I think my actions are a function of my disbelief, denial, despair and the fact that like most Kiwis I am totally stunned by what has happened. It is hard to own such things let alone write about such evil.
I take these cruel events very personally for a couple of reasons. First I grew up in Christchurch. It is my Turangawaiwai ( The place where I stand / belong). Christchurch has endured two large earthquakes - now this. The second reason is that our daughter in law is a Muslim. Two of our three grandchildren are Muslim. We have a small personal window through which we can observe the effects of such a holocaust.
The larger window is harder to look through, because when we look we are seeing ourselves, our society, our collective values and beliefs along with our racism, bigotry, prejudices and fears. Aspects of our world view are challenged.
I don't think this is a time for too many words or too much hand wringing. It is a time for action both personal and political. We have seen this action in an emphatic outpouring of solidarity with the Muslim community. We have heard emphatic words regarding massive changes to New Zealand gun laws.
Lets hope that the much needed personal and political action endures, develops and matures. I pray that we don't just return to type within a few months. Lets walk the talk. Proof of our words of love and solidarity is revealed when these things are incarnated into the world through our actions.
8 comments:
Nicely put...
I take my cue from our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who has shown considerable wisdom in the manner in which she has responded on the behalf of us all to this horrendous event.
Well said, Alden, and thank you for posting. Thinking of you Kiwis because of this sad event.
Perhaps the Millenials are the generation to cure the human race of its racism and religious bigotry. Like you, one of my children married a Muslim, and my grandson will be growing up touched by that faith. Nothing like bringing these issues inside a family to make progress happen. Our other child married an African American so we have skin in that game as well.
If humans are going to endure we need to outgrow our tribal tendencies and join together worldwide to live more deftly in the web of life. There so much to do to. I wish the US national government were leading the way. Lots of us in California anyway are doing what we can.
Thank you very much Dan for your thoughts and comments, they are very much appreciated.
The old saying, "If you want to change the world then change yourself first" still holds true; and there is a "passive resistance" aspect to this change that is enshrined in one form of 'The Golden Rule' - that is: 'Don't do to others what you wouldn't like done to you' - the action is a with holding of action. Easier said than done (I fail all the time) but there is a great truth here.
Of course on other levels there are a large number of affirmative personal and political actions that we can take individually and collectively, but none of these will stick if there hasn't been a fundamental change from within.
Alden - as an outsider I have to say that I have been struck by the bearing and dignity of your PM.. even more so when I compare her to the sorry shower we have in at the moment..
Yes, you are correct Steve, her leadership has be exemplary. Her words have been clear and measured, her actions open, generous, caring and inclusive. In a time of great crisis her example has shone like a beacon - most Kiwis are very proud of our Prime Minister including some very hard bitten members of the parliamentary opposition who have praised her handling and leadership of this terrible situation.
Hi Alden,
Thanks for your post on this severe subject.
Coming back from being two weeks off-line in Cuba I was struck by the NZ news. Indeed you have a formidable prime minister.
Monday a week ago there was a shooting in Utrecht, NL. Killing 3 people. Possibly blood revenge. What a world are we living in! It is beyond comprehension.
Hopefully in NZ the time is there to take the much needed personal and political action, as you say.
Hi Ben, nice to hear from you.
It has been a harrowing time for us Kiwis. We have been isolated from the reality of this kind of terrorism and it has all come as something of a shock. But obviously no part of our planet is immune from these kinds of atrocities.
I read in the newspaper about the shooting in Utrecht of 3 people. Whether it is 3 or 50 the event is still a travesty with ripples that reach out in ever widening circles through family, friends and the larger community which leaves a deep sadness. There are no easy answers, we simply have to keep going having faith that ultimately good wins over evil.
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