light for a US election process...

as i contemplate on where i share and with whom all that this election is putting those i love dearly through who just happen to wear brown skin…i find myself here. here were we are striving to live the truth of being enlightened, hoping to have our eyes wide open and our hearts filled knowing that we are all in this together and we are all the reason we are here.

for those of you who would have no reason to know, this election has brought out the worse in many. in my neighborhood where houses sell for over $300k, signs of Obama & Biden are being stolen from lawns. People keep asking ridiculous questions the number 1 being…
“are you going to vote for obama because he's black” - wow…how insulting…lol…i am trying to resist sarcasm at this point because i'm tempting to say no, but i did vote for clinton because he was white. do you really want to know why i vote? its not because i feel like my vote is making the difference, the electoral college took care of that -  its because people literally died so that i would have the right to…i vote because people had to die for me to get the right to do so…

people have sent me things that contain statements like “blacks are known to riot” and “this will just put blacks back to sleep” -OMG seriously? people don't know these are prejudice statements? - i don't believe in the word racism, it is ridiculous, the one race is human (period). i don't like the word “minority” there is no such thing as a people who are minor to any other people (period). the words to me were created to increase separation.

my sister who lives in PA took a picture of a man wearing a sign today that said - “don't be an idiot and vote for a N(word)” - she took the picture because the people at her job told her things like that weren't happening. can i just say…if you're not one of the people these things would be said to…how do you know what's happening?

and yet, while men my brother works with actually tell him they're not prejudice but they can't vote for a black man -LOL…wow, then my brother says what are you talking about…obama is white - and they say what…and he says yes…his mother is white and father is black…i think he would look out for both of us, maybe even all of us.

but let me tell you this, the last time i checked blacks never voted based on skin - there has only been once choice - what we do vote on is who we think will run the country the best, we listen to the candidates just like everyone else. and i can't speak for all so i'll speak for myself, i don't want a president who looks out just for me, whose policy will be perfect just for me or for all those freaking joes out there (no offense joe) - i would really, sincerely love to have a president who wants the best for the entire country…all of us. and call me stupid, but maybe even the world. that's want i want. and i cannot take another 4 years of the 8 we've just had. we're broke, in a war, can't even afford gas - most of our land is now not even owned by us. many are unemployed, homeless - its just more than enough.

confederate flags are flying proudly in various places throughout Virginia - and do you know what is said about them? they're not prejudice (replace w/word i don't like) - they're just proud of their history, they're just remembering and honoring their ancestors…wow.

really? those would be the ones who enslaved people who looked like me right? you're american…fly the american flag.

everyone thinks this is such an awesome time if you're brown skinned and they're right…but…it is also so filled with prejudice, hatred, ignorance… i wish i lived in france.

so to those who are filled with light and sending it regularly from the woman who knows i'm your sister even if we don't look alike, for a woman who knows we are all the same beyond our flesh…could you do me a favor? please send light to all those people who just don't get that…and to all of us who have to hear the rude, prejudice, ignorant things they keep throwing our way.

i don't want my little cousin to go to school on election day. i would prefer not to be in the south (forgive me southerners who aren't prejudice), but i'm as always being honest. do you know the kkk still exists? yep…with my own eyes… why in  the 21st century have i witnessed these things…with my own eyes.

every once in a while i allow myself to feel to just be human and feel what humans do to one another, i have let myself do this now for this moment in time so that i can share with all of you who don't think like this what is happening, what is being done by the people who do. i refused to open an email sent to me whose subject was “man shot for wearing an obama t-shirt” i just refuse to open it…

earlier today a friend from years ago emailed me…he lives in paris france…maybe i will move to france…:) i hope i live to see the day when we realize…

we are one
i happen to love you all, even those who can't love me back, because they are lost in my skin which is like the earth…brown. i posted a poem i found that i wrote years ago on the dreams of artists pod, this seems the perfect time to share what i was feeling when i wrote it. it s one of a series of poems i wrote in a journal that i call “owed to black history.”

Re: light for a US election process...

Dearest aki; as people in many countries may today know more about who's standing for election in the U.S. than in their own backyard, I am with you.

And to the poetry and humanity of your words: [strikeouts and replaced words mine, in italics and underlined. ]

aki :”i don't want a president who looks out just for me, whose policy will be perfect just for me or for all those freaking joes out there (no offense joe) - i would really, sincerely love to have a president who wants the best for the entire country…all of us. and call me stupid stupendous  but maybe even the world.”

Even today when we have seen that a poor man's sneezing in one place can herald a worldwide epidemic,  anyone seriously believe that any one person can be benefited if all are not?

