I just HAD to do it! I couldn't keep silent all summer. While they aren't "earthshaking," a couple of items came to my attention this week that I just HAD to "have my say" on. Any reaction?
About political correctness:
What a joy this morning in church to sing the stirring, patriotic hymn composed in 1882 by Samuel Augustus Ward, "Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies".
Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.
for purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown like good with *brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
*Or "servanthood."
I first want to admit that I am an agnostic, atheistic Christian! But a vital portion of my life at 90 continues to be attending my various churches. And the hymns for me are a lusty and beloved part of the weekly experience. But how can I be expected to praise the "servanthood" that is listed as an alternative singing? Something that so beleaguered so many of my fellow Americans for so many years as a blot upon our nations conscience. Think how the rhythm of the tune would be destroyed were we to put all the various sexual references into the rendition. Can't we sometime just sit back and enjoy a tradition for what it is?
About leaders::
How very fascinating to have The Washington Post this week on the front page of the Style Section include in a lengthy article on my boyhood hero, Charles A. Lindbergh! Of course many of the younger generation are not aware of the exploits of this national, worldwide hero who was the first to cross the Atlantic alone in his simple aircraft, "The Spirit of St. Louis". Honored by President Hoover at the White House, he was showered by events in our country and lionized throughout the world. And today I prize the two-sided ancient phonograph record that was the hit of the day and was a part of our family collection. In order to get a feel for how great was the adulation, I'd like to recommend that you take a few minutes during this holiday week to listen to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9U7SAOovBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q54VvSVk7f4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9U7SAOovBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q54VvSVk7f4
But what a lesson on how gullible we can be in selecting our heroes. History has not been kind to him as it has divulged the full life story of this man:
- his blindness in eulogizing Adolf Hitler before World War II
- his Antisemitism, and
- his betrayal of his wife, distinguished poet Annie Morrow Lindbergh, as a bigamist maintaining a family in both the United States and Germany.
I truly believe that the choice facing us in the presidential election this year is more critical than any I have participated in during my 90 years. While my generation - and previous ones - made grievous mistakes and tolerated heinous atrocities through the years, I truly believe the "Arc of Justice" has maintained a positive direction. I was thrilled to see the commitment of so many to a candidate "promising" to enlist more voters seeking to hasten change. I trust they will not be led now by a candidate whose only plan is built around empty promises and whose entire life's work has shown a disdain for values I hold dear. And while the other candidate may have made errors of judgment, I perceive a lifelong commitment to all those values I find commendable. Dropping out now in disappointment would negate years and years of arduous progress.
Interesting thoughts, Ron. To your point on Lindbergh maybe slowly being forgotten, I knew simply "he crossed the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis." I actually did not know about any of his problematic views/actions.
ReplyDeleteRewriting songs in gender-neutral ways is to me a matter of costs and benefits - how much does it help make our world more equal vs. how much is lost from the song and how important is that song to happiness, joy, etc. Unfortunately these are all things that are very hard to measure! But I do think that language matters - although there are many more egregious examples to work on than words like "brotherhood."
Interesting thoughts, Ron. To your point on Lindbergh maybe slowly being forgotten, I knew simply "he crossed the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis." I actually did not know about any of his problematic views/actions.
ReplyDeleteRewriting songs in gender-neutral ways is to me a matter of costs and benefits - how much does it help make our world more equal vs. how much is lost from the song and how important is that song to happiness, joy, etc. Unfortunately these are all things that are very hard to measure! But I do think that language matters - although there are many more egregious examples to work on than words like "brotherhood."
I wonder , is this the Matt I know? Thanks for your comment , it is the only one I got. Lindbergh was really quite an interesting person, and even his antisemitism had an interesting twist (he didn't want Jews blamed for getting us into the war). There are fascinating books about him - particularly his later life. For me, just the opportunity to hear to hear those songs again was fascinating (I sadly broke our record some years ago.)
ReplyDeleteRon, first of all, I admire you a great deal. You truly stand out among your peers in technological savvy.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your Reddit AMA and also your blogs. Thank you for your selfless willingness to share your considerable wisdom with younger generations.
Also enjoyed the songs about Lindbergh. I think that was an era where people immortalized their heroes in song. One of my favorite ballads is PT 109, by Jimmy Dean. Tells a story about President Kennedy's bravery in battle. I don't think we extol our leaders that way anymore. Now the songs are more about mockery than extolling. What do you think?
Interesting post. I do have to say, I dislike the term "politically correct" as a term that too simply dismisses others' concerns (Oh, they're just being politically correct). To me the issue isn't about politics, or being politic. One dictionary defined the word politic as "contrived in a shrewd and practical way". I see raising these concerns as raising legitimate questions about how one is treated, or how one feels when marginalized. I'm not saying that brotherhood should or shouldn't be retained in this specific example, I just think there are real questions raised when we use words like brotherhood, and too often those concerns are dismissed as someone being too politically correct.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I do have to say, I dislike the term "politically correct" as a term that too simply dismisses others' concerns (Oh, they're just being politically correct). To me the issue isn't about politics, or being politic. One dictionary defined the word politic as "contrived in a shrewd and practical way". I see raising these concerns as raising legitimate questions about how one is treated, or how one feels when marginalized. I'm not saying that brotherhood should or shouldn't be retained in this specific example, I just think there are real questions raised when we use words like brotherhood, and too often those concerns are dismissed as someone being too politically correct.
ReplyDelete