I have to admit it; I have always been rather nutty around people who have established a reputation for themselves. An example of my lack of finesse occurred in the early '90's when Kimberly, our daughter, was a student at the University of Southern California. After attending a screening with free tickets to an Oliver Stone produced film, I just happened to run into the man himself while trying to find a bathroom. All I could do was to sputter and stumble through a sentence, "I like your work." A similar incident occurred last Thursday night downtown in Little Rock.
The occasion was the appearance of poet Robert Morgan for a reading. I have liked Morgan's work for many years since I taught both Modern Southern Literature and Contemporary Literature. Many Southern writers and filmmakers feature some of my favorite images: drinking sweet tea on porches, feeling cool breezes blowing through one's hair, eating peaches and fried chicken, and admiring sturdy oak trees and magnolia blossoms. My favorite poem of his is one entitled "White Autumn," in which he speaks of a nearly 100 year-old woman who dies in her favorite chair surrounded by coffee, cookies, and her favorite books.
Since I arrived early for the event, as usual for me, I was startled to hear the librarian say to me, "This is Robert Morgan." I turned around to see him there beside me in person only to once again lose my composure. I began sweating profusely under what I perceived as extremely hot lights shining directly in my face (reminiscent of Albert Brooks in the film Broadcast News), my right eye began to twitch repeatedly, and my head kept bobbing up and down rapidly in ascent to everything he was saying. He was gracious, however, and did not seem to notice.
Later, he read my favorite poem.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Creator Therapy
I was watching Bill Moyers' "American Journal" on PBS last week when I heard him interviewing writer Maxine Hong Kingston about her latest project. It was to edit a book written by veterans and peace activists entitled Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace. In the interview she spoke of the process of editing and writing as being therapeutic. It was therapeutic not only for the contributors but also for herself. Evidently, she had lost her house to a wildfire some months before and equated the experience of walking through the charred ruins to that of a bombed village. I started again to think of the relationship between the creator and the created, which of necessity, must be quite complicated. As I thought of God Himself, I began to wonder: Did even God need to write the Bible as therapy for Himself?
As Christians we believe we are made in His image. Could He have also experienced some type of post traumatic stress syndrome after the big event in heaven when Satan was cast out, along with his demons? After all, if having one's compatriots turn against the Creator would not have created stress, I am not sure what event would. After the creation of Adam and Eve, would He have also experienced stress when the proposed fellowship did not go exactly as planned either? We all know the story: Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and Adam followed her lead. They too were cast away from the Garden of Eden.
Depending upon one's theological belief, we take these Old Testament events either to be literal or metaphorical. Regardless of interpretation, however, it is clear that writing does lead to psychological healing. It opens the door into the recesses of one's mind to explore the answers to life's big questions, especially regarding the fairness of this world. The Bible is God's writing to the world to explain who He is and the logic behind His plan to send Jesus as the world's Savior. I believe it could perhaps also be His vindication in many ways of His own psychological needs.
As Christians we believe we are made in His image. Could He have also experienced some type of post traumatic stress syndrome after the big event in heaven when Satan was cast out, along with his demons? After all, if having one's compatriots turn against the Creator would not have created stress, I am not sure what event would. After the creation of Adam and Eve, would He have also experienced stress when the proposed fellowship did not go exactly as planned either? We all know the story: Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and Adam followed her lead. They too were cast away from the Garden of Eden.
Depending upon one's theological belief, we take these Old Testament events either to be literal or metaphorical. Regardless of interpretation, however, it is clear that writing does lead to psychological healing. It opens the door into the recesses of one's mind to explore the answers to life's big questions, especially regarding the fairness of this world. The Bible is God's writing to the world to explain who He is and the logic behind His plan to send Jesus as the world's Savior. I believe it could perhaps also be His vindication in many ways of His own psychological needs.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Rosie and Jimmy
We have all been following the news coverage regarding the controversial comments made by former President Jimmy Carter and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell. While President Carter has tried to smooth over his comment that the Bush administration is "the worst in history," Rosie has been unapologetic for her insinuation that Americans are themselves terrorists for the deaths of innocent Iraqi citizens. I have been wondering, however, if Jimmy and Rosie represent most of us these days who are taking the lid off political correctness and saying what everyone else is feeling but reluctant to say publicly.
