For more insight on Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction at the close of the Inauguration last Tuesday, check out Gerald Britt's post here.
Gerald's so right.
So much to remember of which most of us have never been aware.
Those who do remember, those who were there, those who felt the pain, and were touched by the hate and the death, those are the people to whom I will give my undivided attention for as long as they will allow me to be taught.
Certainly, these teachers must not be dismissed in haste as if all is forgotten and well.
Thanks, Gerald.
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Good post, Gerald.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for an explanation of what was offensive about these words, other than "if you can't see it for yourself, you'll just never get it."
I would cut this 87 year old man some slack. The occasion of the benediction, delivered at the inauguration of an African-American POTUS, leavens the selected verb tense. Only in America.
ReplyDeleteanon 1237 - go back to the posts yesterday and read why people were offended. It is not that you don't get it;rather, it is that you don't want to get it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful quote.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I think what there is "to get" should not be counted as worth getting. Here is another part of Rev. Lowery's prayer:
ReplyDelete"Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream." What there is to "get" in the prayer is a powerful challenge to the kingdom of this world, which I've always assumed is the work of the people of God.
Larry, I would like to e-mail something to you if you'd give me your e-mail address. I know you probably don't like receiving lots of e-mails - maybe you could delete after you sent it to me.
ReplyDeletebelinda, not a problem: ljames@centraldallasministries.org.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:11:
ReplyDeleteI was apart of that 'discussion'. All I saw was some version of "if you can't see it for yourself, you'll just never get it." No one really explained it.
But, Larry, you're right, whatever it is (which I strongly suspect is prickly sensitivity to anyone even raising the subject of race) may not be worth getting.
After having a day to think about this. I have come to the conclusion that It was probably all a much to do about nothing. If I live to be 87, which is highly unlikely due to the genes passed down from my family, I hope people will cut me some slack. Come to think of it, I am only fifty and I wish some of you would cut me some slack. I really do come to this forum to learn, and have been made to feel comfortable by Larry to comment when the feeling hits me. God bless you all and my God bless our new President.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for your candor, RC, and your willingness to reconsider an initial opinion. It seems all too rare on this blog as well as in today's hyper-partisan politics in general.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a powerful prayer by someone who has seen a lifetime of injustice. He pulled together several pieces of poetry, my favorite being from Lift Every Voice, which is an incredible hymn.
ReplyDelete