The Great American Privilege

November 4, 2008 – We got up at 6AM, just as planned, to go vote today. We walked, as a family, to our polling place and were in the door at 6:45. The 3 rows of chairs that were awaiting the long lines were quickly filled and were able to stand and sign in at 7AM.

As we looked around the room, some people were getting their ballots and waiting for a booth to open up. Others didn’t bother with a booth. They just dropped to the floor and began filling in circles. Not a very private way to vote, but then it hit me: So what? We live in a country where these people can choose to vote, even forgoing the most private means (the booth) and still feel safe. They have no reason to fear. No one is going to blow them up, or spray them with tear gas. More than likely, even if someone did see their ballot, no one is even going to say anything to them about it.

Because today is the day. We’ve heard the arguments. We’ve even given a few ourselves. But when it all comes down to it, I will defend your right to vote as you choose and I have a feeling that you would also defend my right, even if, no, ESPECIALLY if, we are voting differently. Because that’s how we do things in America. That’s how peaceful democracy works.

Book Review – Eden: A Novel With a Lot of Truth to It by D. Kevin May, PhD

Eden: A Novel with a Lot of Truth to It

by D. Kevin May Ph.D. 

Looking at Kevin May’s website, www.kev.net, I find myself asking this question, “Did Kev May set out to write a book, or did he set out to start a revolution?” This is a story about a carefully planned, seemingly exotic, journey. Kevin recounts his trip throughout Southern Asia and Europe in a language that emphasizes a “us and them” mentality. The contrast of lavish lifestyles against the backdrop of poverty grabs your attention and causes you to feel a bit of self-consciousness, with a shot of righteous indignation.

This story about Daniel, a.k.a. Kevin, is a true-story-blend of fact and unverifiable, admittedly embellished, detail that keeps you guessing. (Imagine if James Fray had been honest with Oprah from the start.) You’ll be so inclined to assess the meaning of every conversation and ruminate every exchange, you’ll put the book down, for a little while, in order to reconcile the words with your own worldview.

There is one rule to reading this book; opening its pages commits you reading every single page. (Well, except the explicit love scene, you can skip those two pages. I did.) Kevin’s writing style isn’t exactly the refined prose you may be used to reading, in fact, he admitted to me that it was dashed off in a matter of only four months. But don’t let that slow you down, the value of the story isn’t diminished by the author’s lack of linguistic precision.

The story calls into question the idea of “coincidence”. It’s filled with stark moments of clarity that slowly and unnoticeably slip into to Daniel’s confusion. Declarations are made with an immediate resolve and then as soon as they are made, they begin to fade so slowly, you barely notice. When you do realize what’s happening, you find yourself wanting to grab Daniel by the shoulders and shake some sense into him. You want to yell “What are you thinking?” Watching helplessly from the sidelines, the suspense keeps you turning the pages.

In the end, the resolutions are made, the sides are chosen and you’re faced with the Truth. The battle between good and evil is very much alive in this day and age and there are those who are out to get you. Let the revolution begin.

You can purchase Kev’s book here.

Vote, Baby, Vote – 3/3/08

About 6 weeks before Super Tuesday, I was picking up the living room and had the TV going in the background. My 7 year old son came in, plopped down on the recliner and said, “What happened?”

I said “What?” very flatly.

He pointed to the TV and said “That. What happened?”

I glanced at the TV and said “Oh, a lady was killed in Pakistan.” I’d been hearing about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto for days, and quite frankly, it was on another planet as far as I was concerned.

But my 7 year old persisted. “Who killed her?”

I slowed down and started to pay attention, not to the TV, but to my son. “They don’t know. That’s why they’re talking about it.”

Then he asked “But why did they kill her?”

I looked at my husband for help. He said “They didn’t want her to be the leader of their country.”

My son got this look on his face, his eyes narrowed and you could see the contemplation, “But why did they kill her?”

I was confused. What didn’t he get? “She wanted to be the Prime Minister and some people didn’t want her to be, so they killed her.”