I remember asking our daughter while she was a student at the University of Southern California in the early '90's, "What is political correctness?" It was a term she was using in her phone conversations with me but one which had not yet made it to Arkansas. To someone who had been reared in Mississippi during the days of segregation, the concept made perfect sense to me. Why hurt someone by stereotyping or labeling a whole group of people?
Today I see that we are in a reactionary period against political correctness. The conservatives especially seem to hate the term and are intent on going back to the past in their political discourse. Even the liberals are joining them. No longer do we seek to be diplomatic with one another; we simply blurt out what we think regardless of facts, or even logical reason, to support our positions. I cannot see that this form of discourse can help solve the world's problems. We owe it to ourselves and others to be reasonable.
I remember asking our daughter while she was a student at the University of Southern California in the early '90's, "What is political correctness?" It was a term she was using in her phone conversations with me but one which had not yet made it to Arkansas. To someone who had been reared in Mississippi during the days of segregation, the concept made perfect sense to me. Why hurt someone by stereotyping or labeling a whole group of people?
Today I see that we are in a reactionary period against political correctness. The conservatives especially seem to hate the term and are intent on going back to the past in their political discourse. Even the liberals are joining them. No longer do we seek to be diplomatic with one another; we simply blurt out what we think regardless of facts, or even logical reason, to support our positions. I cannot see that this form of discourse can help solve the world's problems. We owe it to ourselves and others to be reasonable.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Goliath and David - Show of Force
If we have been watching television at all lately, we have noticed the show of force of the American naval ships in the waters near Iran. The war talk accelerates on both sides. Does this show of force work? If some instances, I would say "yes," most notably during World War II before the battle for the island of Iwo Jima. Clint Eastwood's film, Letters from Iwo Jima, a few months back features a compelling scene in which a young Japanese soldier emerges from a cave to empty latrine pots only to discover a massive fleet of American ships waiting in the water. The "shock and awe" power must have been overwhelming to the psyches of those men. They knew before the battle began that they had lost.
Today we are realizing that America's show of force is perhaps not so intimidating to our enemies as in the past. We remember the biblical story of Goliath and David. Goliath's show of force with his size and braggadocio must have also been intimidating to young David. Yet David simply filled his slingshot with small pebbles and aimed squarely for Goliath's forehead. We all know the end of that story.
I have said from the beginning of the war talk about Iraq (2002) we are in a war we cannot win by the show of force. It is a force that does not intimidate the enemy. The terrorists simply find new ways to kill and maim and undermine our confidence. As long as men and women are willing to blow themselves up for the sake of being martyrs, the war will continue. A show of force against an enemy who does not wear a uniform or play by the rules is destined to fail.
Today we are realizing that America's show of force is perhaps not so intimidating to our enemies as in the past. We remember the biblical story of Goliath and David. Goliath's show of force with his size and braggadocio must have also been intimidating to young David. Yet David simply filled his slingshot with small pebbles and aimed squarely for Goliath's forehead. We all know the end of that story.
I have said from the beginning of the war talk about Iraq (2002) we are in a war we cannot win by the show of force. It is a force that does not intimidate the enemy. The terrorists simply find new ways to kill and maim and undermine our confidence. As long as men and women are willing to blow themselves up for the sake of being martyrs, the war will continue. A show of force against an enemy who does not wear a uniform or play by the rules is destined to fail.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Unfaltering Faith
This past week I was surfing television channels when I encountered a special on PBS from Independent Lens. I was ready to continue my journey upward to the other seventy channels or so when I became intrigued by two parallel stories about Jehovah's Witnesses. In my theological training of the past, I had always been taught that this group was a cult and, therefore, to be avoided at all costs. Now that I have seen this special, however, I have developed a new respect for their unwavering faith.
One of the stories featured a European Jew and Holocaust survivor from the concentration camps. He, and many of his fellow prisoners, lost all faith in God due to their circumstances--being imprisoned and killed without cause. He was located next to a group of Jehovah's Witnesses who were offered an opportunity by Hitler's soldiers to be freed if they would but renounce their stand on war. Being pacifists, they refused to do so. As a result of this unfaltering faith in the goodness of God, in spite of horrific circumstances, this European Jew converted to Jehovah's Witnesses.