Re: light for a US election process: Gaiafield Oct 1-24

Planting the Seeds

October 1-24, 2008

WiseUSA ‘O8 begins with a series of “Talkcasts” (via teleconference and/or audio webcast) with some of America’s most renowned socially-engaged spiritual teachers, including Lynne Twist, Marianne Williamson, Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, David Spangler and Gabriel Cousens M.D. Each teacher will share what a wise USA means to him or her and will guide a subtle activism practice, such as a meditation or prayer for collective healing.

~~~~~~~~~~~

When we think of something with light, more comes up! I saw this in the team blog for this week.

I'm placing this in our group's calendar.

Re: light for a US election process...

My heartfelt thanks for this share here  Aki and a community building of hope.  Sometimes I know I'm in a bit of trouble as I randomnly pick and choose what links to follow as I meander through Gaia.  The trouble being when tears need shedding and I find myself blessed to be at a job where I can use the computer and suddenly not knowing how to explain the depth of tears to a coworker or client.

This was one of those times Aki.  So thankful for your sharing which brought tears due to the reality of it all.  Tears which can clear my vision for future steps forward.  Future steps forward together.

Blessings, David

Re: light for a US election process...

A society captured by such contagion of aberration in a political arena is immune to much of that ordinary discouragement and purposelessness of hate and lies, and worst STUPIDITY.  Thank you for posting the wake up call and getting others to see that the effect of bashing does not make a better world.  Seeing the prejudice behavior is such low breeding.  I pray that at a grass roots level that the dis ease of those that are that illiterate learn to open their eyes and see truth.  Thanks for the report.

Re: light for a US election process...

thank you for your responses…

meenakshi - thanks for making me stupendous:) when i was a child i thought the coolest thing about the “United States” was that when abbreviated it means us. i believed someone evolved shared in-between the lines that it was a place for all of us. so anyone could come here and become citizens because this would be a place for us. not limited to those already here, but an invitation to the world to come and see all of us living together.

david - as enlightened as i hope i've become and as loving as i know i am, i can see clearly past ignorance and love completely, yet everytime i let myself recall a time when i was discriminated against…i still cry. it is the cry of then when it happened yet, it still manages to hurt someplace in my humanness. that is what prejudice does, it  causes a scar that you know has healed, but if you ever touch that spot again, it will cause you to tear. as i wrote this piece and posted the poem on dreams of artists…i started to recall all the times i was treated badly because of my skin and i am instantly in that moment. it is when another's ignorance caused me pain. ironically, i doubt they even remember it. those of us who go through these things don't always share them, we want them to go away, we want to ignore that it happened. so we just move on. i decided i have friends on gaia that i wanted to share this with, because i know you care. i won't apologize for making you cry…i am wiping the tears from your eyes as you wipe them from mine:)

kathy - i second all you've said:)

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

aki, I am out of the U.S. [and not sorry, if I may be truthful] but strongly conscious of the goings-on, and indeed often saddened by the constant viciousness which still prevails in a supposed 'developed' place.

I shan't continue the debate as I feel that somehow it gives credibility to it.

I only lend my light as enlightened to higher truths and powers, and pray for some sanity and maturity to raise its head as you [we? the whole world??] approach this election and that thereafter we will continue to grow as a people to further enlightenment and actualisation of our spiritual and intellectual potential.

And that Mr. Obama will be at peace on his journey…

Thank you for raising this, aki and I'm happy to see you around and still blessed.

With love and pure, clear light.

Sherrilene

Re: light for a US election process...

Wow! What a great discussion, and what a great place to find it - among those who wish to share light and healing to this world. When I was in 6th grade the nuns had us kids go out and campaign against a school funding propposal, and I became really aware of the election process at that time. It was '68. I could not believe Nixon won, and I took my dad to task for voting for that creepy guy. My Dad then told me these words, that I long remember. He said that if you go to France or Italy or many other nations, you would have a long list of candidates to choose from, and you could pick on that stands for exactly what you believe. But, when they get to Paris or Rome, or wherever, they still have to compromise and make a team with other party members that you did not elect because the government NEEDS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY. Here, we have just two major parties, and you are not voting for a man (or woman) you are voting for  a team. Now, we do love to put one party in the White House, and the other in the halls of Congress, and while this slows the process down, it does make for a healthy sense of checks and balances.

Since then, I went on to get a degree in American Hstory and have see the 2oth century played out. here are two more things to add:
Third parties do make an impact, but rarely do they “rock the vote.” Lincoln's Republican election, and TR running as a bull Moose were two such elections.

Second, you can only go into the poling place with a clear conscience and a good grip on the past. No one knows the future, and the candidate you choose will probobly NOT do as he/she says. This doesn't make them promise breakers – it just makes them human. Wilson and FDR both promised to stay out of the european conflict, and off to war we went. I cried when Nixon was re-elected in '72, as i was sure my brother would be drafted. Nixon ended the war. And in '64 our own govenor, the colorful Soapy Williams stood at the podium screaming when LBJ got the nomination that this southern cracker would never do anything for civil rights – and he turned out to be just the man for the job DUE to his southern background.

So, McCain probobly won't be able to over turn Roe vs Wade, and Obama probobly won't be able to fix health care any more than the Clintons were able to, and neither one has the power to fix the economy. We all need to do that together.

10 days before the election, I am starting a novena (prayers) for the US election process, as are many Catholics around the world. On election day, I have been appointed an election official for our city. I am excited! And honored, and ready for a long hard day of work!

See you all at the polls!!!

Re: light for a US election process...

On a daily basis, you sure can get more than your fair share of gloom by reading the news….Of course, the media enjoys promoting this view - it sells!  You'd probably feel a lot better and be more productive avoiding the news for a week or more….Try it for  day, you'll see.

And, consider what America's greatest investor (in terms of long-term success) has to say….   His viewpoint applies to American markets, which includes real estate….. After 30+ years in the real estate game, I've seen a lot of change…..So while things are stirred up right now, remember, this too will pass.

Make wise decisions now while America is on sale.

If you have needs or questions regarding the investment real estate market, feel free to contact me; more than $ 1 billion in today's value in deals, done.

Best to you for the future!

Kathy

October 17, 2008

Op-Ed Contributor

Buy American. I Am.

By WARREN E. BUFFETT

Omaha

THE financial world is a mess, both in the United States and abroad. Its problems, moreover, have been leaking into the general economy, and the leaks are now turning into a gusher. In the near term, unemployment will rise, business activity will falter and headlines will continue to be scary.

So … I've been buying American stocks. This is my personal account I'm talking about, in which I previously owned nothing but United States government bonds. (This description leaves aside my Berkshire Hathaway holdings, which are all committed to philanthropy.) If prices keep looking attractive, my non-Berkshire net worth will soon be 100 percent in United States equities.

Why?

A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. And most certainly, fear is now widespread, gripping even seasoned investors. To be sure, investors are right to be wary of highly leveraged entities or businesses in weak competitive positions. But fears regarding the long-term prosperity of the nation's many sound companies make no sense. These businesses will indeed suffer earnings hiccups, as they always have. But most major companies will be setting new profit records 5, 10 and 20 years from now.

Let me be clear on one point: I can't predict the short-term movements of the stock market. I haven't the faintest idea as to whether stocks will be higher or lower a month — or a year — from now. What is likely, however, is that the market will move higher, perhaps substantially so, well before either sentiment or the economy turns up. So if you wait for the robins, spring will be over.

A little history here: During the Depression, the Dow hit its low, 41, on July 8, 1932. Economic conditions, though, kept deteriorating until Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in March 1933. By that time, the market had already advanced 30 percent. Or think back to the early days of World War II, when things were going badly for the United States in Europe and the Pacific. The market hit bottom in April 1942, well before Allied fortunes turned. Again, in the early 1980s, the time to buy stocks was when inflation raged and the economy was in the tank. In short, bad news is an investor's best friend. It lets you buy a slice of America's future at a marked-down price.

Over the long term, the stock market news will be good. In the 20th century, the United States endured two world wars and other traumatic and expensive military conflicts; the Depression; a dozen or so recessions and financial panics; oil shocks; a flu epidemic; and the resignation of a disgraced president. Yet the Dow rose from 66 to 11,497.

You might think it would have been impossible for an investor to lose money during a century marked by such an extraordinary gain. But some investors did. The hapless ones bought stocks only when they felt comfort in doing so and then proceeded to sell when the headlines made them queasy.

