| A young mother in Finland was concerned with flag waving here in the States, this is my reply. | Back to 911 | |
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The issue is the perception that singing the Star Spangled Banner and waving the red, white and blue is akin to war mongering. I am going to assume it's a cultural communication problem, not our first and won't be our last. I'm going to assume that Porro's heart is in the right place because when I step back for a minute I can see that she was asking for clarification, asking for reassurance. She was made afraid by how media can distort the truth. I'm going to assume that as a young mother she looks at her daughter and is frightened for the future. But the mis-perception and how that was communicated hurt a lot of folks who are already hurting. It falls upon me to attempt to mend the damage without inflaming feelings anymore. That's why sometimes I feel very old, very tired and very sad. This is not going to be a list where we argue one side or the other in this conflict. If that were constructive all barbers and all cab drivers would be running the United Nations and solving the world's problems. We are just ordinary individuals who have extra ordinary communication reach. We must be careful what we write for our reach goes far and folks are already hurting. If you're horribly frightened and can't cope with it, write to me. Have I ever made myself unavailable? Come to me in voice chat and let's talk it out. The Queen of England, in a show of solidarity, played the Star Spangled Banner at the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This has never happened in the over two hundred years of having relations with the UK. Does that mean she wants America to go to war? No, it means she wanted to show respect, solidarity and a commitment to America as the Sovereign head of her nation. Since the tragedy happened in America, playing the national anthem was to honor all who died on our soil that sad Tuesday. I won't weary your hearts further with the count and the amount of foreign born who also died, or the amount of American Muslims also slain. Suffice it to say everyone was hurt, all countries, all economies. But it happened here. More Americans suffered real and personal losses. Take care when translating our grief by your own countries standards. We've seen already on this list how this doesn't work out on simple clay issues. Ask questions, don't indict. Ask for clarification and admit something confuses you, don't assume something's one way or the other if you don't know. It's really a maturational process, an inter cultural communication process, I feel, and not an intentional insult and that's why I'm dealing with this in this manner. I know when ever I sing the national anthem, for a baseball game or a school gathering, I weep. I weep for I do love my country so much. It is mother to me. I'm sure that singing love to a nurturing figure is where a lot of our hearts are at. Not war mongering. We sing to honor our dead. We sing to unite our voices and our hearts in grief. This is how it is and how it should be perceived. In summation for this sermon I ask you to turn to your hymnals...naw, never mind I'll copy the verses here for our ease. This is the song I've heard more in our news, on the streets and sadly in my own kitchen. Amazing Grace. 1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see. 2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved, How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believed. 3. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. 4. When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun. 5. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. 6. As we now lay our garments down Upon our beds to rest, So Death ere long disrobes us all Of what we now possess. 7. Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the vail, A life of joy and peace. 8. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds And drives away his fear. [This one means a lot to me...and there's a cross for me.] 9. Must Jesus bear the cross alone And all the world go free No, there's a cross for everyone And there's a cross for me. 10. Shall I be carried to the skies On flow'ry beds of ease, While others fight to win the prize And sail through bloody seas? 11. Amazing grace has set me free, To touch, to taste, to feel; The wonders of accepting love, Have made me whole and real. This song I heard more than the Star Spangled Banner. I'd like to add Rock of Ages, for before I became a Muslim I was a Christian and the second verse is my comfort...in my hand no gift I bring, only to thy cross I cling...we cling on our faith to get us through these hard times. Faith keeps fear at bay. Let's maintain a spiritual and loving vibe here. No political arguments, no praise-blame games, no fear spreading for Fear is the opposite of Faith. Sing what ever songs of healing you have, Christian, Muslim or Jew. Sing what ever songs of peace you have whether Wicca, Pagan, or Rationalist. Sing what ever songs you have to ferry the dead over the river Stix. But don't mistake the songs folks sing at this time for anything other than the great wail of pain. Now, Christians...sing along with me here. Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, >From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure. Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill Thy law's demands; These for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone: In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling. While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. Maybe, just maybe, if we sing songs of mercy, forgiveness, love and redemption the perceptions of others and ourselves might be changed. Even James, who has "issues" with his religious past, sang Rock of Ages with me and that just made me weep anew. Now, clay nice. No accusations, no war mongering, no political debates or I'll have to don my Reverend NoraJean robe again and it's too heavy for this old grandmother. sigh NJ |
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