The second story featured a Jehovah's Witness who was 24 and in need of a liver transplant. Of course, a Jehovah's Witness cannot accept blood transfusions, as part of his or her faith. The dilemma was unmistakable. Where could he find a hospital that would do a liver transplant and promise not to use additional blood? The answer came from the USC hospital in southern California. They agreed to do the surgery as part of an experimental procedure. The hospital, of course, could gain greatly if the procedure worked because of the threat of AIDS-infected blood that all hospitals struggle with. The procedure was a success for both donor father and recipient son. This family also had unfaltering faith.
Most of us who fall somewhat on the liberal side of religious and political thought tend to view uncompromising attitudes of the religious right in a negative light. This program, however, challenged me to see otherwise. Perhaps, just perhaps, unfaltering faith such as this can actually result in peace and love, not war and hatred. As fundamentalists, it seems the choice is theirs to make.
One of the stories featured a European Jew and Holocaust survivor from the concentration camps. He, and many of his fellow prisoners, lost all faith in God due to their circumstances--being imprisoned and killed without cause. He was located next to a group of Jehovah's Witnesses who were offered an opportunity by Hitler's soldiers to be freed if they would but renounce their stand on war. Being pacifists, they refused to do so. As a result of this unfaltering faith in the goodness of God, in spite of horrific circumstances, this European Jew converted to Jehovah's Witnesses.
The second story featured a Jehovah's Witness who was 24 and in need of a liver transplant. Of course, a Jehovah's Witness cannot accept blood transfusions, as part of his or her faith. The dilemma was unmistakable. Where could he find a hospital that would do a liver transplant and promise not to use additional blood? The answer came from the USC hospital in southern California. They agreed to do the surgery as part of an experimental procedure. The hospital, of course, could gain greatly if the procedure worked because of the threat of AIDS-infected blood that all hospitals struggle with. The procedure was a success for both donor father and recipient son. This family also had unfaltering faith.
Most of us who fall somewhat on the liberal side of religious and political thought tend to view uncompromising attitudes of the religious right in a negative light. This program, however, challenged me to see otherwise. Perhaps, just perhaps, unfaltering faith such as this can actually result in peace and love, not war and hatred. As fundamentalists, it seems the choice is theirs to make.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
The Dental Dilemma
I have to admit that I have been blessed throughout my life by the ability to go to a dentist on a regular basis. Some are not so fortunate. Over the past two days, the city of Little Rock has allowed one of his most public of buildings, the Robinson Center (normally a place for concerts and recitals), to be the site of a makeshift dental clinic for those in need of dental services. The outpouring of people to the Center, many waiting in line for hours and 1,000 turned away at the end of the day, highlights the need for dental care for the poor as well as quality health care.
I remember my days as a young girl growing up in Greenville, Mississippi, daughter of an absentee father and a waitress (a hard-working young mother striving to make ends meet). Money was so tight that a .05 Coke was a treat to be bought across the alley at the small neighborhood grocery store. When my sister Judy and I needed to go to the dentist, however, a kind-hearted one named Dr. Reese took care of us, knowing that our mother would need to pay on credit for a number of months. He often said to her, "Mrs. Sims, I know that you will pay me when you can."
Those days of the 1950's ended quite some time ago. Now all dental offices (as well as physicians' offices) have the perfunctory sign up front as one enters the building, "Full payment is required for services today." Having experienced a toothache once in a while during childhood, I cannot begin to understand the pain that many who are unable to afford to go to a dentist experience on an everyday basis.
I applaud the many dental professionals and volunteers who went together to provide two free days of dental work to the hundreds they were able to serve. We must, however, continue to seek solutions to the high costs of dental and medical care for those who can least afford to pay.