Today people who hold cash equivalents feel comfortable. They shouldn't. They have opted for a terrible long-term asset, one that pays virtually nothing and is certain to depreciate in value. Indeed, the policies that government will follow in its efforts to alleviate the current crisis will probably prove inflationary and therefore accelerate declines in the real value of cash accounts.

Equities will almost certainly outperform cash over the next decade, probably by a substantial degree. Those investors who cling now to cash are betting they can efficiently time their move away from it later. In waiting for the comfort of good news, they are ignoring Wayne Gretzky's advice: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.”

I don't like to opine on the stock market, and again I emphasize that I have no idea what the market will do in the short term. Nevertheless, I'll follow the lead of a restaurant that opened in an empty bank building and then advertised: “Put your mouth where your money was.” Today my money and my mouth both say equities.

Warren E. Buffett is the chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, a diversified holding company.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

Re: light for a US election process...

Hi Holly,
Nice to see you here.

Beautifully put.  It is true.

The more balance we have between the Congress, President and Judicial System the slower the process but the better. This is part of what makes this country so great.  The checks and blances.
And on the third party issue, they do have an effect, unfortunately it often takes the vote away from the major party candidate you would have chosen (i.e., the Ross Perot effect).

You are so right when you say what they probably won't be able to do and fix. 

Strangely, I keep thinking that I wish either of them would speak more like a visionary and a leader.  Inspire us dear president.  Elevate the office to what it once was.  We will be behind you, whoever you are. 

Re: light for a US election process...

Holly, after what you wrote, I have to share that for the past few days the message going thru me is: Regardless of who is elected, may the country be well governed and the highest good of all concerned come about…

Re: light for a US election process...

that is a wonderful statement…but, if we haven't learned by now that the world is what we make it, we never will. if the country could be well governed no matter who is elected…it wouldn't be in the horrible state it is in now….

because i promise you…we've been sending light…we've been praying…meditating…and all things that are of spiritual power - what exactly do we think all of those things have given us? i mean isn't everything in a mess?…but no wait…maybe…just maybe…all of that light has given us chance to vote wiser this time…to make a higher choice.

we can talk about not manufacturing anything ourselves, being dependent on oil that we don't even have, no longer owning most of our land, the media being run by those who have the power to make it say whatever they want…consuming and using way more than our share…our president's family becoming wealthier while the country becomes poor…and on…and on…

but guess what my biggest issue is? in this land of milk and honey (the honey bee is on the verge of extinction by the way) - in this land that is mostly being milk(ed) by its leaders…

30,000 amercians commit suicide every year. mercy - imagine how high the numbers will be for this year with 18+ solders killing themselves daily upon returning home from iraq.

forget the economy! forget the mortgage crisis! forget the education system! forget that we don't even own our own country (read my blog).

i just want a president who will inspire people to LIVE…give people enough hope to stop killing themselves…people are killing themselves…do we even know how many of them are young? do we realize…they are the future we're hoping to pass things to? we have more suicides than most 3rd world countries? are you an american reading this?…do you know these things? if not…why not?…ever drive with your eyes closed?…then don't vote that way.

open your eyes, see clearly, then rise, and do something about the world we live in. you can't change something, if you won't admit its not working….ironically i dont' see any more bush/chenny signs around… do you realize if you helped put the leaders in office…you also contributed to the state of the country? how does that make you feel? - i'd be pissed right about now, i'd be ready to do something different instead of the same mistake for a 3rd time!
——————–

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Re: light for a US election process...

aki, if polls are right; and the flavor of posts on Gaia, most Americans are with you in your choice.

I am not an American citizen; and so will not be voting. But like me, many around the world send light, I am sure…For me, personally, the fact of having these wonderful words in the constitution that you have quoted, is very inspiring; and I give intent that they will come to be…for all in the country; including the native Americans.

In the history of the world, there have been inspired leaders who were  unable to fulfill the purpose the countries looked from them, due to one reason or another [e.g. Rajiv Gandhi in India]. For that reason, my focus and intent are on the actual results of a new government. Please do not feel that this in any way detracts from your intent. It supports and extends it.

Re: light for a US election process...

meenakshi…i have only known you to be of a light, filled with wisdom and of positive energy - i am aware that you aren't american and this is my way of saying to those who are american it is up to us to take all of the light that the entire world is sending our way and do something with it. - because truthfully all you can do is send us light and your hopes, prayers, energy…and it is awesome that so many around the world are doing so…but we as americans have got to make this happen for us and for all of you.

btw…i happen to also be native american:) - great grandfather who was cherokee and a great grandmother who was blackfeet.

when i say “we are one” i really mean it. - you are the part of us that is sending light and we are the part of us that has to use it to benefit the all of us.
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

aki, how wonderful to know of your truly american heritage. That is how I see Barack Obama as well; though he is called black, he is truly American.

Re: light for a US election process...

yes…and in this tremendous game of life that we play - taking a puzzle apart only to put the pieces back again…i love this…

all life began in africa - scientist have released the proof and it is finally taught in schools…so no matter how many things we put in place to trick ourselves, we always come back to the truth…

we are one

and that is why when i vote, you will be voting too:)
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

Yes, I think it is true that while we are voting for the president of the United States, and you must be a citizen to vote, we are electing a world leader whose decisions will effect all! But also, don't forget to think, pray and research those local issues and candidates.

I am so excited! i am actually working at the polls this year. I gripe enough about the small mindedness of my small town, but, when the city clerk called for more poll workers, I was glad to step up to the plate!

Re: light for a US election process... More than a colour of skin

Friends,

I just saw this article on Yahoo and it struck me [in a quite pleasant way] that this gentleman, Mr. Obama is more than a skin colour. There's lots of human to him:

Leaving campaign trail to visit grandmother…

Right now I couldn't care less what complexion Senator Obama is. I'm just impressed with his humanity.

[Yesterday I mentioned in private that I hope he's got his priorities straight, namely his peace of mind and by extension, hearth and home which I think has been the failing of all leadership over these many years. I am pleased to see a response from the Universe to my query, quite directly…]

Best, Sherri

Re: light for a US election process... More than a colour of skin

And I suppose everybody has seen this clip by now. I think he is hilarious, and a sense of humour can do wonders in handling difficult things… [Hope this hasn't been mentioned earlier in the thread!]

Sherrilene

Re: light for a US election process... More than a colour of skin

Sending some light to his Toot as well.  Thanks for the link.
Blessings, David

Re: light for a US election process... More than a colour of skin

I loved that article too.  I sent it on to some others who will appreciate it. 

Re: light for a US election process...

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for reminding me that there are those out there that are interested in things more significant than skin color.  The area where I live is very concernced with the us vs. them attitude.

I, too, admire Obama for his humanity.  His (apparent) geniune concern for everyone.  I guess this is such a foreign concept for a politician.  I want so badly to believe that someone truly wants to help instead of help themselves.

Re: light for a US election process...

Awesome, heartfelt post, Jaki!  A couple of things you said just walloped me upside the head…

~do you really want to know why i vote? … its because people literally died so that i would have the right to…i vote because people had to die for me to get the right to do so~

abso-frickin-lutely!!  The cure for my own cynicism on this issue is the SHAME I feel when I think of not voitng after all those who've sacrificed (or been sacrificed) for this fragile right… soldiers, women, blacks, and on and on…

Watch this video, full of stunning images from the civil rights movement (those were sure never in my school textbooks!) - and crank up the sound, especially in the second half, to hear the gorgeous vocals of French-Cote d'Ivoirienne Aida, of the band Metisse. 

I watch it again and again - though the images are harsh, it fills me with such hope - for indeed we are all one, and have come so far.  There is much further to go, and I think this sending light to those who are 'against' in any way  is a big part of the answer, if not THE answer.  We're all in it together.  We are 1.  Bless us ALL.

Re: light for a US election process...

I followed the link to the video.  so powerful, images, words and music.  what stands out for me the most is the expression of peace on rosa parks' face as a girl behind her is screaming at her.  the ugliness of the contortion of the face of one who has been encouraged to hate vs the beauty in a face than has been encouraged to love herself enough to face adverstity. screaming back wouldn't/couldn't have worked.  we don't have to shout down the likes of o'reilly and others who would shout down and ridicule our peaceful messages, we just have to wait until they make themselves horse, standing firm and strong and peacefully until they have shouted themselves into exhaustion.  :-) 

Re: light for a US election process...

Wasn't that just awesome?  What blew me away was that Rosa Parks was so frickin GORGEOUS.  They invoke her name in history classes, the power of peaceful protest and all, and say something like: she was tired from working a long day, and just NOT GOING TO move to the back of the bus (that not going to - so powerful!) and I had always pictured her as this middle aged lady, run down from work, just fed up with it all - but no - look at that gorgeous, determined face.  I am all the more blown away by the certitude of this woman!  (she did an awesome cameo appearance on Deepak Chopra's recording of Rumi's poetry, btw)

Re: light for a US election process...

just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who posted on this thread, sent light (is sending light:) to the elections here in the us.

Tsuya, there's an expression that comes to mind when i read your post “you feel me?”… i believe that what we have expressed is felt, understood and appreciated.

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

Ah, that is such a wonderful moment–when we feel another person “gets” us!
And aki, we've seen your inner light, and in this new icon picture, we now see its outer manifestation!
wanted to post this on yr grapevine, but “it didn't let me”.

Re: light for a US election process...

I am feeling this also and I'm not in the States or from the States!

Mankind has gone through so much as it struggled to accept itself in entirety!

I don't see Sen. Obama as a saviour but as evidence that finally the people who will take the responsibility of leadership up, will try to do more than just talk their way into our favour, attempting to stimulate us through fear and one-upmanship.

I'm thankful that Obama raised the bar with his campaign, whether or not he wins [which of course I hope that he does for the sake of all the world which truly needs to see a different image of America… seriously!] because the language of campaigns and political races will be forever changed now. [And across the world it was long felt that if it or anything is approved of in the U.S. then it must be good enough as a standard in the world, which certainly it is not!]

To me, this development, is enough!

Continuing to send my prayers out at every turn. And wishing friends here and everywhere love and blessings.

Sherri

Re: light for a US election process...

Sherri: I don't see Sen. Obama as a saviour but as evidence that finally the people who will take the responsibility of leadership up, will try to do more than just talk their way into our favour, attempting to stimulate us through fear and one-upmanship.~~

There's still so much fear, but YES!! Let us celebrate that evidence of change.  All political opinions aside, it is FRICKIN' AWESOME for this country to be running a black man and a white woman on ANY presidential ticket, let alone both!  I think the implications of this are being overshadowed by all the nasty-making - which overshadows even war and economical disaster in the let's-slam-the-other-guy-cause-(though-it's-not-like-we-LOVE-our-guy)-we're-TERRIFIED-of-that-other-crackpot sweepstakes - but, but, BUT - something COSMIC must have happened for this poor, beleaguered country to get to this point.  Halle-frickin-lujia!! 

Wasn't so very long ago, these things would have been INCONCEIVABLE.  How much further can we go??  Let's find out…


And, Peggy J - AWESOME to see you back here on Gaia!!! 

Re: light for a US election process...

hello everyone.  here's my second attempt to post here.   my first attempt when into ?????

I just wanted to say thank you aki and everyone here for this powerful discussion. 

It put me in mind of this blog that I wrote in April 2007.  it mentions Obama and fear and love and light and it was good to read it again after being inspired & reminded of it by this series of posts. 

thanks Sherri for linking me here.  and thanks Tsuya for linking Sherri from here to my blog, so she could link me back here….  :-) 

does anyone here remember the true story of some humans who became angels in order to counter someone else's hateful and fearful message that was being broadcast loudly???  remember The Laramie Project? 

I wonder if we could start a compilation of stories and ideas for responding to hate with brilliant loving action?  well of course we could, but will we?? 

shall we?

Re: light for a US election process...

synonym for light, you asked:“I wonder if we could start a compilation of stories and ideas for responding to hate with brilliant loving action?  well of course we could, but will we?? ”


Yes! At the  Light shines board:” Who, where, how do you see shining light? All around the world people are helping, transforming, improving the quality of life in those around them.  Share inspiring news about  events,  people, beings where light shines brightly.”

Please do start a thread.

Re: light for a US election process...

Dawn! Radiant Dawn!

You wrote about responding to hate with brilliant loving action, about countering someone else's hateful and fearful message that was being broadcast loudly, countering it with Love and Light.  YES!  Yes yes yes.

The power of brilliant loving action is wondrous.  I was just writing “What if the power of loving intention were stronger than the sword?”  (A rhetorical question if ever there was one. :)  I love adore get totally jazzed by such synchronicity!

If you do start a thread on the Light shines board, like Meenakshi suggests, mannnnn, we will SO be in there right behindya, radiating Love and Light.

Peace and Oceans of Love!

Jeannie

Re: light for a US election process...

thanks willow.  i read your blog last night, right before I slept.  I didn't know how to add to it, so I didn't make a comment last night.  I'm happy to reread it this morning.  wonderful!!

Re: light for a US election process...

My jury's still out on the power of intention being stronger than the sword (watching humans mowed down by tanks kind of erodes that trust), but I've never had any doubts about the power of the Word - the pen mightier than the sword.  All of our fledgeling voices tuning up our lions' roars is amazing me!!

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thanks meenakshi.  I will go explore there whenever I need some inspiration.  there is a lot to read already!!!   I'm beginning to overcome my fear of pods.  lol.  and perhaps, once I've caught up with all the reading there, I'll be brave enough to post a thread too.  :-) 

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Ohh–I should've done it straight away, sfl! And now I have–let's share:

Stories/ideas for responding to hate with loving action

Re: light for a US election process...

Changing the Way We Change

Dear Readers,

Before the last U.S. presidential election back in 2004, What Is Enlightenment? magazine posed the following query to five religious leaders: “Many people argue that the upcoming presidential election is the most important in our lifetime. Do you
agree?” 

Four of the respondents said, in effect, “Yes, because George Bush is bad for America and the world.”

But the fifth religious leader, Zen Buddhist Jan Chozen Roshi, replied, “I don't know. Our existence is so short, it's like a dust mote in the eye of God. To say that the time in which my dust mote existed was the most important is a self-centered view.”

Roshi's wisdom reminded me of an anecdote told by Henry Kissinger, an American politician who was Secretary of State in the 1970s. Kissinger once asked Chinese premier Zhou Enlai what he thought of the French Revolution, which had happened two centuries earlier. “Too soon to tell,” Chou answered.

I always like to keep these ideas in mind, even in times of relative peace and calm. But I'm especially fond of focusing on the *very* big picture when divine chaos is whirling around – like now. It helps keep me humble, and discourages me from any temptation I might have to believe I know the Whole Truth about anything, let alone about the mysterious long-term processes at work in the evolution of the human race.

There's another factor that makes me cautious about getting embroiled in partisan politics and the narrow-minded hostility that fuels it. One of my main goals in life is to love everyone with passionate intensity – no exceptions. Not just the people I find beautiful and helpful and interesting and attractive. But also the people I don't like and the people who don't like me and the people I disagree with and the people who can't or won't do anything for me.

In order to become the gorgeous genius I aspire to be, in order to fulfill the unique destiny I came to Earth to embody, I have to hold EVERYONE in my heart with compassion and empathy. As I contemplate how every single part of creation is interconnected, I've got to be aware that the creatures I'm allergic to and inclined to feel alienated from are also part of the great web of life.

That's my spiritual goal; it's essential to awakening my best self and cultivating an intimate connection to Spirit. It's also my selfish goal; it's critical to my physical and mental health. Hatred always sickens me. Love always invigorates me.

*

On the other hand:

I was born at a specific moment in history with a unique outlook and a particular assignment. I can't help but be passionate about the truth as I see it.

And the truth as I see it is that Barack Obama is the best choice for President of the United States. He is definitely the most pronoiac candidate.

That's why I'm voting for him and feel good about saying:

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Re: light for a US election process...

Dear David,

I think you have beautifully described the wider perspective that is helping many today to focus in on the thought to be had, and the action that needs to be taken.

When I saw the convention for the parties, I remember seeing that one was charged with light, and the other was fueled by fear and hate and a sense of desperation.

I take it that it's time for one to gently and beautifully and powerfully dissipate the latter. Not defeat, not destroy, not join in hating—but dissipate with light.

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David,

I read that same newsletter from Brezsny and I'm so, so glad you posted it here.  I agree wholeheartedly!!  

Wonderful. 

-Dawn

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AWESOME post.  LOVE Brezsny.

Is it not late?  A late time to be living?  Are not our generations the crucial ones?  For we have changed the world.  Are not our heightened times the important ones?  For we have nuclear bombs.  Are we not especially significant because our century is? - our century and its unique Holocaust, its refugee populations, its serial totalitarian exterminations; our century and its antibiotics, silicon chips, men on the moon, and spliced genes?  No, we are not and it is not.  These times of ours are ordinary times, a slice of life like any other.  Who can bear to hear this, or who will consider it?…
Take away the bomb threat and what are we?  Ordinary beads on a never-ending string.  Our time is a routine twist of an improbable yarn…
There must be something heroic about our time, something that lifts it above all those other times.  Plague?  Funny weather?  Dire things are happening…
Why are we watching the news, reading the news, keeping up with the news?  Only to enforce our fancy - probably a necessary lie - that these are crucial times, and we are in on them.  Newly revealed, and we are in the know: crazy people, bunches of them.  New diseases, shifts in power, floods!  Can the news from dynastic Egypt have been any different?

Annie Dillard (nee Doak) (1945 - )

Source: For the Time Being (Vintage), Page: 30..32

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Awww, you had me until you chose the other hand. :(   I just wanted to stay in that loving kind place.

Doing my best at keeping neutral and yet still voting. 

“One of my main goals in life is to love everyone with passionate intensity - no exceptions. Not just the people I find beautiful and helpful and interesting and attractive. But also the people I don't like and the people who don't like me and the people I disagree with and the people who can't or won't do anything for me. ”
I love this!

Thanks for your views!
Blessings One and All,
Marcella

pssst - I do think either way is an awesome opportunity for growth for the nation.  We have two choices and either way we win. A woman or a Black man. A tiny speck in time, but one that should have happened in this great country long ago!

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Apologies…  It seems neither here or in other places I posted the above did I cut and paste the blurb attributing it to Mr Rob Brezsny.  That's who wrote it.  I meant to say I thought it was such a wonderful way to look at the whole picture and still act.

Blessings, David

Re: light for a US election process...

Awesome post David:)!!!!

This entire process is so interesting and intriguing - I love it, truly - I am a lover of all things that make people think, feel, awaken and try to find themselves in a mirror. I am also a lover of all things that shine a light so brightly that truths are exposed that would otherwise be hidden. That is part of what this election is doing. While a lot of people are considering this election thinking of how blacks might see it - I have to laugh at that idea because we have only had one choice in the few years that we have been allowed to vote. Did we complain about it? Did we march? Protest? Not vote?… Actually…I'm going to tell you a little secret that I've come to notice, blacks are the most tolerant, forgiving, peaceful people on the planet! How on earth can I make such a claim? Well, we were nannies to the babies of slave owners, even as we were whipped, killed, raped, separated from our families - we loved their children, we breast fed them and we treated them as if they were…our children.

Fast forward…when my daughter was in private school in Brooklyn NY (2nd grade) I went to pick her up one day and there was a substitute teacher there, she came to the door and asked me “whose nanny are you?” I didn't respond, I turned my head, looked at my daughter and smiled -she came to me and said “hi mommy.”

The teacher blushed and didn't know what to say - A wave of shame covered the her face - she became nervous and I said “I'm taking my daughter to an appointment today.”

Guess what…I wasn't offended, I didn't feel awkward…I already knew that most of the children in the school were being taken care of by “nannies” and those women were mostly black although the children were white (my daughter was 1 of 3 children who weren't). I find/found no shame in this, it is a part of my history - a history in which we as black women love children as if they are our own, no matter if they look like us. I have always been proud of this because it is the foundation of our truth in knowing that - they all are our children. We are all one race and it is human.

The media and those who think it somehow benefits them would have you believe that blacks are violent and should be feared - I always laugh at this - and many friends who aren't black have confided in me certain fears they've had when they encounter a black man on the street - I laugh at this because we were enslaved for 50 years? And how many reports did you hear about those slaves killing their owners when they were freed? How many reports were there of us “burning down” houses we were chained in? Killing those who hung our loved ones? You didn't hear about all of those? That my darling is because there weren't stories to tell you.

We had the nerve to just be thankful and grateful that we were free! When whites came to Africa one of the reasons they were able to get so many people was because we were fascinated by the complexion of their skin - wow… sound familiar? so were the Native Americans, another group of individuals who were peaceful and made out to be … dare I say it… savages…seems the most peaceful get that title a lot.

So, why am I black & proud - as James Brown put it:)… because I love the fact that I reflect the color of the earth and chocolate:) Even as I watch people risk skin cancer to get darker…yet…somehow…not like me for the color of my skin? LOL. I love the shape of my hips and back side…even as I watch the medical industry make tons of money giving  people a bit more…behind:)…LOL. I love the fullness of my lips - no injections needed. All of the music, dancing, natural artistic gifts and abilities - what's not to love about being black?

This is what I've found…when you love who you are…it is ever so easy to love everyone else:) I happen to love everyone else…I know we're all from the same parent…and just don't happen to have the same complexions:)…yet…we have the same organs don't we:)…when you don't love yourself…it's easier to channel that negative feeling to someone else than to deal with the issues of not loving who you are. It is easier to blame someone else for what you feel is lacking in you or in your life.

So mostly, I feel sorry for people who will never know all of the amazing pleasures there are to be had when you are aware that you are one with everyone else…and…with everyone else you share our world. This election is funny to me only because it has made people have to take a stand in regard to their own come-from. What they really feel, believe…fear:)… What a wonderful gift it is when someone holds a mirror to your face and says look in there and tell me what you see…

I'm not voting for McCain/Palin - because I personally know people who I think could do a better job, I'm tired of the same old status quo of lashing out at the other guy. I think McCain has too many health issues, graduated bottom of his class? and Palin…I won't even go there (read my blog), but the last time a women winked at me she was asking me out to dinner - LOL.

I am not voting for Barack because he's black - I actually know he's black & white…which is pretty cool…everybody's best interest at heart is his natural come from for him. I was voting for Hilary because I thought she had what it might take to get us out of this mess (you know she's a mathematical genius? and married to a former president who had the deficit at $0) - but, let's face it, if you can't run your campaign…you sure can't run the country! So… at somepoint she loss my vote and then I had to really pay attention to who was left and what they had to say…

and yes, I cheated…I also paid attention to their energy:) If it is the energy of the now that we have as a gift to do that for which we came…amazingly glorious things. or if it is of the past…a past that need not be lived again.

I love that so many people are having to ask themselves where they stand in regard to race (don't like that term) - complexions, skin-tones, prejudices…I am happy that they have had to ask themselves and answer a question that they might normally get to avoid. What is that question?

If Barack Obama looked like his mother instead of his father, would you vote for him? - My brother asked a co-worker - who keeps engaging him (lol) - if Obama was 100% white (wow, are there still Americans who are 100% white- LOL)…if he was, would he vote for him and the guy said…”I'd have to think about it.” and then before my brohter could say anything he said “wait that doesn't mean I'm prejudice”…and my brother said…”what does it mean?”

I LOVE THIS ELECTION!!!! It's my daughter's first time to vote! And…wow… How cool it is to be here now:) A friend told me…you're always so deep…everything isn't deep or doesn't have to be - LOL, LOL…well, it's not that I'm so deep…it's just that I'm not shallow:)

I LOVE ALL OF YOU…Americans and non-Americans…Blacks & non-Blacks:)…Men….Women…Children…Enemies…and of course…my friends - I know a secret…me and that kkk member are best of spiritual friends when we're not here…when we're not in skin…they just don't remember then:) Isn't human-life just the greatest game ever invented!

we are one
aki
I'm voting for the guy who makes me believe I'd be proud to say…Yes, I'm American…and that's my President…he happens to be Obama.

Re: light for a US election process...

“This is what I've found…when you love who you are…it is ever so easy to love everyone else:) I happen to love everyone else…I know we're all from the same parent…and just don't happen to have the same complexions:)…yet…we have the same organs don't we:)…when you don't love yourself…it's easier to channel that negative feeling to someone else than to deal with the issues of not loving who you are. It is easier to blame someone else for what you feel is lacking in you or in your life.”

I've found this too…  when you love who you are, it is ever so easy to love everyone else.   yes. yes. yes.  when I extend lovingkindness to myself, I have more lovingkindness to extend to others.  when I care for myself properly – eat right, sleep enough, exercise, play and work–  I have more to share with others.  when I take time to meditate, I suddenly have more energy for living and giving. 

I am voting for Obama for so many reasons — one is that it's apparent that he takes time to reallly care for himself and his family and because he does so, he has the peace of mind to go out into the world and listen to others and give of himself. 

I am so proud of how his campaign has been run.  He has not personally attacked anyone.  He has indeed disagreed with the ideologies and policies of his opponents, but never have I heard him belittle another's character.  He has truly been able to disagree without being disagreable, even when the attacks hurled at him would have possibly led a weaker person to take the bait.  He has shown real leadership in running a grueling 20 month campaign.

I agree with you Aki— I am voting for Obama because I want a leader for our country who represents the thoughtfulness, hard work, dedication, kindness, decency, generosity of our country.  We have had a leader who represents the fearfulness, the defensivenss, the smallness for too long now. 

I wish John McCain every kindness, but he has not shown himself to be a good leader.  During this campaign he has not shown that he has the best interests of this country at heart.  He really seems to have only his own ambitions at heart and that saddens me because I think it probably saddens him, deeply. 

When we work for our own happiness it illudes us.  When we work for the happiness of others, we find ourselves suddenly filled with happiness.  I think this must be why we seldom see anything but peaceful confidence from Barack Obama.  I think he is really working for the happiness of all.

Re: light for a US election process...

~Jaki:  I love it, truly - I am a lover of all things that make people think, feel, awaken and try to find themselves in a mirror.~

I posted this on Dawns blog, but it bears repeating:

“Listen to the stories.  You want to help the world?  Read the poetry of the people we're bombing.  Write poetry for them.  Sing songs for them, and for us.  And listen to everybody.

You cannot control how diverse any room is, or any institution, or any policy.  But you can control how diverse you are, and who you love and who you listen to.

So tonight, don't go hang out with your mirrors (whether that's physical or ideological).  Go find somebody you disagree with, and go hang out.

In a perfect world, Barney Frank and Jesse Helms are best friends.”

Sherman Alexie Source: speech, Rutgers University, October 10, 2001; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WUA8vL1L5Q&feature=related ~~

Re: light for a US election process...

Had to run, there, but wanted to add some comments on your post, jaki…

I loved your story about being taken for a nanny in NY - I so wish that woman had stuck around so that you could have shared your awesome viewpoint with her.  I have two friends who were nannies, and it is one of the most unappreciated jobs out there, the love it takes, the pay it (doesn't) bring, the life you don't (can't) have, and above all, the lack of respect - oh, you're 'just' the nanny.  I've lived in communities where anyone with small children was taken for a nanny, regardless of skin color, demeanor, or any other factor - like, oh, if you're out with children, you must be the help, because their so-important parents are off making millions - you know, doing the serious,  'important' work of society.  It's crazy we live in a country where raising children is valued so little.  Incidentally, there's a children's picture book called The Friend, by Sarah Stewart David Small, about a child growing up with a black nanny best friend…

As for your friends confiding their fears at encountering a black man on the street - I hope you are not laughing at them, and maybe having some good conversation with them about why that is?  I think people need to exercise their thought muscles sometimes - they're afraid, but they're thinking, no, it's wrong to be prejudicial, and they want to run this by you to see what you think - you, their authority on the subject - we're so funny sometimes - like with the elections too - drumroll, please… 'and now, let's get a Black Opinion' - or women's opinion, or whatever - like these are things as distinct as weather reports and there is ONE person who is the authority on 'What Women Want' or whatever (we do this to ourselves, too - the whole 'Women Against Palin' thing - or 'Christians Against Bush' demonstrates this self-identification with a group that then gets projected out).  I always laugh (groaningly) at this whole 'there are two Americas' thing - cause there are SO many more than two, and sometimes, one person is the only bridge another person has to learn about these strange territories. 

This was really brought home to me recently when I was having a discussion about race with a group of women, and one of the questions asked was: when was the first time you saw a black person.  And I thought: huh?  Then I realized that all these women were in their fifties, sixties, and seventies, and not only were they all raised before integration, most were from Western states, and small towns at that…  Literally, some of these women had not even seen a coloured face (any colour) before adulthood.  They all had memories to share, like when JFK was shot or something.  That just blew me away.  All these white women were thinking: 'we've' all had the 'typical' white experience (which theirs maybe was, given their geography).  And I was the youngun with the completely different experience…

One of my best friends in gradeschool was black, and I never had really realized just how improbable (if not impossible) that would have  been just a generation past.  Even more startling, looking back, was that as a child I had not even realized my friend was 'black' (i.e., racially different from myself).  I realized this because, when I was in second grade or so, I was called a racial slur on the playground (kids saying a forbidden 'bad' word), and I went home in tears (somebody didn't like me!).  When I told my parents what I'd been called, my dad matter-of-factly stated that that word was just another word for black (not a very good one, implied).  I immediately pictured the paint pot in my Richard Scarry book - black, the color (this happened again when I heard Johnny Depp saying 'weaselly black hearts' - my archetype for 'blackness' apparently, is copyrighted by Richard Scarry).  Back then, I had no conception of a black person - i.e., a 'race', despite the fact that one of my best friends was 'black' (she always insisted she was cocoa-brown!)  When I asked why they called me that (but da-aaad, I wasn't even wearing black, etc.) - my dad, bless his heart, just said 'it doesn't mean anything.'  Looking back, I am glad that he didn't sigh deeply and decide to give me one of those talks (like the kind my mom gave me when I asked what the tampon container in her purse was for) - those 'you're old enough now, young lady, to learn about how this mad world works' talks.  So, confident that my dad was right, 'that doesn't mean anything,' I snottily told anyone who used that word in my hearing, and my confidence hushed them right up, since they of course had no idea what it meant anyway.  Eventually, I figured things out on my own, as we usually do with taboo words.  But all these women had heard all the words and had all sorts of ideas about what black meant, all before ever even meeting someone black.  It's like hearing a different language from infancy - if you're exposed to this 'differentness' you just think it's normal, and if you're not, it's strange (and different seems to equate with threatening for a lot of people).
 
Anyway, all this to say, that we all have vastly different experiences depending on age, 'race,' gender, geography, political bias, etc., etc. - not to mention individual factors unique to each person - so that often, we're not speaking the same language even when we're speaking the same language (Russell Hoban).  So, when friends want to run something by you, I think it's important to bridge those gaps and share stories, even if you get tired sometimes of being the 'arbiter of blackness' or whatever subject you are their 'specialist' on ('you like George Bush?' I got asked all the time in France until I wanted to SCREAM).  I think people who broach topics that are difficult are genuinely reaching out, no matter how cliched they may sound, no matter how sick you may get of the same 'dumb' questions over and over (at least I did), and it's worth taking the time (and squashing the impatience) to open up a dialogue that otherwise may never occur in that person's life.

Also, I think a woman expressing fear over encountering a black man (any man) on the street - especially a dark, deserted, unfamiliar street, and a tall, dark, unfamiliar man - as these scenarios tend to run - is talking about a response that goes way deeper than race, and just wants reassurance that she shouldn't abandon common sense for political correctness.  As Gavin DeBecker said in preface to his phenomenal book The Gift of Fear (how NOT to be paranoid, should be the subtitle), 'Men of all ages and in all parts of the world are more violent than women. When it comes to violence…. politically correct would be statistically incorrect.' 

Fear is endemic to America, and not completely unfounded - we live in a violent country (let's change that!).  I was amazed, walking the deserted back streets of the capital of the Netherlands late, late at night, how completely safe and secure I felt - completely at ease, without the need to be on guard.  When I tried explaining to my Dutch friend that we don't do this in America - that in big cities, it's not considered safe for women to walk late at night, she completely misunderstood me and, brow furrowed, said yes, she had heard that Americans did not get a lot of exercise. She didn't even know what I was talking about!  Again, parallel world views, walking side by side…

I agree that the media blows all out of proportion this supposed 'black' violence - violent crime in general is the lowest its been in years (yet the prison population is skyrocketing - go figure), yet you'd never know it watching the breathless reports on tv.  But while I think it is indeed prejudicial to believe some generalization like 'blacks are violent,' I think it's equally ridiculous to generalize and say that blacks - or Native Americans - are/were 'the most peaceful.' 

First of all, it completely obliterates the distinctions between different tribes and cultures and languages that exist within these arbitrary definitions of 'race' (I dislike that word, too).  Some were violent, some were not.  And secondly, I think it is completely disingenuous and just plain wrong to say that there aren't any stories of slaves killing or burning down houses, etc.  Throughout history, slaves (of any 'race,' culture, or time) have revolted against tyranny, often violently, usually with devastating consequences for themselves.  It happened in America's history with slavery, too (surely more than 50 years!).  It just goes with the territory of oppression.  When such rebellions are successful (love the Rob Brezsny quote - are they ever successful?), they are praised and get called 'revolutions.'  If unsuccessful, they are merely 'uprisings' - or, what was that word the media used in Iraq, that then they changed, and caught hell for that, too - ah, yes 'insurgency' - a properly obscure word.  If we like them, they're freedom fighters, and if we don't, they're terrorists - so the language dictates 'reality,' from past to present. 

I love everything you said about being black and proud!  And I laugh along with you at all the folks tossing piles of money at looking darker, curvier, whatever - how times change!  My grandmother once told me, with haunted eyes, how her sister was the pretty one and got all the men (and thus, chances in life) because she was round and plump, while my grandmother, stick thin, was always on the sidelines of life - oh, if only she had been born for those anorexic  'Well the straight-haired girls, they all want curls, and the brunettes wanna be blonde…'

And this you said: 'when you love who you are…it is ever so easy to love everyone else…when you don't love yourself…it's easier to channel that negative feeling to someone else than to deal with the issues of not loving who you are. It is easier to blame someone else for what you feel is lacking in you or in your life.' Yes, yes, yes!!

But coming back to this election, this I love, too…

'I am also a lover of all things that shine a light so brightly that truths are exposed that would otherwise be hidden. That is part of what this election is doing.'

-and-

'This election is funny to me only because it has made people have to take a stand in regard to their own come-from. What they really feel, believe…fear:)… What a wonderful gift it is when someone holds a mirror to your face and says look in there and tell me what you see…'

-and-

'I love that so many people are having to ask themselves where they stand in regard to race (don't like that term) - complexions, skin-tones, prejudices…I am happy that they have had to ask themselves and answer a question that they might normally get to avoid.'

YES!  As Wayne Dyer says, you squeeze an orange, you get orange juice; you squeeze you, you get what's inside, too.  This election is squeezing people, and out is coming a lot of rage and confuion and hatred… and patience and love and excitement and growth and pride and joy - oh yay!! 

Me, I'm very confused by all the vitriol (on BOTH sides).  I think Palin stirred the pot in that regard even more than Obama - wow, the negativity directed at that woman takes my breath away… I send her double helpings of light - and lots of winks, LOL (I haven't yet observed this tic, though I admire people who can wink with panache - just today a stranger winked at me - SO charming!) 

A lot of gunk is boiling up, and I find it super refreshing that all the bandages are being pulled off, and that people are actually out there talking with each other about things they never talked about before in mixed company.  Let's keep talking, changing, growing… spreading the light… knowing that we're all in this great big stew pot together…

Loving the 100% whites (are there any left? - lmao!!) - and the 100% blacks and the blues and the reds and the browns and the yellows and the sienna umbers and the salmon pinks and every last one of our rich and poor and lost and found fellow human brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers…

Re: light for a US election process...

:):) Tsuya, I love the entirety of what you've expressed from your personal experiences to the comments on mine. I am ever so tempted to just send that I love what you wrote and leave it there instead of picking up on any one area of it as it is a complete work that is well written (felt like I was reading a magazine article:) and perfectly expressed.

I am highly aware of slave uprisings, my statement is more toward the amounts being minimal in comparison with the years of slavery and the numbers of slaves. - If you've been reading my writings…you know they can get very long! So, I often briefly mention something because it within itself is another thread or pod! lol…That includes the friend who expressed her fear of black men - and that was well before this election. It wasn't dark, late he wasn't tall or scary, it was mid-day - he was dressed casually and she was dropping bags trying to get into a cab when he naturally reached to help her. She told me of her shame, because all he did was help her - he was a gentleman.

And yes, all people have some history of violence, but in the US I dare say it, it is more of the victim being victimized. We didn't enslave anyone, we didn't kill off the natives and claim the land for ourselves.

Although most were sold from Africans - it is because in African there was such a thing called an indentured slave - they weren't hung and brutally beaten, this would defeat the purpose which was for them to work for one family in order to pay off their families debts. It was noble. So, when people came looking for slaves, there was no reason to think it would be what it became.

What usually doesn't get mentioned in discussions is…we were separated from tribes and didn't even speak the same language as the others we were put with in addition to the language here and literally had no idea what was happening. I have to say that we weren't on the whole violent, because if we were slavery would have ended long before it did. Most slaves just wanted to live. I say 50 years…as one of my quick comments that is really like when I say - are there any 100% whites left? Of course it lasted for more years than I care to say and seeing how segregation was just in my mom's generation - the effects are still here.

Yes, it could be another thread or is already a pod someplace:) Thank you for your just wonderfully expressed post!!! It is awesome exchanging with you…and just as an fyi…I had a friend who was “black” - of course no one is actually black or white are they? - and she didn't know it until high school - lol. No one in her family or area discussed things like that so when she was asked what her nationality was she said American…I laughed and when she said what's funny, I said nothing, you're absolutely right you are American. I recall the day when she said to me what do they mean am I black or spanish or mixed?

It is an interesting game we have setup for ourselves isn't it? Oh, the prison comment…yes…prisons are filling up yet crime is down - there's something to research:) Do you know how big the business of prison is? - Mercy…people are making a lot of money keeping people in jails…and a ton of money off of the labor they provide while in there. They make you believe all of these tax payer dollars are going into jails - oh yes, they're right! But…they aren't telling you who's making a profit off of the prisons and the prisoners:) - another day…another pod:)
I too am cocoa brown…actually, I consider myself dark chocolate or… earthtone:) I do have the conversations when opportunities present themselves…I am similar to you, I grew up in NYC and all of my life have seen all types of complexions and it is natural to me. So, yes, it does make you pause when you encounter people who haven't. I often do:) And seeing how I'm the person whose complexion they haven't seen - lol…it is very interesting for me too….sometimes pleasant…other times…lets just say interesting. There is a very old white woman in Hawaii that whenever I happened to walk past her would call me the “N” word, give me the finger - say things like “B” go home. She literally cursed me out for just existing.

I am so happy to be who I am. I am so happy that I can manage to not hate that woman. I feel sorry for her because she has lived so long and is still so ignorant. I actually smiled and my daughter said what's funny, I said, she's like what 90? She doesn't realize segregation is over? lol. She'll be dead soon (hum…I kinda have a gift of seeing people's paths and when they're ending:) - and then when she is in spirit form she will look back at me and smile and I will smile at her too, because she will be in the fullness of truth then and will remember how much she loves me. At that moment she'll know…

we are one
and that is why I'm smiling even though she is saying hateful things. She doesn't remember that she actually loves me and is love along with me…but…she will soon. I am already in the place she will travel to, one filled with love and joy and the knowledge, the truth…
we are one
so I can't hate her… because it would be like hating me too. I love her…because that is what you do when you know you are love.

aki

Re: light for a US election process...

tsuya, aki,

I am one of those who was raised in a very rural area in western colorado.  I didn't ever see a “black” person in person until I was a teenager.  I also never tasted chinese food until I was a teen.  I didn't even hear the music of the rolling stones until I was nearly an adult. 

very sheltered life I lived, and also not sheltered.  I watched the cosby show and solid gold.  I was subject to my own fair share of abuse. 

but I knew that it was wrong to treat people differenty because of how they looked or dressed.  the saying, “never judge a book by it's cover” was one I took to heart at a very young age.  I read everything I could ever get my hands on as a child and hence I vicariouly walked in many different shoes. 

when I ran away from home at the age of 15, to san francisco, where my boyfriend had moved to live with his dad, it was the first time in my life that I was the “minority”.  I lived in the Tenderloin.  I found myself often the only white person on the bus or in the building where I lived.  I walked home from work at night through the blocks where the adult “bookstores” and cheap liquor stores and peepshows were.  I was often joined along my walk my men who offered to get me a “job”.  there was definitely dangerous black men along my walks and in my building, but there were sweet, loving, protective ones too. 

in my late teens I went to a party after a concert with some punk kids.  at the party was a skinhead.  he was spewing some nasty, nasty retoric at a friend of mine for being “unwhite”.  we had a long discussion that night.  I don't know if he left the party thinking any differently.  but my argument went along the lines of “there is good and bad in everyone and every race and every profession and every neighborhood and etc…”  I have met some pretty violent and dangerous white boys in my time and some pretty nasty, violent girls for that matter. 

I have a friend who not only doesn't seem to notice people's nationality or race, but gets in trouble with his wife all the time because he doesn't notice what people are wearing, including his wife.  he sees what's coming from the inside, not what the outside looks like. 

I've gotten into trouble with significant others over the years because I converse with men and women in the same way.  I've been accused of flirting with other men, when what I was actually doing is having a fully engaged, interesting conversation, just like i would with a woman.  the gender or age or color or class of the person I'm talking with doesn't matter to me– it's the content of the conversation that I find stimulating. 

I think we all have to deal with stereotypes in life.  my husband works as a police officer.  I had a friend who likes to identify herself as a hard core anarchist who posted an image on her myspace account shortly after I started living with my husband.  It said, “the only good cop is a dead cop” or something like that.  when I saw it I was so hurt.  I wondered for quiet awhile how to respond and finally decided that I had to post a comment on the image.  I said something like this…  “I'm so disappointed to see you've joined the ranks of the ignorant haters.  I've always thought of you as too intelligent to condemn all of a group based on the actions of the few.  I'm also incredibly sad that you've obviously had a very bad experience with some police officer somewhere– enough that you would want someone dead.  and I'm sad that people in the world would wish adam harm because of some opinion they have of some police office somewhere.”   She took the image down.  she didn't ever mention it again.  i don't know how she felt or why she decided to put it up in the first place.  she only communicated sporadically before that and even less so now, but I did feel that I had to say what I said.  i think silence in the face of nastiness is a sort of condoning of it and I'm not able to tolerate hateful speech toward any group of people. 

