RISE

 Shadows cannot exist in LIGHT.

Hate cannot exist in LOVE.

Fear cannot exist in FA ITH.

Despair cannot exist in HOPE.

Doubt cannot exist in TRUST.

Greed cannot exist in GENEROSITY.

Arrogance cannot exist in RESPECT.

Strife cannot exist in PEACE. 

Division cannot exist in UNITY. 

Cruelty cannot exist in COMPASSION.

Humanity must RISE above the strife, for HUMANITY CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT LIGHT, LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, TRUST, GENEROSITY, PEACE, UNITY AND COMPASSION.

We will rise

 We will rise up,

In our truth.

We will rise up, in our own power.

We will rise up, in our peace.

We will rise up in love.

We will rise up and shine our light... together

Turning a blind eye

"December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." President Franklin D Roosevelt most of us at some point or another when we have studied American history have come across  all or part of the speech. However there is another date of significance February 19, 1942 President Franklin D Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 effectively imprisoning all Japanese-Americans into internment camps. In reading an excerpt from John’s gospel which says "39Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’”  

In our online morning prayer group the moderator stated "Our reading is asking us to look within our own heart and examine where we are blind.  This is one of the most difficult areas to grow spiritually in our life. A hint from the text is that blindness is in the areas that we become the most defensive because of our sureness that we are right." FDR and his advisors were sure that imprisoning a population of people was the right thing to do in the name of National Security.  it wasn't until 1988 that the United States government officially apologized and made reparations to Japanese Americans who had been imprisoned. Recently California issued its own official apology to Japanese Americans for its part in imprisoning them. This was as usual posted on social media followed by comments about various other groups of people that deserved apologies and reperations. We have all heard the expression turn a blind eye meaning pretend not to notice. United states citizens turned a blind eye to the government rounding up and imprisonment of a group of people born in this country who were not white. Families were separated. The social media troll was correctly pointing out the United states history of treating other groups of  "non whites" horrifically while the country turns a blind eye. 

Soon primary elections of 2020 will begin. We can no longer turn a blind eye. Jesus said  ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ In that spirit I encourage EVERYONE who is a citizen of the United States 18 years or older make sure you are registered to vote and then go vote.  Regardless of political parties look within your heart and vote for the candidate and the policies that line up with your values. With your vote you declare ‘I came into this voting booth for judgement so that those in government who do not see may see!" ’

Talking About Your Generation

Where are you hippies?

Where are you flower children?

Where are you dreamers on the rise?

You were once the hope for future Generations. 

You were to leave this place better than you found it.

Now what have you done to it?

A generation which believed in peace love and understanding.

Now silence the voices of opposition with guns.

A generation tore down walls which divided us

Now stand by as new walls are built. 

You fought for freedom of speech. 

Now you try to silence those who tried to do the same.

When did you become so jaded?

When did you become so apathetic? 

When did you stop doing what is right?

When did you start doing what is easy and safe?

Your generation said you would teach your children well. 

But have you really? 

2 generations standby and watch as mass shootings become the norm.

You who shouted the phrase books not bombs.

You watch as our education system sinks deeper into the abyss. 

You call us apathetic. 

You tell us how in your day you changed the world for the better.

Why didn't you teach us? 

Where are you hippies?

Where are you flower children?

Where are you dreamers on the rise?

"Gender Neutral"

There has been much debate recently about the use of "gender neutral" terms. The debate to my understanding is using "gender neutral" terminology allows for more inclusivity. The idea I presume is "gender neutral" language will lead to more gender equality.
 As a college graduate with a BA in English, an  English teacher and writer, this question fascinates me. 
I have spent much of my adult life focusing on the use of language. In addition I have studied foreign languages throughout my life. Therefore I see several challenges in attempting to use "gender neutral" language.
In the languages I have studied including  French and Spanish there is no "gender neutral" language. Everything has a gender even inanimate objects.  For example a ticket in French is masculine "un billet" the toilet is feminine "la toilette." in some languages I'm told such as the Native American Choctaw language there is gender neutrality for objects but there is still gender differeciation for people. While in other languages such as Russian when a woman gets married she takes on the feminine form of her husband's last name, presumably to indicate that she is the wife (i.e. property) of her husband.

The idea of "gender neutral" language does not appear to take into account that language is fluid and not static. Four example, Shakespearean plays were written in what was during Elizabethan times  "the common man's English." Ask many high schoolers today who are "forced" to read Shakespeare as part of their English class curriculum and what was once considered to be a Common Language is now is foreign to many of them as dead Latin. By way of further illustration words  such as the use of the "n word" within the the African american community  or the word "queer" in the LGBTQ community  were once used to disparage members of those communities. Recently however, these words are  being reclaimed by many members (*disclaimer I said many not all) in order to empower themselves. 

 When many people attempt to use "gender neutral" terms they succeed for a phrase or two and then revert back to gendered terms. The focus then shifts away from the content of the subject matter. The subject matter shifts to the perception that even proponents of "gender neutral" language cannot maintain it for very long so how can they expect others to do it.
 Gender roles have blurred over the years causing issues of gender equality to come to the forefront. Recently the questions of gender roles and gender equality have become more complex with the LGBTQ... joining the conversation. However, gender equality is but one part of the larger issue of human equality. By focusing on the use of "gender neutral" language are we actually being deterred from the larger issue of human equality. Perhaps we should focus less on what we call each other and focus more on how we treat each other. 

We Want Kennedy

Watching the Netflix original documentary on Bobby Kennedy. A man who died almost a decade before I was born. What strikes me is here was a man who knew that his bid for presidency would possibly results in his death. In spite of this very real possibility he still chose to run for the office of president not out of some lust for power and greed but out of a genuine desire to make this country a better place and to help the people of this country regardless of race. I wonder where are those politicians now? The ones who got into politics to change this country for the better or did they all get into politics for the power? Is it any wonder that people in this country are disgruntled and dissatisfied with our leaders? Even kids who are not old enough to vote yet have taken to the streets have confronted the leaders of this nation. I'm reminded of a quote by the late singer-songwriter John Stewart who along with his wife Buffy Ford Stewart was with Bobby Kennedy on the campaign Trail." It's time to tell the children it's not about the Rings that we put up on the fingers of the man who would be king." 

Shootings in the schools

Hundreds of students filing out of the school with hands on their head and hands on each others shoulders.
Helicopters swarm overhead.
Tanks park in the parking lot with guns aimed at rooftops and front doors.
Armed SWAT officers go from door to door and room-to-room.
Children and teachers hide in closets calling loved ones not knowing if this will be the last time they hear the voices.
A news commentator says this has become a common sight.
Mass shootings in school, kids killing kids has become a common sight.
People question on social media when will this stop.
When will the laws get changed?
The laws won't change until we vote every single person out of office from POTUS all the way through Congress.
It Won't Stop until we take special interest money out of politics.
How are we the only country that this happens to?
I don't think we are but when it happens in countries far away it "doesn't concern us."
People offer thoughts and prayers and yes they help but don't stop there
 offer your votes.
Offer your help.
Think globally act locally.
Go donate blood, go volunteer at a local charity.
Pray for those who are affected but don't stop there.
Use your voice and use your votes to make sure this stuff stops Happening Here .