I remember my days as a young girl growing up in Greenville, Mississippi, daughter of an absentee father and a waitress (a hard-working young mother striving to make ends meet). Money was so tight that a .05 Coke was a treat to be bought across the alley at the small neighborhood grocery store. When my sister Judy and I needed to go to the dentist, however, a kind-hearted one named Dr. Reese took care of us, knowing that our mother would need to pay on credit for a number of months. He often said to her, "Mrs. Sims, I know that you will pay me when you can."
Those days of the 1950's ended quite some time ago. Now all dental offices (as well as physicians' offices) have the perfunctory sign up front as one enters the building, "Full payment is required for services today." Having experienced a toothache once in a while during childhood, I cannot begin to understand the pain that many who are unable to afford to go to a dentist experience on an everyday basis.
I applaud the many dental professionals and volunteers who went together to provide two free days of dental work to the hundreds they were able to serve. We must, however, continue to seek solutions to the high costs of dental and medical care for those who can least afford to pay.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
No. 17 and the Server
On Mother's Day, our eight-year-old granddaughter began a discussion at Red Lobster about the nature of waiting tables. She said, "Mom B, we're asking for a lot of extra things today. Do you think the server gets mad at us?" Her question reminded me of being at an IHOP three mornings before. Garlan had finished an overnight sleep study at the nearby medical center, and I had picked him up at 6:30. We decided to eat what we thought would be a quick breakfast and head home.
Since we are retired and have a very leisure schedule to keep, we did not mind it when our server (a tall anorexic-looking young woman) dawdled before she sat us at a nearby booth and then proceeded to make us a new pot of Decaf. We did notice, however, a disgruntled middle-aged man sitting in a booth a few yards away from us. As time went on, he continued to be ignored by the waitstaff until finally his patience gave way to a loud shout, "What does a person have to do to get a cup of coffee around here?" One of the other servers responded immediately to the other wait staff announcing, "No. 17 is yelling." A few minutes after receiving his coffee, No. 17 began screaming for cream. I thought it easier to get up and take him my remaining two packages of creamer rather than wait again for service. He thanked me profusely and later got up to get some silverware at another table which was wrapped in a napkin.
I think of the situation now because many of us have been on both ends of the spectrum: we have been servers who were new and confused by the requirements of a noisy clientele, and we have been customers who were annoyed by slow, almost impossible service. It seems to me, however, that as a society we can be governed by civility. Is it necessary to demand and shout, or can we quietly and simply put forth our requests?
I believe the latter is preferable. We can choose not to return to the establishment; we can write a letter to the management even if we choose. I am not sure yelling, however, ever accomplishes the purpose we intend. The answer I gave Caitlyn to her question on Sunday is to behave in a polite way, making your needs known, and saying "please" and "thank you." As we still say in the South, we catch more flies with honey than any other way. I only hope No. 17 and the server were able to go on with their day on a more positive note after the encounter.
Since we are retired and have a very leisure schedule to keep, we did not mind it when our server (a tall anorexic-looking young woman) dawdled before she sat us at a nearby booth and then proceeded to make us a new pot of Decaf. We did notice, however, a disgruntled middle-aged man sitting in a booth a few yards away from us. As time went on, he continued to be ignored by the waitstaff until finally his patience gave way to a loud shout, "What does a person have to do to get a cup of coffee around here?" One of the other servers responded immediately to the other wait staff announcing, "No. 17 is yelling." A few minutes after receiving his coffee, No. 17 began screaming for cream. I thought it easier to get up and take him my remaining two packages of creamer rather than wait again for service. He thanked me profusely and later got up to get some silverware at another table which was wrapped in a napkin.
I think of the situation now because many of us have been on both ends of the spectrum: we have been servers who were new and confused by the requirements of a noisy clientele, and we have been customers who were annoyed by slow, almost impossible service. It seems to me, however, that as a society we can be governed by civility. Is it necessary to demand and shout, or can we quietly and simply put forth our requests?
I believe the latter is preferable. We can choose not to return to the establishment; we can write a letter to the management even if we choose. I am not sure yelling, however, ever accomplishes the purpose we intend. The answer I gave Caitlyn to her question on Sunday is to behave in a polite way, making your needs known, and saying "please" and "thank you." As we still say in the South, we catch more flies with honey than any other way. I only hope No. 17 and the server were able to go on with their day on a more positive note after the encounter.
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