Three Stories of Bravery

#1
There has been increased coverage lately about the escalating crime in cities throughout Mexico, predominanly carried out by drug traffickers. Journalists have faced increased pressure to remain silent; reporters and law enforcement officers have been beheaded, shot at, threatened, and more. Yet, many persist in bringing this stories to an international audience and in continuing to work toward safety for their country. I find this sort of determination and commitment incredibly inspirational and humbling... and when I'm praying, these are some of the folks for whom I hope protection will remain and change occur.

#2
I heard an incredibly beautiful and moving story on NPR today about a guitarist who developed such a strong tremor disorder, he had to stop playing. Yet, in that bizarre and twisting fate-like gift of synchronicity the universe sometimes provides, he discovered an mbira on a bus he had been driving for a group of African performers touring the Northwest, and his musical life was reborn. I am a big fan of Ayub Ogada, and Crandell's style is similarly playful, creative, and melodically transcedental. I was really taken by his ability and willingness to immerse himself into this new world in order to reimagine his life as an artist. I think people are often phoenix-like in their resilience, and such triumphs should always be celebrated.

#3
I have posted my thoughts before on gay marriage and the confusion, anger, and frustration I feel at the current attemps by some in society to discriminate against others on the basis of their orientation, sexuality, or gender... all of which are beautifully, frighteningly, wonderfully complicated and intricate things. A friend of mine sent me a link through facebook to a mini-musical created by Marc Shaiman and Adam Shankman. It's about Proposition 8, and even though Prop 8 was passed, it gives me hope such a thing is still being circulated, and that some people might watch it and have a second thought or two about their biases or beliefs in this particular area. It's tongue-in-cheek, to be sure, but there are some great points in there about hypocrisy and the decision to treat one another with love and respect. Such a simple lesson, and yet we seem to struggle with it so much collectively.

A Few Thoughts on Same-Sex Marriage

It's incredibly upsetting to me that Prop 8 passed in California recently. I'm glad gay marriage is now legal in Connecticut, but it seems this issue is the latest in a series of several that seems to divide the country quite sharply.

I don't quite understand how it's not a civil rights issue, as some people suggest, nor do I see how a case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court and possibly not be ruled in favor of gay couples seeking equal rights under the law. But hey - plenty of things have happened in the last 8 years that have left me shaking my head, and we're still working with a court slanted right in a way that often stuns the liberal progressives among us.

In the meantime, I remain so very thrilled for those friends who have managed to legally and formally tie the knot. I wish everyone could, and I wish those unions would be recognized in all states. My hope is, it's just a matter of time. That in 5 to 10 years the prejudice and discrimination that leads to things like "civil unions" and Prop 8 will strike us as so obviously biased and oppressive we will be stunned at our inability to live up to the philosophy of social justice and human advocacy upon which this country was founded.

Such beautiful language and such an important vision. It's worth fighting for.