I do not claim that the way I view the world or my connection to the divine is the only view or the on that it is the one that all must subscribe to. I am naive, I will admit that I still believe that every human being is born with the innate understanding of right and wrong. Hardwired with the understanding of common decency and how to treat their person.
Reality proved me wrong. We only have to look at the news or read the paper to see examples that disproved my assumption. I just finished watching a remarkable film, The Stoning of Soraya M.. If you have not seen this film or read the book it’s based on, it will enrich your personal humanity. You can stream it on Netflix.
We discuss diversity and it is in fashion to discuss prejudice, racism, homophobia, but we really fail to acknowledge the things that stare at us in the face. Many of us never really care about another person’s existence enough to look past our backyards, or we choose not to because we are afraid of what we will see. Ask most Americans what life is like for someone in another part of the world, or hell, even in the next town over, and they will not be able to give you an answer. We are arrogant, selfish and petty.
Woman and girls are debased, beaten, paid less, raped, stoned, assaulted, abused and dis honored every hour of everyday. We don’t talk about it. In fact, without even knowing, our actions may even condone it. Many of these actions occur in the name of God, which only serves to enrage me. My Divine would never condone hurting or dishonoring another living creature and no one had been able to explain why their version of a high power finds it justified.
Tonight as I watched Soraya M. being stoned, I realized that I have chosen to ignore what was done to her, and in turn, ignore the countless women who have had their voices taken away from them and replaced by that of a man. I will make the assumption that the majority of us would not be who we are today, with out the love and support of a woman in our lives. We have created a society where woman are responsible for teaching children compassion, caring and love. I am not saying that this is right, but I do assert that men are historically the group that serves as oppressor.
I hope that we begin to think. Hold ourselves accountable and learn. This is the root of change. Tonight I offer up these words in honor of Soraya M. and for the betterment of all sentient beings. Things will not change, until we acknowledge that change is necessary.
