December 1, 2008 at 3:29 pm (church, country)
Driving through Columbia, South Carolina recently, I noticed an unusual shop near the highway. “Southern Pride Shop” complete with the obligatory rebel flags adorning the establishment. The large illuminated sign outside the store said, come see the large selection of Heritage Knives. Heritage Knives?, what could possibly be the purpose of such an item?
I’m amazed that such a shop exists in this modern age. At some point, one should think humanity would evolve to a more communal existence. Maybe I live a sheltered life and fail to see outside my present reality. Do people really have need for such a place as this? By the looks of the parking lot it seems the answer is a resounding yes.
Rebel Pride, Southern Heritage…call it whatever you wish. The bottom line, it is based on hate. Driven by divisiveness, us versus them. Hate of an individual that is completely unknown. Hate for a group of people based solely on the color of their skin. Dislike for someone because they mistreated you or someone you know is understandable. Separate from people known for caused physical or psychological harm to you or yours, also understandable. But to hate people due to something as uncontrollable as skin color, that’s just archaic.
I’ve heard too many comments from “good church going people” about our newly elected black president. There seems to be a strong dislike for this man based solely on his skin color disguised as policy disagreements. When away from groups I hear these “good church people” talking about how our new president won’t make it through his first term. They couch their thoughts in phrases like, “them ole boys will take him out.” The reality is these are thoughts owned and voiced through imaginary friends. Classic example of cowardice. This seems to be the standard.
Another means of fascination were the bumper stickers attached to the cars at the store that discussed the various interpretations of gun ownership. Some of these wanted to remind the rest of us their constitutional right to own a weapon, while others were more aggressive daring one to try and take their guns away. The NRA seems to have a strong foothold on this community.
I noticed two other bumper stickers shared by these comrades in arms. One was a unified support of the McCain/Palin ticket and the other was reminding everyone that Jesus loves you. Interesting.
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November 5, 2008 at 6:25 pm (country, parenting)
Today, I again find myself in a position I had long since vacated. I am again pleased to be an American. It has been a very long time since I’ve had the ability to say this honestly. Today…I’m so very proud!
Our country elected a fine leader, one who is both authentic and charismatic. A person who challenges us to achieve, to become fully what we are deemed to become. This man, while fully human, complete with flaws is the specific man needed to take our country back from the institution that has held it captive for so many years. The challenge will be extreme, likened to pushing sludge uphill, but possible with a united effort of community.
For weeks I’ve listened and read about all the reasons why Barack Obama would not make a good president. I’ve found myself knee-deep in debate on numerous occasions resisting the “good ole’ boy” network.” The disturbing trend used to vilify an opponent were not only repulsive but also repugnant. Church leaders who stated “a vote for Obama means you could not possibly be a Christian.” Fear may be a motivator for some church leaders, but not for seekers of truth and justice.
My daughter asked me if Obama’s brother killed Americans. This is what she picked up at school. A classic example of children acting out what they hear in the home. Fortunately, the confusion she felt was resolved by her mother who explained the reality of what she misunderstood. I’m sure there will be much more disinformation spread and an agenda of half-truths will surface. Of this we can be completely certain, opponents of change will fight with full resolve to make sure real change doesn’t take place. Why be part of the solution when you can continue being part of the problem?
Today, we have hope that tomorrow can be different. That for the first time the world knows the people of the United States want things to be different. For the first time in a long time people around the globe will realize Americans are not all the same. America now respects people of all backgrounds, each has the opportunity to achieve anything they want.
It was only forty short years ago that people fought for the rights of African-Americans to be treated with the same respect and rights as all others. The civil rights workers who fought so valiantly and sacrificed so much can take comfort knowing their efforts were not in vain. This election was the culmination of a dream, a reality made real by a gifted Senator from Illinois.
This election was won because the youth of this generation joined together to overthrow a corrupt, power hungry government that had completely lost it’s way. Just like the revolutionary youth of the 60’s, the young people of today knew how desperately change was needed and did whatever was required so it would come to fruition. Without the mobilizing of our county’s young people this historic event would never have occured.
So thank you for giving me and my family our country back. Thank you for allowing me to share the goodness of the American way again with my children. I’ve missed my country…I’m glad to have you back.
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October 28, 2008 at 4:55 pm (Love, country)
Recently, I watched a documentary on the horrible atrocities going on in Darfur. This region is experiencing continuous violence on a level previously unspoken. The killings taking place were beyond mere words. It seems almost like a horrible video game the manner in which these people are being slaughtered. Life holds no value, be it man, woman, or even child. No one is spared from the destruction, no one is overlooked in this slaughter.
I’ve known this senseless loss of life occurring in Darfur has transpired for a period of time. It isn’t like this just became front page news. Ignoring this plight has been easy to be oblivious towards as it seems so far away and receives very little notice by the media. Ignorance is a tool too often used as an excuse for not doing anything. I wonder how ignorant we truly are?
Maybe the problem isn’t indifference but rather the inability to comprehend. Speaking from my heart, I find the magnitude so tragic that my mind needs to ease the pain by segmenting the tragedy from my present reality. By doing so I can go about my daily existence without a single care about the suffering taking place in Darfur. I’m not sure how this occurs, but I’m certain I must not be alone in overlooking these evils. I say this with confidence because the conversation never arises in my circle. How do moral people sit by idly and not speak to these horrors? Frozen indifference has historically allowed events of this magnitude to grow. Where is the outrage? Where is the collective call to stop this genocide? Where is the gathering of humans devoted to helping preserve life coming to the defense of the helpless?
This is a call for God’s people everywhere, no matter what your religious belief to come together and be the hand of God in Africa. We can no longer sit by and allow this great loss of life to go unchecked. It is imperative that conversations begin and awareness is brought to light so the excuse of ignorance is permanently sidelined. Once we begin to acquire knowledge of evil then action is immediately demanded of us. Sitting on our hands while evil is perpetrated equates us to the level of those physically causing the harm.
Sound the alarm! Ring the bell! Shout from the street corner! Tell your friends! Write a letter to the editor! Do anything to make this issue worthy of the 6:00 news. We as a people can no longer sit by calmly and watch this occur. Just because we don’t know what to do, doesn’t give us the freedom to fo nothing at all.
Maybe if our government weren’t so busy building American colonies and outposts around the world to better the good old USA we would have the resources needed to help those who can offer us nothing in return. This is why America was founded, to be a safe haven to those wishing to avoid persecution. It’s high time American citizens demand their government spend more time practicing the 10 commandments instead of just fighting for the right to hang them on a wall.
To my church friends, this is a pro-life issue.
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