Memorialize this, America:
On the Friday that starts this Memorial Day weekend, I am less than enthused by today’s news. It is still full of rancor and fractiousness against other countries and each other here in America, when we are coming out of a dark time after Covid-19.
Our president aims to keep America exceptional by threatening to keep us in an arms race where we can just blow each other countries to oblivion without being a part of global pacts and treaties. A typical response from a person who does not understand how to honor ANY agreement he has entered into in private or public life.
https://www.democracynow.org/2020/5/22/headlines/us_threatens_to_spend_adversaries_into_oblivion_in_new_nuclear_arms_race_as_trump_withdraws_from_arms_treaty?utm_source=Democracy+Now%21&utm_campaign=a828ba35fe-Daily_Digest_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fa2346a853-a828ba35fe-191897909
We are still a nation of racists, struggling to maintain a semblance of Aryan blood in our communities by shooting down anything which moves that is not white!
https://www.democracynow.org/2020/5/22/third_person_arrested_ahmaud_arbery_murder
Covid 19 is still a threat to other countries on a large scale, yet we in America MUST go back out into the world without care because we truly believe that our exceptionalism (and perhaps God) will keep us safe from harm. Ask these folks in India how they feel about their God and country keeping them safe.
https://www.democracynow.org/2020/5/22/p_sainath_rural_india_coronavirus_neoliberal
To be Shiva or sit Shiva that is the question!
Shiva as a god-figure in India represents the universe moving into action to destroy evil and protect the world. Shiva also represents the highest quality of compassion and understanding for humanity in a god-form.
To sit Shiva is an orthodox Jewish tradition. We sit and mourn the deceased for a week without venturing out into the world as we ponder the meaning of the deceased’s life and (hopefully) pay respects to God through Torah.
As you memorialize those who have given their lives for war or Covid this weekend, let’s remember the ultimate sacrifice:
PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DIE IN SERVICE TO SOMETHING GREATER.
Whether the loss is through war or disease it carries the same impact, tearing a hole in our collective well-being, leaving in its wake endless pain and suffering for the families of the deceased and their communities.
There is always a remedy, friends, to war and disease.
We just have to make an exceptional promise to keep each other best interests at heart for the common good.
May you find peace in knowing you are still here.