I have been silent the past week or so. This silence seems to overtake me every year right around September 11. I try not to focus on my internal emptiness, but maybe I should. I really am not aware of my self-imposed isolation until this period of grief has passed.
This year, with the killings of the US Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens and 3 other diplomatic officers, my sadness has turned to anger. Not at the Libyan people. But rather at my own people. How insensitive and arrogant can we be?
I was raised in Mexico and spent most of my young adult life in Europe--Northern Spain in the Basque Country. I love the Pais Vasco, I love the people and the way of life. That said, the period of time that we lived there was the epicenter of the Basque Terrorist Movement (ETA). And our project was one of the main targets of ETA. (Subject for a book)
We learned to be very careful and sensitive to the Basque sentiments and to guard our speech.
Our diplomats are in similar situations throughout the world. It was unconscionable (sp?) for any individual, especially an American, to post a video mocking Allah and the Muslim religion. To put our fellow citizens in such danger during the period surrounding September 11 shows the lack of respect for other humans that is so rampant in the world today.
But to have a Presidential candidate take this tragedy to an entirely new level and politicize it for his personal benefit ---I am speechless.
What happened to our diplomats was an international tragedy and not a moment in time to be politicized.
As a nation we need to learn the meaning of respect in all of its different manifestations.
Mary
Dear Mary - Sensitivity and respect....totally agree. My parents are Chinese, and I was born in Vietnam and grew up there as well as Malaysia and the U.S. Now I travel all over Europe, Scandinavia and America for our antiques biz. I am thankful to have seen the world and diverse cultures. I hope I've been respectful and sensitive to all those I've met.
ReplyDeleteHi Loi, My prayer is for everyone one of us (on this earth) be able to grasp the oneness that we are. Have a wonderful week-end with lots of sales. Mary
DeleteMary-
ReplyDeleteOur respect for humanity begins at home. It also begins with our four legged loves as you know all too well.
It saddens me to think that people will try to gain recognition for another persons tragedy.
Although our cultures may vary as a people, we are still one world.
I pray for peace and kindness.
pve
Hi Patricia,
DeleteYes, respect for life begins with the first nine months of life and then from birth onward. How we "train our children up......." is the essential key. To model love and respect for all and to teach the interconnectedness of all creation. Someday this will be the norm. Peace to all.
Mary