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I have been thinking for a long time about what would become of whiteness in a culture which longs for “place”, and which proclaims that the entire new world is “Native Land”. This is a wild way to look at the world. And to be sure, it is the default way in which humans have looked at land and people for time immemorial. The Jews vs the Palestinians. The Ukrainians vs the Russians, the Pakistanis vs the Indians, the Chinese vs the Japanese (and these groups have a highly shared genetic, linguistic and cultural history).
Association based on immutable characteristics is the way of the Old Testament. This is the struggle of Abram turning into Abraham, to have a lineage, a progeny which can perpetuate itself into the future in synergy with the “land of milk and honey”, and in opposition to all those darn Amelkites and Philistines (although even in the biblical story their shared lineage is known).
Jesus came to speak a more fundamental truth.
That we are all connected. That we are all children of God’s, the Jew and the Samaritan alike. To love your neighbor as yourself, and to put the needs of your enemy above your own.
To be sure, Ms. Morris’ view is a perversion of the gospel. It is a perversion of the meek shall inherit the earth. That those with claims of oppression are at the top of the hierarchy. Perhaps, but that is for the good Lord to judge, not for us.
In dealing with the this twisting of the gospel let us hold fast to our values and traditions and not respond in anger, but in humility, kindness and gentleness. Jesus taught us that self-sacrifice is the greatest tool for defeating evil.
There was a day when such hateful and disrespectful rhetoric would have warranted tar, feathers and a one way ticket out of town. Unfortunately, most Vermonters (and Texans) tolerate the angry babble to the point where it infects public policy. However, in a way, I feel sorry for these delusional people. They have no sense of personal identity or place, they possess angry, resentful and unhappy spirits, have been poorly educated (even though they may have a degree from a "prestigious university"), and lack the wisdom that comes from being morally centered. They are like sailboats whose captains have been thrown overboard in the midst of the storm, fated to break apart on the rocky shores. It is easy to resent and despise these people, and for good reason, since they are often loud-mouthed bullies. And for certain, we must courageously stay the course in thwarting their perverse agendas. But, we must also pray that they find salvation, peace and grace which, like us, they desperately need.
Thanks again for another great article. Kind of makes me wish I knew Vermont better than I do--and that from a Texan.
None of us ask to be born. We are what G-D made us to be. There is no fault, no guilt, nor pride.
We earn what we work for, we inherit what is passed on to us.
Yes, our human world is challenged too often by the pursuit of unfair advantage. This currency is taken unfairly and given unfairly, often for gain. Is Kia Morris attempting to promote and continue a quest for the furtherance of unfair advantage given by law over 50 years ago?
Can people like this stay in Burlington please?
I have been thinking for a long time about what would become of whiteness in a culture which longs for “place”, and which proclaims that the entire new world is “Native Land”. This is a wild way to look at the world. And to be sure, it is the default way in which humans have looked at land and people for time immemorial. The Jews vs the Palestinians. The Ukrainians vs the Russians, the Pakistanis vs the Indians, the Chinese vs the Japanese (and these groups have a highly shared genetic, linguistic and cultural history).
Association based on immutable characteristics is the way of the Old Testament. This is the struggle of Abram turning into Abraham, to have a lineage, a progeny which can perpetuate itself into the future in synergy with the “land of milk and honey”, and in opposition to all those darn Amelkites and Philistines (although even in the biblical story their shared lineage is known).
Jesus came to speak a more fundamental truth.
That we are all connected. That we are all children of God’s, the Jew and the Samaritan alike. To love your neighbor as yourself, and to put the needs of your enemy above your own.
To be sure, Ms. Morris’ view is a perversion of the gospel. It is a perversion of the meek shall inherit the earth. That those with claims of oppression are at the top of the hierarchy. Perhaps, but that is for the good Lord to judge, not for us.
In dealing with the this twisting of the gospel let us hold fast to our values and traditions and not respond in anger, but in humility, kindness and gentleness. Jesus taught us that self-sacrifice is the greatest tool for defeating evil.
There was a day when such hateful and disrespectful rhetoric would have warranted tar, feathers and a one way ticket out of town. Unfortunately, most Vermonters (and Texans) tolerate the angry babble to the point where it infects public policy. However, in a way, I feel sorry for these delusional people. They have no sense of personal identity or place, they possess angry, resentful and unhappy spirits, have been poorly educated (even though they may have a degree from a "prestigious university"), and lack the wisdom that comes from being morally centered. They are like sailboats whose captains have been thrown overboard in the midst of the storm, fated to break apart on the rocky shores. It is easy to resent and despise these people, and for good reason, since they are often loud-mouthed bullies. And for certain, we must courageously stay the course in thwarting their perverse agendas. But, we must also pray that they find salvation, peace and grace which, like us, they desperately need.
Thanks again for another great article. Kind of makes me wish I knew Vermont better than I do--and that from a Texan.
UNITE ALL -- SHARED
So true, John.
None of us ask to be born. We are what G-D made us to be. There is no fault, no guilt, nor pride.
We earn what we work for, we inherit what is passed on to us.
Yes, our human world is challenged too often by the pursuit of unfair advantage. This currency is taken unfairly and given unfairly, often for gain. Is Kia Morris attempting to promote and continue a quest for the furtherance of unfair advantage given by law over 50 years ago?
Thanks for these tips! :)
;)