Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

I know that caring about the world today, with climate change being ignored and ethnic nationalism on the rise, and rising debt and stagnant wages, it's hard not to fall into compassion fatigue and depression.

And even when we know that self-care is important, and we have to take time out to make sure we spend energy on things that bring us joy, it's hard to follow the exhortation to "Don't Worry. Be Happy," (or the 12th Doctor's parting words: "Laugh hard. Run fast. Be Kind") without feeling like we have to turn off our awareness first (nothing wrong with tuning out, occasionally, as long as you don't get stuck there, but I know sometimes, it's hard to quiet the chatter of the guilt weasels).

And that got me thinking about one of the many things I was taught as a little kid in physical therapy. One of the things about growing up with cerebral palsy (a from-birth developmental disorder of the brain, that affects the way a person moves and balances), is that I had to consciously learn to walk-- with verbal instructions on what body parts to move, and in what order, and everything.

Much of those lessons were frustrating, because they were more focused on apparent normalcy than actually getting things done. But one lesson has turned out to be most useful throughout my life, so it's the one thing I remember most. I figure there are a lot of people out there who never had it spelled out to them, because it didn't need to be. And so it's a truth that they've forgotten:

Your body follows the direction you're looking.

If you're tripping on the stairs, raise your head, and look at the landing above you -- not down at the lip of the stair tread that's snagging your toes. If you're stuck in a corner, and need to turn around, look in the direction you want to turn, before you try to move your feet.

So if this old world has gotten you down, and you need a break, but you can't bring yourself to just tune out, yet, try taking a few minutes each day to imagine the world in the future you're fighting for, where the vulnerable are protected, and everyone has access to clean water and fresh food, and a comfy bed, and the air is clean, and we are free to love whomever we choose.

And take a little vacation in that world for a while.

"I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one… And from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice.”

-- Theodore Parker, 19th Century Unitarian Minister and abolitionist.

"...let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."

-- Martin Luther King, Jr., 20th Century Baptist Minister and community organizer.

"It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day."

-- Barack Hussein Obama, 20th Century secular Community organizer, and 21st century president-elect of the United States.

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Two things struck me, this morning, as I was drifting to sleep after watching the election, and thinking about this passage of Obama's speech:

1. That he was citing great, progressive thinkers and activists from our past, and taking their ideas one step further. It's no longer our role to wait patiently for the arc of the moral universe (history) to bend for justice -- it is our job to reach out and make it bend toward justice.



2. When Obama was born into an interracial marriage in 1961, interracial marriage was illegal in 22 states. And the arguments against interracial marriages are basically the same as arguments about gay marriage.

I have no doubt that there are still people who are alive, who were watching the tv last night, thinking that Barack Obama should never have been born.

My hope is that "identity politics" can be a force for good, too, and seeing his face on the nightly news, and hearing his voice respected as the voice of America around the world will broaden the bigots' view of what a "real family" is. I mean, familiarity can breed contempt... but it can also help to evaporate squick, and the knee-jerk hatred that comes with it.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it does bend toward justice -- especially if we reach out collectively and pull it in that direction.

Same-sex marriage bans cannot, and will not, be long for this world.