From Arizona to South Africa: Is there Hope in the World?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1aRD79-OoQ
Revolution begins with the self, in the self.
Toni Cade Bambara
Given the last six months world events—massive earthquake in Haiti, flooding in Nashville, killings in Palestine and Thailand, corrective rapes of lesbians in South Africa, Arizona legalized racial profiling law, oil spill that will forever effect the Gulf Coast, the lies about governmental accountability from Toyota to the Banking system, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan Tea Party embodied in Rand Paul—one wonders is there hope in the world. Is there ever a time when justice, fairness, and love reigns supreme?
I ask this because right now I feel overwhelmed by all the injustices in the world. My heart weeps. I desperately need to know that change can happen. Not the type of change that jingles in your pocket or the type of change President Obama promised, but I am talking about the type of change that Gandhi and other spiritual leaders speak of . . . a world of peace . . . a world of hope . . . a world that cherish differences . . . a world that does not colonize and enslave with market ideas . . . a world free of oppression. I like trees who need soil to grow need to know that the world can change and that there is hope . . . hope in this godforsaken world of ours.
So, today I leave you with a remixed version of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. It is written and performed by Queen Godis. Honestly, when I watch this video I feel a sense of renewed hope because the video embodies art, children, love, inner reflection, death and rebirth, laughing, spirituality, accountability, communal responsibility . . . all the things our current world is in desperate need of.
Michael song, “I’m talking with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways,” so, what are you doing today to change you ways and make the world a better place?
Fallon, thank you for this provocative and timely CALL TO ACTION…I frequently struggle with feeling hopeless/powerless in this world… but then I reMember that we can’t EVER, EVER give up or give in…It’s horrible but I wonder if it’s worse than in 1492 (in this hemisphere)… This is NOT to condone the horror and atrocities in the world. It’s to remind myself that struggle has been a constant and we can’t ever give up the good fight.
We who believe in freedom, peace, truth, justice, compassion, LOVE must continue to forge ahead … We must also WALK the TALK as opposed to consistently TALKING the TALK… I, too, am inspired by Queen Godis’ remix of Michael Jackson’s powerful “Man in the Mirror”…In fact, it has recently become my anthem… Toni Cade Bambara used to always say to me “We’re winning, Aishah!”… I couldn’t and can’t always see it but it’s posts such as yours which are reminders that poco a poco/little by little we can and we are making a difference. Thank you Sister for this powerful message on this Good (for me) Friday.
Fallon, thank you for this provocative and timely CALL TO ACTION…I frequently struggle with feeling hopeless/powerless in this world… but then I reMember that we can’t EVER, EVER give up or give in…It’s horrible but I wonder if it’s worse than in 1492 (in this hemisphere)… This is NOT to condone the horror and atrocities in the world. It’s to remind myself that struggle has been a constant and we can’t ever give up the good fight.
We who believe in freedom, peace, truth, justice, compassion, LOVE must continue to forge ahead … We must also WALK the TALK as opposed to consistently TALKING the TALK… I, too, am inspired by Queen Godis’ remix of Michael Jackson’s powerful “Man in the Mirror”…In fact, it has recently become my anthem… Toni Cade Bambara used to always say to me “We’re winning, Aishah!”… I couldn’t and can’t always see it but it’s posts such as yours which are reminders that poco a poco/little by little we can and we are making a difference. Thank you Sister for this powerful message on this Good (for me) Friday.
@Aishah,
You know sometimes I can’t feel but hopeless and helpless at all the things that happen in the world. Within this last year, I have wept many nights thinking about how unjust the world is.
It has been times when my sister was near death because she does not have access to health care. I weep for the many girls/women raped and beaten because they are woman, gay, and/or poor. Sometimes I cannot stop the tears they flow like torrents.
A part of me wishes that i did not feel things so intensely because I become overwhelmed and think all is hopeless. I know these struggles have been ongoing, but it does not take away the pain of it all.
Yes, little by little the world will change . . . that is my hope sis.
Thank you for your words!
@Aishah,
You know sometimes I can’t feel but hopeless and helpless at all the things that happen in the world. Within this last year, I have wept many nights thinking about how unjust the world is.
It has been times when my sister was near death because she does not have access to health care. I weep for the many girls/women raped and beaten because they are woman, gay, and/or poor. Sometimes I cannot stop the tears they flow like torrents.
A part of me wishes that i did not feel things so intensely because I become overwhelmed and think all is hopeless. I know these struggles have been ongoing, but it does not take away the pain of it all.
Yes, little by little the world will change . . . that is my hope sis.
Thank you for your words!
Dear Fallon:
I found your blog by sheer chance–I, like you’ve expressed, and many others, have been grieving the condition of our collective cultures in the world, especially in America, where shocking violent images are not only condoned, but encouraged. I was so moved by your expressions, that were so similar to how I’ve felt for a long while. I think we are all helped by knowing that others truly understand our emotions, and care. Your writing is an amazing contribution to the endeavor of creating “that healthier culture of mutual respect” that you’ve described. This crisis is the very one that calls for the adage “It takes a village”, and I have been encouraged (as badly as I’ve felt for a long time) by your words of depth and caring. You are a gifted writer, and I wish the best for you. In peace and hope. Robin
Dear Fallon:
I found your blog by sheer chance–I, like you’ve expressed, and many others, have been grieving the condition of our collective cultures in the world, especially in America, where shocking violent images are not only condoned, but encouraged. I was so moved by your expressions, that were so similar to how I’ve felt for a long while. I think we are all helped by knowing that others truly understand our emotions, and care. Your writing is an amazing contribution to the endeavor of creating “that healthier culture of mutual respect” that you’ve described. This crisis is the very one that calls for the adage “It takes a village”, and I have been encouraged (as badly as I’ve felt for a long time) by your words of depth and caring. You are a gifted writer, and I wish the best for you. In peace and hope. Robin