It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Also on Friday, a group of young people sat in a circle and discussed the importance of the Gettysburg Address as well as parallel themes found in Lincoln's text and the classic novel A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
I'm disheartened and disgusted by the actions of those teens in Washington, D.C. -- actions that were recorded and shared millions of times. I'm praying that they each have a change of heart, that they take ownership for their individual actions in a mob setting, that the adults in their lives examine why those boys thought it was OK to display blatant racism.
It's important to remember that those young men in Washington, on a field trip from Kentucky, do not speak for all young people in the United States.
I find solace in the words of my sixth-graders, who spoke eloquently Friday about courage and freedom, faith and love, unity and civil rights.
A student in my morning class pointed to the nonviolent leadership of Gandhi. A student in my afternoon class quoted John 3:16 as an example of sacrificial love. Students in both classes asked questions based on research, listened to one another and sometimes even disagreed, but always with civility.
These are 11- and 12-year-olds who together represent most every major world religion. Many speak a second or even third language at home. Their parents subscribe to varying worldviews.
Yet they are able to come together with common goals -- to learn, to show what they've learned and to learn even more from one another.
My heart is heavy when I watch the video of the boys who surrounded Nathan Phillips. Yet I know that love is stronger than fear or hate or selfishness. I continue to place my faith in God, Christ and the Holy Spirit while respecting and honoring that not everyone does the same.
I continue to pray that all of God's children acknowledge that we are not required to look alike, think alike, sound alike, pray alike or worship alike. We are called to love one another and protect one another without qualification.
My hope lies in the children who, regardless of and because of their differences, are able to share, listen and consider new points of view.
 |
| My morning class, discussing the Gettysburg Address and A Wrinkle in Time |
The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy that recognizes the dignity and worth of all of God’s children. The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy that allows judgment to run down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy of brotherhood, the normalcy of true peace, the normalcy of justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment