“Nothing New Under the Sun”

In the middle of the third century BC, one of the books in the old testament (HEB Scriptures) is Ecclesiastes, its author “Qoheleth” (HEB Preacher).  In it he writes there is “nothing new under the sun” (an early existential thought).  Therefore, there are really no surprises.  Human beings are going to behave as they always have.

A story about an African village, in which a young man agonized over the health of his fellow villagers is telling.  This young man was noted by a missionary as intelligent, insightful and deeply caring.  The missionary made arrangements that enabled the young man to go to college and medical school in England.  He returned years later to address the medical needs of his people and he was warmly greeted.  However, when he made it known that he had knowledge, experience and medicines that could greatly help the physical maladies of the villagers, he sat alone in his hut and no one came to him.  Perplexed by this, the young doctor looked for reasons and found that the villagers were still flocking to the local witch doctor for their ills, where the witch doctor would rattle monkey bones in a tortoise shell to make them well.  They did not get well, but habit, tradition, custom and stubbornness had soon “won the day.”  Ultimately the young doctor moved to London where he practices his skills among the poor.

Don’t be surprised, fellow progressives, about the recent election.  “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Black Lives Matter: A Commentary

The Black Lives Matter movement has caused a push back by many saying, in effect the obvious, “all lives matter.”  This is to counter by way of sarcasm, the movement.  Of course all lives matter and this simplistic, obvious and trite attempt to diminish the point of the movement hides what I suspect is the real underlying issue – simply and starkly stated – RACISM!

I think what impacts and causes anger among so many is that they know, feel and are aware – at some level -- that the Black Lives Matter Movement is really saying: “Black Lives Matter – as much as White Lives.”  Enter the racial animus of so many who will not openly admit that Blacks, and other Minorities are as good, smart and deserving as Whites.  This is just old (ages old) racism – all the more reason to support the movement because historically and even to the present, as a group, Blacks have been culturally, economically, academically and opportunistically un-equal – and this is a nation that constitutionally declares all are created equal.

Some time ago I was in a Mennonite thrift store perusing books.  I couldn’t help overhearing an elderly couple in conversation.  The woman, in particular, loudly complaining about the country’s state of affairs and made reference to that “thing” in the white house.  Barack Obama, a black man born, raised and educated in a country where he rose to the highest level of achievement and influence in the world.  This bigoted old woman refers to him as a “thing” – of course she has to dehumanize him since she is a racist.  And – forgive me here – given the store we were in, most likely calls herself a Christian.

I am a 77 year old white male who has been afforded the freedom and opportunities granted by this nation.  I am an imperfect man, along with being a grateful man.  I am liberal, pretty well educated, sometimes smart and many times not so smart.  I am one who has been deeply influenced by Judeo/Christian thought and insights, and especially by the man, Jesus of Nazareth.  I do not pretend that I can overcome prejudice, racism and ignorance, or the many other injustices that persist in our society.  Our president recently said that “ignorance is not a virtue!”  I agree.  Ignorance is also ill informed, unaware, insecure, immature -- and dangerous.  I do not believe that I would be able to change any of this – but what I can do, is to refuse to remain silent in its presence.