I wish there was more discussion where people could see the logic behind someone's argument. The US does have an identity. It simply is not a white Christian hero identity that many of us were raised on. Personally, I am a big fan of the melting pot. Yesterday I went to an amazing Indian Food festival. People shared their food, their dances, their holidays, etc. My kids loved seeing the beautiful clothes and how they celebrate. My children also celebrate Christmas and we read the Bible stories even though I do not believe in God. Even if I was Christian, I would still seek out others and their journey. I think it is vital to being empathetic and to understanding a community is made of many voices. The fact is, Trump doesn't have to be cruel. Yoram and that whole movement are taking away choice and freedom from others because they want everyone to be like them. Simply, it is racist. They believe they are being replaced and they feel weakened because we have tried to raise less heard voices up from a level of silence. Now that they heard whispers of others they don't feel like they have enough and they want everyone else to go back to hiding and being ignored. Examples: telling gay people to go back in the closet. Getting enraged seeing a flag fly that isn't the America flag. Getting upset when they see a Muslim praying. Being upset about books with two moms or two dads. Screaming when multiple people are speaking something that is not English.
Why can't they let their beliefs be equal to the thousands of other beliefs? It is because they think they are superior. Me, I don't see my culture or non-belief as superior. I get riled up when I see injustice. Are we equal or not? The measure of democracy is the fight for equality. Votes. A chance to speak. None of it is equal. Our government is corrupted by money and outside interests. It is hard to say anything is equal and fair after the passing of Citizens United, especially. But I will be loud and try my hardest to keep fighting for fairness.
Luke, I appreciate your kind heart and your curious mind. Thank you for thoughtfully sharing. I appreciate it very much. It is brave to be vulnerable about controversial topics. I think men especially are in a difficult place. I think loving one another and having a listening heart slow to anger does make a man great. Approaching things that are unexpected and different with curiosity instead of fear would make for a much more peaceful America.
I relate to that so much, about loving the melting pot. I felt a little bit like the surprised pikachu meme when it suddenly became a controversial idea and I've felt like that ever since. At times I've felt so different from everyone, that might be the default feeling for a homeschool kid, but I actually think it is the default feeling for humanity. Maybe we solve it by either trying harder to be like everyone around us or embracing the difference, in ourselves and others. And I've found that when I do, it is never as much as I initially thought, someone often says "me too", which is what I hear in your comment. It puts the wind in my sails, thank you.
So many of my richest memories come from cultural experiences, and this is still a place where it is easy to find them, and I love that about this place. I went to a Native American celebration over the holidays that was beautiful beyond my words. I think that spirit is just plain good and it will find a way to reaffirm itself among us, it is undeniable. And we can do our part simply by being there to experience it all and talking about it. Your kids are so lucky to have a mom like you.
That's so neat you got to see a Native American celebration. I bought a book recently called Project 562. The person who wrote it traveled around to try to photograph the remaining tribes in America. She spent 10 years collecting portraits from each tribe. It is a very beautiful book and interesting. It kind of reminds me of a book Dan gave me when I was in college. It was of beautiful portraits from around the world. At the end of the day, we are all on the same planet, ya know? Let's do better, be welcoming, and stay curious. <3 Have a great week!
I wish there was more discussion where people could see the logic behind someone's argument. The US does have an identity. It simply is not a white Christian hero identity that many of us were raised on. Personally, I am a big fan of the melting pot. Yesterday I went to an amazing Indian Food festival. People shared their food, their dances, their holidays, etc. My kids loved seeing the beautiful clothes and how they celebrate. My children also celebrate Christmas and we read the Bible stories even though I do not believe in God. Even if I was Christian, I would still seek out others and their journey. I think it is vital to being empathetic and to understanding a community is made of many voices. The fact is, Trump doesn't have to be cruel. Yoram and that whole movement are taking away choice and freedom from others because they want everyone to be like them. Simply, it is racist. They believe they are being replaced and they feel weakened because we have tried to raise less heard voices up from a level of silence. Now that they heard whispers of others they don't feel like they have enough and they want everyone else to go back to hiding and being ignored. Examples: telling gay people to go back in the closet. Getting enraged seeing a flag fly that isn't the America flag. Getting upset when they see a Muslim praying. Being upset about books with two moms or two dads. Screaming when multiple people are speaking something that is not English.
Why can't they let their beliefs be equal to the thousands of other beliefs? It is because they think they are superior. Me, I don't see my culture or non-belief as superior. I get riled up when I see injustice. Are we equal or not? The measure of democracy is the fight for equality. Votes. A chance to speak. None of it is equal. Our government is corrupted by money and outside interests. It is hard to say anything is equal and fair after the passing of Citizens United, especially. But I will be loud and try my hardest to keep fighting for fairness.
Luke, I appreciate your kind heart and your curious mind. Thank you for thoughtfully sharing. I appreciate it very much. It is brave to be vulnerable about controversial topics. I think men especially are in a difficult place. I think loving one another and having a listening heart slow to anger does make a man great. Approaching things that are unexpected and different with curiosity instead of fear would make for a much more peaceful America.
I relate to that so much, about loving the melting pot. I felt a little bit like the surprised pikachu meme when it suddenly became a controversial idea and I've felt like that ever since. At times I've felt so different from everyone, that might be the default feeling for a homeschool kid, but I actually think it is the default feeling for humanity. Maybe we solve it by either trying harder to be like everyone around us or embracing the difference, in ourselves and others. And I've found that when I do, it is never as much as I initially thought, someone often says "me too", which is what I hear in your comment. It puts the wind in my sails, thank you.
So many of my richest memories come from cultural experiences, and this is still a place where it is easy to find them, and I love that about this place. I went to a Native American celebration over the holidays that was beautiful beyond my words. I think that spirit is just plain good and it will find a way to reaffirm itself among us, it is undeniable. And we can do our part simply by being there to experience it all and talking about it. Your kids are so lucky to have a mom like you.
That's so neat you got to see a Native American celebration. I bought a book recently called Project 562. The person who wrote it traveled around to try to photograph the remaining tribes in America. She spent 10 years collecting portraits from each tribe. It is a very beautiful book and interesting. It kind of reminds me of a book Dan gave me when I was in college. It was of beautiful portraits from around the world. At the end of the day, we are all on the same planet, ya know? Let's do better, be welcoming, and stay curious. <3 Have a great week!