags, symbols and signs is there one designed specifically to reflect the aspirations of tall those in the world who yearn for multiparty republicanism, for civil-libertarian "democracy," as we have come to call it.
Clearly, therefore, this most legitimate of causes -- the cause of individual human liberty and of freedom -- must adopt a universally understood symbol, around which like-minded pluralists and democrats the world over can rally their support and express solidarity.
It should be immaterial whether the new symbol's adherents call themselves "liberals" or "conservatives" in a domestic political context -- so long as they ascribe to a long list of individual human rights: the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion, judicial due process, emigration, privacy, property, information, artistic expression, independent unionism and multiparty political options, among others.
So what should liberty's new symbol be? As fate would have it, recent events in the islands of the Philippines -- combined with current events in nearby Nicaragua -- offer the world a most appropriate answer. It is the hand sign first used by the liberty-loving political movement of Mrs. Corazon Aquino. It was the same sign now being used by several democratic political parties in Nicaragua as well.
In the Philippines context, the hand is held high, the forefinger is pointed skyward, the thumb is pointed horizontally and the other three fingers are folded down. The purpose is to form the capital letter "L", the first letter of the Philippine word "laban" which means fight -- fight for freedom, of course.
In the Nicaraguan context, the same hand sign has recently been adopted by The Coordinadora, the loose-knit alliance of democratic political parties opposed to the dictatorial Soviet and Cuban-supported Sandinista party. There, they use it to form the capital letter "L" of the Spanish term "La Libertad".
Various leaders and member-parties of the far-flung Coordinadora have begun to display the "Laban/Libertad" sign on their political posters and written materials, while increasing numbers of Nicaraguan democrats have individually begun showing it in the street demonstrations -- openly proclaiming their commitment to democracy and human rights.
On Ortega's Return From Moscow
Quite significantly, on his return from Moscow on Nov. 5 Chief Comandante Daniel Ortega protested this intrusion by the "Laban Libertad" symbol onto the Nicaraguan political scene. He ranted to a large Sandinista rally:
"The people also have the sign to speak, to express themselves. They also have a right to do this. {Shows the sign of "Laban/Libertad"} Because this was the sign FDN gave them—as they say, this is their sign of liberty. Therefore, they are raising their hands and doing this. {Again shows the sign of Laban/Libertad.} So if Reagan's children are doing that, then Sandino's children have the right to do this." {Shows clenched-fist sign of "Leninism Stalinism."} {Applause, applause}.
Now that the Dye is cast -- thanks in part to Daniel Ortega's reaction -- the urgent need is to formalize, to publicize and to encourage its worldwide use as a powerful symbol of freedom and individual liberty. It should be introduced into Angola, Afghanistan and every other place where Liberty is fighting Leninism.
As Mr. Ortega himself proclaimed, it stands in graphic contrast to the clenched fist "power" symbol of the communists and their motley assortment of Marxist-Leninist "internationalistas".
As destiny would have it, the freedom-loving people of the Philippines have not only earned for themselves a new, albeit struggling, democracy, they seem, also, to have given the world a bold new symbol. "Laban-Libertad" by which all lovers of freedom can more readily communicate among themselves a determination soon to be rid of all variety of dictatorships—whether fascist right or fascist left.
Jim Guirard -- TrueSpeak Institute 703-768-0957 Justcauses@aol.com