America and a survivor named Sam
One summer, a 13 year old girl was given the opportunity to be part of an intensive study of the Holocaust with the University of FL. Spending her entire break as a 7th grader in an unexpected way: learning the intensive facts of horror that took place during one of the darkest times of modern history. She was paired with a 67 year old survivor, named Sam, who throughout their summer in the program together, shared his story. Memories of as a child watching his family be marched to gas chambers and countless mornings of waking up never knowing if he would see tomorrow.
But he did. Though marked by the pain of racism, and the evil that can reside in humanity. Amidst the trauma and injustice, Sam built a life full of kindness and forgiveness. So much so that he would spend an entire summer sharing his story so that maybe another generation wouldn't stand by.
This girl studied and wept and listened. Reading over the pages - desperately wondering where the world had been when such blatant racial prejudice and injustice was happening. Not the soldiers, but the church. The everyday people who could fight for them because their faith called them to show up, to higher places of peacemaking. Where were the politicians who believed in our shared human dignity? As she listened to Sam share his story, a vow thundered in her heart. "If something like this happens again, our generation will not stand by".
——
As I've watched and listened to the blatant prejudice and injustice that's present in our nation over the past week and a half, more so even in the last few years, my heart has so been heavy. I've felt furious and equally wanting to lament for potentially ever. But, none of those emotions cause any actual change when history takes account.
This last week and a half, I couldn't help but be reminded of my summer with Sam. Of how our current narratives echo of times past. It's the resounding pain and trauma I heard shared while I was in North Dakota last spring, during post Standing Rock support efforts. As we heard horrifying accounts of the treatment directed towards Native Americans and protestors, during the effort to protect their sacred land. (As well as our environment).
It's the same echo of pain in the voices of leaders I trust, of people willing to share their experience of racism and prejudice.
It's in the voices of activists and peace makers who are making every effort possible to seek reconciliation. Or in the tones of courages as some lead vital dialogue for change: example (https://www.thejusticeconference.com/)
I wonder what it will require to spark a revolution? One that ensures that a city square cannot be filled with Neo-Nazi, white supremacists because as a nation, the possibility of such such hatred is so far outside the realm of belief it cannot even have life within our borders.
I can never know the feeling experienced by many, but I know that we cannot stand by. I am not entirely sure what it will take, but monuments like the Lincoln Memorial remind me that change is possible. Calling the nations capitol home for less than two weeks has quickly reminded me that leaders will take steps to change history, and so will the everyday peacemakers. (though they may not currently be residing in office).
However possible, I want to learn and be engaged in building a nation that my future daughter or son will not read of our inaction but of how we united together. Of how we rose to build a country where regardless of the color of your skin, religion, sexual orientation, gender or socio economic status - you were never considered anything less than equal, welcomed and respected.
In case the leaders of the neo-nazi rally have forgotten — we built our country on land we took by force. Then continued to build our democracy on the work and lives of people enslaved and marginalized because of gender and race. We in every essence are uninvited guests, who somehow keep forgetting the tragedies that continue to take place only further perpetuate a deeply rooted privilege, that is not actually based on rights.