Again, he was thinking. Then he said it all “So…. why didn’t they just ….not vote for her?”

That was the moment for me. That was when I decided to pay attention. That was when I decided to get involved. I listened to the debates, I choose carefully and on Super Tuesday, our family of 5 stood in line for about 45 minutes to be counted among the supporters of Barack Obama. It was cold, our three year old only had on a hoodie, we hadn’t been expecting to stand outside at all, but there we were, in line, in the mud in the freezing rain and wind. It would have been easy for us to just go back to the car and say forget it, but Benezir Bhutto wouldn’t let me. A lady I’d never really cared about before was now the inspiration to have my voice heard. I don’t even know what she stood for, but I do know this: She didn’t die in vain.

So, when you get your chance, don’t pass it up. Be heard and participate in this country’s fair and peaceful change in leadership.

Patriotism for This Generation – 2/19/08

Conservative radio talk show hosts have been blasting Michelle Obama for not being “proud enough” of her country, but I’d like to propose that she’s probably more proud than most of us who are carrying her husband to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The generation that embodies the current movement in this country to elect an African American inspirationalist to the White House has mediocre patriotism for a reason. We never had to put our families into boats to cross the Atlantic for religious freedom. We never shot at Red Coats, or fought with Natives. We never had to blaze trails across a vast and unknown land or fight in a civil war. We never suffered from a the starvation of the Dust Bowl, or from the Great Depression. We weren’t saddled with the responsibility of freeing thousands from the repression of Adolph Hitler. We didn’t experience John F. Kennedy, the Cuban Missile Crisis or race the Russians to the Moon. We’ve never greived the loss of a sitting president.

No, we were raised in a time when Americans were individuals. Pride in our country was passed on to us like an heirloom that we cherished, but never really possessed as our own. Americans of our generation never had to band together to defeat anything or overcome any adversity. The generation before us told us the horrors of war, particularly the war that was lost during their early years. We never understood the need for war. Even in both Iraq wars, the country was never consumed by it. We didn’t send all of our men to fight and leave our women to build the artillery. No, even during those wars we just went on with our daily lives, worked in our offices, drank our cocktails and watched reality television.

But now, here we are, at a crossroads with real prospects, because you see, that reality television did give us something. It gave us the knowledge that we have to power to change someone’s fate. Whether it’s voting someone off of American Idol or electing the man of our choice to the White House, we now understand the power of making a choice. And for the first time in our generation, we are not just individuals who can do very little, we are a united people who can again bring out the greatness of our country. Finally, we are proud Americans.

Idolotry of Patriotism – 1/09/07

So, today, I got the following email and usually, I blow this stuff off, but not today. Today, I’ve had enough.

A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.Recently, large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let’s say I break into your house. Let’s say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, “I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work) because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be
there.

It’s only fair, after all, because you havea nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me!

Why can’t people see how ridiculous this is? Only in America….

If you agree, pass it on (in English). Share
it if you see the value of it as a good simile. If not, blow it off,along with your future Social Security funds.

So, this was my response:

I usually don’t reply to these emails, but honestly, where is your compassion for humanity? This story shouts “Me! Me! Me!” Why do we feel like we can disregard the teaching of Jesus under the guise of patriotism?

Jesus said give to all who ask of you and if a man forces you to go one mile, walk with him two. Not only that, but if he sues you for your shirt, hand over your coat as well. (Matt 5:40ff)

Jesus wasn’t into protecting a lifestyle (or speaking only one language; He spoke at least two). He broke the cultural barriers that kept the Samaritans poor and struggling. He came to give life to people, not just Heaven in the future, but a full abundant beautiful life here and now.

Jesus ate with “sinners” (people who by the way, weren’t “perfectly honest”) and associated more with them than with the finger pointing Pharisees.

If you want people to stay in Mexico, get involved with a project or mission to improve their country. Have compassion on the poor.

Lay down your flag and take up your cross.