Obsession and Hunger Striking

Obsession is an experience I would not wish on my worst enemy. I was obsessed in college with a boy. It started out as a normal friendship, but over time, it became an obsession. Most teenage girls just have temporary crushes -- I had an obsession.

That obsession literally took over my life, my thoughts, and my classes. It made dating other boys nearly impossible. Therapy didn't help that much. It is a wonder I did as well as I did academically despite the obsession. It even affected my first marriage (I am happily divorced now). At the time I met my now ex-husband, I was desperate for someone to make me forget the boy I was obsessed with, because although I no longer saw him, he was still in my thoughts and dreams. Over time, the obsession finally faded away although it probably will never disappear totally.

Tonight, while cleaning the cat litter, it occurred to me that the hunger strikers (day 14, nutritional supplements stopped) are obsessed too! They are obsessed with the idea that if they die, Fernandes will resign. They are obsessed with the idea that if they die, the media will report heavily on their deaths. They are obsessed with the idea that if they die, the deaf community will rally strongly behind the Gallaudet protestors. Despite all the pleas and comments from bloggers, they will not stop.

Most of all they are obsessed with what is going to happen if they don't stop their hunger strike...headlines that say, "death at Gallaudet University."