04/03/2012
Had some interesting experiences taking public transportation from the Chicago South side to Chicago Downtown over the past 6 weeks.
I hear so much anger, hostilility and frustration in the normal course of "polite" conversation among the riders that I am making a conscious effort to talk up progress, prosperity and love in a cordial if somewhat different point of view whenever the opportunity ...presents itself.
The communications we have with each other is so important. This 6 weeks has shown me why a segment of our young black brothers communicate and resolve differences with bullets. That is how they have been programmed by games, song, cinema and the conversation they absorbed from their Young and Old mentors. Some simply do not know any other way. I ask myself, whose fault is that???...... The answer comes back.... The people where they live.
With that said, I cannot change what they heard over the years, but I can control what they hear from me. i recognize I have a responsibility to share what I know out of love for them, with them. They are me and I am them.
So, I find myself enjoying talking to my brothers and sisters, young and old, in an exchange of ideas other than the normal drama and complaints that are distractions to tackling the real issues underlying the real problems of values, focus and beliefs.
I am pleased and grateful for the opportunity that they give me the respect of listening and responding.
It makes me understand the scriptures anlalogy in Genesis of why God would have saved the wicked city of S***m if his servant Abraham had been able to find 10 good men or women.
It only takes the spirit and energy of (1) good man to transform Hundreds and Thousands. Ten (10) good men can transform 10,000 and 100,000.
The truth is.... If you think you don't matter..... think again...... Your actions and examples are the only thing that matter..... whether you choose to believe or not
