Sunday Musings - July 2, 2023
“The crack” as a metaphor for the message of the prophets
In two days, on July 4, the United States of America will celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
We are painfully aware that although independence from England was achieved in 1776 many in this country are still waiting to be free from the tyranny of racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, and the concept of a God which passively and actively supports the continuations of slavery in its many forms.
As we approach July 4, 2023 I am acutely aware the best effort of those who would shield their eyes from the reality of the many forms of oppression by passing laws such as those forbidding the teaching of what is now call critical race theory; who continue to label mentally ill people as criminals; who deny the fluidity of gender, who would hide their many fears of those who are not them behind religions which pretend to honor the teachings of compassionate leaders such as Jesus, Muhammad, and The Buddha; despite this reality we know the emperor has no clothes. The prophets continue to attempt to wipe the blinding film from our eyes.
Who are the prophets one asks? They are not the political figures who continue to scream what they are against but not what they are for. Perhaps some may be among the few misfits religious leaders who openly reveal truths. Some may be among those who practice the creative arts. Yet, I suspect that most prophets are, once again, those who are least likely to be recognized as such. This has been true throughout history. We humans often discover prophets are those we find the least attractive; those with little formal education; those who do not wear the costume de jour which identifies them as respected elders. I suspect we need to look for the prophet who mirrors the reality of the effort to make manifest the extent of our most recent attempts to, once again, legalize oppression. There may be no clearer metaphor for “showing our ass” as a country than those who wear loose fitting pants without belts to ensure their ass cracks are apparent to all. They are the idea candidates to be the town criers - the town prophets. Everywhere one goes one is forced to view the ass cracks of many of our fellow citizens. We may not have thought of those individuals as prophets. We may not have recognized the not-so-subtle metaphor of the public showing of one’s ass crack. Yet it is clear to me that on this July 4th, 2023, in these United States we are blessed with the opportunity to face the reality of our ongoing fear of freedom for all; our fear of facing the fact we have indeed erred and strayed from the reality of the intentional or unintentional aspirations of the Declaration of Independence which includes the statement:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Prophets often bring uncomfortable truths. Prophets may force our attention to truths asunattractive as ass cracks. Yet, if we continue to ignore these truths we will be visited by even less attractive and painful ones.
We cannot claim to be a free Country unless all are free. Will the truth as proclaimed by the prophets lead to freedom for all?
Written July 2, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
“The crack” as a metaphor for the message of the prophets
In two days, on July 4, the United States of America will celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
We are painfully aware that although independence from England was achieved in 1776 many in this country are still waiting to be free from the tyranny of racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, and the concept of a God which passively and actively supports the continuations of slavery in its many forms.
As we approach July 4, 2023 I am acutely aware the best effort of those who would shield their eyes from the reality of the many forms of oppression by passing laws such as those forbidding the teaching of what is now call critical race theory; who continue to label mentally ill people as criminals; who deny the fluidity of gender, who would hide their many fears of those who are not them behind religions which pretend to honor the teachings of compassionate leaders such as Jesus, Muhammad, and The Buddha; despite this reality we know the emperor has no clothes. The prophets continue to attempt to wipe the blinding film from our eyes.
Who are the prophets one asks? They are not the political figures who continue to scream what they are against but not what they are for. Perhaps some may be among the few misfits religious leaders who openly reveal truths. Some may be among those who practice the creative arts. Yet, I suspect that most prophets are, once again, those who are least likely to be recognized as such. This has been true throughout history. We humans often discover prophets are those we find the least attractive; those with little formal education; those who do not wear the costume de jour which identifies them as respected elders. I suspect we need to look for the prophet who mirrors the reality of the effort to make manifest the extent of our most recent attempts to, once again, legalize oppression. There may be no clearer metaphor for “showing our ass” as a country than those who wear loose fitting pants without belts to ensure their ass cracks are apparent to all. They are the idea candidates to be the town criers - the town prophets. Everywhere one goes one is forced to view the ass cracks of many of our fellow citizens. We may not have thought of those individuals as prophets. We may not have recognized the not-so-subtle metaphor of the public showing of one’s ass crack. Yet it is clear to me that on this July 4th, 2023, in these United States we are blessed with the opportunity to face the reality of our ongoing fear of freedom for all; our fear of facing the fact we have indeed erred and strayed from the reality of the intentional or unintentional aspirations of the Declaration of Independence which includes the statement:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Prophets often bring uncomfortable truths. Prophets may force our attention to truths asunattractive as ass cracks. Yet, if we continue to ignore these truths we will be visited by even less attractive and painful ones.
We cannot claim to be a free Country unless all are free. Will the truth as proclaimed by the prophets lead to freedom for all?
Written July 2, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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