Active self-discovery

Political activism has long run in the blood of James Bequette of Cape Girardeau -- since at least the time of the Vietnam War when he participated in protests as a member of the Air Force.

But even then he had respect for the armed forces.

"Of course, I didn't wear my uniform," says Bequette.

In a part of the country where "liberal" is, to many people, a four-letter word, he unabashedly claims the title, if people wish to apply it. In his eyes, he merely considers the facts and makes a reasoned judgment on any issue -- far from the emotion-based reaction most liberals are accused of.

"In my opinion things do not get done without liberals leading the way," he says. "What do you think Gandhi and Jesus were?"

Not to say Bequette compares himself to Ghandi and Jesus. He knows he's just a man, not a leader of a large-scale social or political movement. But Bequette is using that liberal, civil disobedience philosophy as a vehicle to tell the story of one man's self-discovery in a new work of fiction called "Elevating the Depths."

The title is lifted from a phenomenon a professor in seminary once told him (Bequette, in addition to being an activist, is an ordained United Methodist minister). It refers to digging deep into one's own psyche and coming out with a healing revelation about oneself.

"He was accused a great deal of using a nonsensical phrase," Bequette said. "'Elevating the depths,' what does it mean? It means we have to be able to discover who we are if we really want to feel comfortable with ourselves."

"Elevating the Depths" starts with protagonist Kenny Cartee planning a demonstration against the war in Iraq at a military facility, with the knowledge the act will probably put him in prison. Later Cartee is forced to take a stand again in the Missouri Ozarks against eminent domain.

Like the author, the character hails from the Ozarks. Growing up there shaped his view of himself and life, as it did the author.

"When I started in seminary I was just known as the 'Kid from Swampeast Missouri,'" says Bequette.

This isn't Bequette's first book, having written a self-published, unconventional history of Cape Girardeau, a published book about his home of Bonne Terre, Mo., and worked as a freelance photographer.

He knows the stigma some may attach to self-published authors, but with a book industry that's harder to crack into today than ever, he sees it as the only way to get his work published.

"It's not perfect, but in my opinion it's equal to many of the books put out by publishing houses today," he says.

This book is the one he's most proud of, and also the one that might startle people with its stance on war (Bequette proclaims himself a pacifist, as is his main character).

Bequette knows the issues tackled in "Elevating the Depths" are high-profile right now, precisely the reason he picked them to tell this story of what is commonly called a midlife crisis. But the issues aren't the real focus, except to let people know that one person with conviction and integrity can make a difference.

"The strength of the book is not about Iraq, not about eminent domain, it's about an individual in his 30s trying to find out who he is," says Bequette. "He's going through this change consciously, and it sparks him to protest the war and eminent domain."

Of course, much of Cartee's ideas are lifted straight from Bequette's own mind and experience, giving the character a bit of liberal activist bent.

Bequette relates a story of working at a Cape Girardeau camera shop in 2000, when President George W. Bush was elected.

"I told the owner that we would be at war with Iraq in three years, because W wanted to finish what his dad had started," says Bequette, no fan of the elder Bush, either. "I was laughed at, but after 9-11 I said, 'there's the justification he needs.'"

Cartee goes through the exact same incident with a co-worker.

The protagonist's demonstration on a military base, which occurs on April 15, is also drawn for Bequette's own experience, he says. Many years ago, Bequette says he staged a demonstration with a friend at Whiteman Air Force Base while he was still a minister. At the last minute Bequette had to back out due to a death in his congregation. The friend went through as planned, and ended up in prison.

But that didn't dampen Bequette's activist spirit. Like his protagonist, the author is a self-described rebel, who believes civil disobedience is the best way to affect change in a democracy. Especially in a democracy where he sees government more detached from constituents, more tied up with big money than ever.

"I think we have to hold our elected officials' feet to the ground," said Bequette. "Like the demonstrations regarding immigration -- I think it's wonderful and I hope it spreads to all of us."

The author has a long history in politics. In 1976, he was appointed as Jimmy Carter's aide for the then-10th Congressional District. In 1978 he filed as a Democratic candidate for state representative, a seat then held by Southeast Missourian owner Gary Rust.

But his biggest claim to political fame, says Bequette, is working as a media coordinator for famous American Indian prison inmate Leonard Peltier. In 1975 Peltier and other members of the American Indian were part of a shoot-out in which two FBI agents were killed at Jumping Bull Ranch in South Dakota.

Peltier was convicted of murder in a controversial case. Amnesty International and other activists call him a political prisoner.

Bequette says he was watched by men in black cars and his phone was tapped during his work with the Peltier defense camp. It may sound like paranoia to others, but Bequette speaks of the surveillance calmly and swears to its validity.

His book references some things many call conspiracy theories, like a headline from a Honolulu newspaper the week before the attack on Pearl Harbor, warning residents the Japanese might attack that week.

But he stands by all the controversial claims, including his own past.

"I don't want people to think I'm a fruitcake," says Bequette. "What I would challenge people to do is contradict anything in the book I've stated as fact."

He hopes the book will cause people to challenge their assumptions, not just about their government but about themselves.

"Part of the purpose of my writing is I want it to be enjoyable, but educational and thought-provoking as well," he said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182