Another lesson from an immigrant*

*I hesitate to use the word. Given the present president, it almost has a negative connotation in contrast with what our country has stood for in the past.

Sitting next to my Uber driver, Johnny, in the front seat of his Impala, I knew I would learn something about Africa. I of course failed his quiz about the location of Uganda, but I did learn a great deal about him, Green Cards and his view of America.

I was quick to learn that he came to the United States to attend college and continued to renew his Green Card as required every five years. He became a teacher of computer science at a local high school and has raised a family of four children all of whom are also going to college. Continuing our personal conversation, I commiserated by stating that I felt it a shame that it was necessary for him to have a second job. "On the contrary" he stated, "I do it because in my culture I feel a responsibility to make more money to take care of my extended family members. That's the way we do it in our culture."

I also ask about the citizenship process for him in our country and he stated that every five years he had to report for green Card renewal and if one's records were clean, one could apply for citizenship. When I ask why he would choose to have citizenship he stated that "anyone would be a fool not to do so.”

Having picked me up at my Unitarian church, he informed me that he was Christian. Upon returning home, I discovered that 87% of Uganda is Christian.

I was most appreciative of having Johnny reaffirm my belief in the basic tenets of our country, and I can only think of Frank Sinatra's rendition of The House I Live In, and its closing lines

And the people that I meet,

The faces that I see

All races, all religions,

That's America to me.

Something still to say at age 93!

I thought I had said it all when I turned 90, and I answered some thousand or so questions on Reddit's, Ask Me Anything! The Washington Post even called me an "Adorable Reddit Guru" (until they discovered the word “adorable really didn't apply to me! See:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/01/22/meet-the-adorable-90-year-old-who-has-become-a-reddit-guru/

Now at 93 years of age, I've noted three things that lead me to believe my work isn't done, that there is something I want to share with anyone who might be interested.

1. For the past two years I've been a weekly participant with 25 men approaching my age in my apartment complex considering topics ranging from world climate change to pondering the meaning and purpose of life. These DC retirees amaze me with their sensitivity and insight into the complex problems of a rapidly changing world. I'm more convinced than ever that we oldsters need to be in dialogue more with the “idealistic younger generation” that I see in world-wide demonstrations and causes.
2. I've had increased opportunity recently to converse with people with different political, ethnic, racial, religious orientations than I. and therefore I recognize more completely how important it is for each of us to seek more opportunities of this nature.
3. And quite personally, as I again begin to ponder the meaning of MY LIFE, I feel compelled to have my insights heard by anyone who might care to tune in.

Thus, in a few days in an unannounced Rant, I will tell the story of my recent conversation with a Uber driver who grew up in Uganda. I hope you will tune in regularly as I occasionally vent my views. You'll make my day if you will engage in “Comments” so we might dialogue.

Ron

So here's my blog - always available at www.ronlehkersrants.blogspot.com

If I were king!

I would have all America read:

Ted Koppel's editorial in today's Washington Post (July 30, 2019") " I know I'm right about America."

Just go to

www.washposttedkoppell

The fight for soul of our Nation. - as found on the sports page!

Insight into America from the sports section of the newspaper

I've long felt that some of our greatest lasting lessons have been provided from and through athletic competition. I feel the lessons are legion in today's extremely critical period when the moral fiber of our country is being tested. The following account from today's Washington Post, July 26, 2019 says so much. The story relates to Mariano Rivera who was recently inducted by unanimous vote into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rivera had been criticized in an editorial for his continuing support of the President in an appearance in "Fox & Friends."

Rivera: "He was a friend of mine before he became president so because he's president, I will not turn my back on him? No. I respect him. I respect what he does, and I believe he's doing the best for the United States."

Being told of the criticism Rivera, "as he did during his acceptance, cited his Christianity as the basis of his support.”

Rivera: "When it comes to Israel, as a Christian, if my Savior Jesus Christ, he's a Jew, okay? So how am I going to turn my back and say, 'Oh, I won't support Israel'?"

Of course everyone has the right to state their beliefs, but I believe it is extremely important that we learn to weigh statements from our "heroes" as well as the many valid and unsubstantiated statements found on the social media.

At 93 years of age I am more concerned than I have ever been about the future of our democratic republic. I know that I have felt and expressed that there comes a time that we seniors are past our prime and should pass the torch to future generations. However I fear that too often important lessons from the past have not been heard, and I feel an urgent drive to convey previous lessons for consideration in making critical decisions.

AND I FEEL THE URGENCY OF THE CHOICE WE WILL MAKE IN THE ELECTION OF 2020!

We pay for what we value

Why is it that some pay $1,000 per hour for a good lawyer and yet balk at paying $300 - $500 for a good psychiatrist or clinical psychologist?

Money and power!

I'm beginning to despair.

I'm confused! 

Am I really to believe that the conceiving of a child by rape or incest is really God's desire?

Two local issues of national importance

I continue to be amazed at how little attention we give to "minor issues" until they become major national concerns. In today's Metro section of Washington Post,  two of these are written up as a D. C. concern. The first is front page and relates to the death of the cyclist on a busy thoroughfare. The second is more hidden on the third page and is entitled "In a rare move, teachers at a charter school try to form a union."

1. Were we a country truly attuned to solving problems, we would've long ago realized that there are a variety of vehicles that have neither been accommodated well on either the sidewalk or the roadway. I've only recently discovered this since I am now in a motorized scooter for the physically impaired. Even in privileged Cleveland Park sidewalks do not accommodate me, bicycle riders who are afraid of street traffic and motorized scooters whizz by while potholes fully distract us all.  Perhaps the bike lanes should be expanded to also accommodate this type of electrical vehicle.

2. I was involved in public school education in almost every conceivable job from kindergarten to higher education for over 30 years and I've been retired for an equal amount of time. Since retiring my interest in young people caused me to volunteer in a Charter School. I was both heartened and perplexed by what I saw in this new educational venture. Heartened by the fact that a large segment of our inner city youth in the District of Columbia had an opportunity for educational choice to meet their needs. But, among other things, I was most concerned by the toll taken on the teachers by the demands placed upon them. I wondered, how long this might last, until forces brought something to light that I saw evolve many years ago.

We saw the problem coming long ago. In 1951 as a young (age 25) high school principal in Michigan, I knew that the success of our school in helping students depended upon our teamwork as a instructional team. Within a few years the labor/management model was one of the major factors in destroying that team approach. Principals were perceived as a part of management and often forced into an adversarial relationship with teachers. What actually was needed was a new model, an approach that insightful educational leaders advocated at that time.

Like many, I offer no solution. But it 93 I would like to know that my country is honestly facing the problems that are present in a modern changing society. And I think the first step is looking at them fully and honestly. Thus I continue to have my say as long as I am able.