i always remind myself that are two places to come from in life, fear or love.  when I encounter hate– I realize it is a kind of fear and the only way to respond is with love and understanding.  anger in all of my experience can be boiled down to fear.  greed is fear based.  etc, etc.  I choose to choose love.  I'm not perfect, but I keep reaffirming my intention to be a force of love in the world.  I think that is the best we can do. 

Re: light for a US election process...

Dawn!  Your words are wondrous!!  It really does seem that either there is love, or fear (in the choice to turn away from love).

I too choose to choose Love!!  And to continue to reaffirm my intention to be a force of love in the world. 

YES.  Yes yes yes. Yesssssssss.

You wrote:  I always remind myself that are two places to come from in life, fear or love.  when I encounter hate– I realize it is a kind of fear and the only way to respond is with love and understanding.  anger in all of my experience can be boiled down to fear.  greed is fear based.  etc, etc.  I choose to choose love.  I'm not perfect, but I keep reaffirming my intention to be a force of love in the world.  I think that is the best we can do. 

The best we can do is be a force of love in the world.

WOW.  Is that not one of the sweetest, most powerful, most joyful states possible?  Sometimes it takes courage, oh oh indeed, great courage!  But mostly??, ahhhhhh, love spreading love BEing love radiating love and light is a way of ease and effortless JOY, and sublime purpose….

Bless you for your kind and gentle heart!  Deep bows.  Peace and love.

Re: light for a US election process...

willow my dear,

whenever I feel my resolve fading.  I'll think of you and then I'll be a much stronger force of love than I ever was before.  :-) 

here's to life and love and laughter and llllllevitation.  :-) 

and light, since we're on the light pod.  :-)

-d 

Re: light for a US election process...

“Meenakshi,” a friend just called me [no–she's not on Gaia!],”I think you are pro-Obama, but can I send you something that came in my email?”

“I'm pro-light,” I told her, gently. As I am not directly involved in voting, I feel that is the best way for me to be. This helps people not to feel closed off; which they need for me; as some of them are healing from various wounds, and I have to be supportive of them.

I realized it would be an attack on him; and I have received some from others as well. So I let her know that I see things with light –or reaching out to light–and yes, of course, if you want to send something to me, by all means, do so.

What I didn't say, is: if the first few sentences are hate-filled, I just can't read on.

Re: light for a US election process...

hum…maybe you should let her know that if it is hate filled you probably won't read it…because that isn't what being pro-light is:)

I watched an interview with Charlie Sheen and the entire family - it was a special VH1 decided to do some time ago basically saying who is of this cultural background/ethnicity - that you probably didn't know… Well, the Sheen family also has Emilo Estivez…hum… Of course as it turns out, their father changed his name to Sheen because he said he was able to get more acting jobs if people didn't know his heritage. His son (I'm happy to say) was proud of his name/heritage and risked his career.

I have never had issues like these…maybe why I can be so open, honest and forthright is simple…everywhere I go, everyone there knows…I'm black. Not being able to hide is probably why I decided to come in as a black woman - an inability to hide from who I am lead me to the fullness of who I am and empowers me to say what I stand for…It doesn't mean I love anyone less, on the contrary it is what helps me love them more.

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

Although not quite the same thing; it's similar: how non-whites –or is it non-Christians?– feel the need to Anglicize /Americanize their names when they live here. Wonder what they'd have called Jesus if he wanted to immigrate to the west!

Come to think  of it; wasn't his name something else? Isa, perhaps? In HIndi he's called Isa Masih.

coming back to the email; if I can get myself to open and read it; THEN I will tell her what i think; not before.

Re: light for a US election process...

LOL - I overstand:)… I realize that even when a person happens to be sharing something seemingly negative, they are hoping you will be able to help bring them to a place of positive energy. I have often told friends you know me well enough to have known that I probably wouldn't stand by that since it is not uplifting to anyone, so you have to figure that's part of the reason you wanted to discuss it with me:)

You are an extremely positive person, people who are reaching out to you are hoping to get that energy from you and for it to some how improve/help them to live who they really are. You are a reminder of our true selves, our highest selves.

I have no doubt that you will have the perfect words for her and feel free to tap into some of my energy to help get through whatever that email says:)

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

Marcella - I actually don't think it's great for the country just because one person is mixed and one is female - it's really not about their skin color or sex it's about their come-from.

Alaska has the highest number of rapes in the country and a female governor - who by the way wanted to make it a law that they pay for their own rape kits - this concerns me. She would like to overturn roe vs wade - even though she has a teenage daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock and used that same law to be able to decide if she would keep her baby. I've watched & listened to her not have answers to simple questions and repeat things she already said - I'm not impressed by being winked at while she “speaks” to the American people - and says things like gonna, you betcha. If Obama was speaking in slang he'd been gone a long time ago. Public speaking 101 in high school covers this.  I don't like being spoken down to or flirted with when someone is discussing our future as a country.

If , Obama, like McCain, graduated bottom of his class out of 899 students was 894, I wouldn't be impressed. He's been talking about a lot of inspiring things, one of my favorites is to get the American people back involved in the government by the people for the people. But ultimately, it is up to you to actually listen to their speeches/debates and hear what they do and don't stand for. Do some research, it's fairly easy to find out what they've done - not the propaganda.

Yes, we have a woman and a man who is black & white running for office, it is about time - but they aren't anywhere near the same so it is a huge difference in choice. Palin's constant attempts to say that Obama is connected to terrorism have placed his life in jeopardy and even after McCain has made a point of saying he is no way involved in terrorism and is a good person - she continues to incite ideals of his having a connection - she doesn't even respect the person who's ticket she's on.

One thing is for sure - politics as usual means, you have to vote for whomever you believe will be the best candidate, that doesn't matter what they look like or what sex they are, that boils down to what they stand for.

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

I agree with Aki.  I think it's not that great to have a woman on the ballot if she's not the best person for the job.  I think that it's wonderful that we, as a country would be wiling to vote for a woman if she was the best candidate, but I, too, think that Palin is not a good candidate.  She doesn't represent me in any way.  I'm a woman, but that's not the point.  I will vote for Obama because I care about education for all, health care for all, this planet, clean, sustainable, renewable energy, healthy communities, diplomacy with the other countries we share this wonderful planet with and honesty.  Obama has been honest about who he is and what he stands for and what he wants for this country.  He apologizes when he makes a mistake.  He behaves like a dignified, thoughtful, intelligent, caring human being.  Palin behaves in a disrepectful, hateful and fearmongering way.  She not only attacks, but attacks in a dishonest way.  There are big differences in what policies these candidates stand for and big differences in the ways they go about getting what they want.  I'll be voting for Obama/Biden and singing – ”it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me– and I'm feeling good”  on nov. 5th!! 

Re: light for a US election process...

Re: light for a US election process...

~kes   whenever I'm asked I'll vote to let anyone who wants to get married do so.  I think god loves love and doesn't care who loves who as long as they are loving.  I don't think god wants us to condemn anyone– let them face their god on their own judgement day– if there is indeed such a thing, but I'm not judging anyone. 

however– if you're trying to make up your mind between obama and mccain, you may want to note that they are both against gay marriage but for civil unions.

and here's a touch more food for thought for the election…..


Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?…..  think about it. Would the country's  collective point of view be different? How much is race a factor?

Ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe
disfiguring car accident?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable
organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard? (Michelle Obama did)

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five?
(The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included
discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list.  If these questions reflected reality,
do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes
positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:
Columbia  University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware -  B.A. i n History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United  States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of  899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University -  1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters -  general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters -  journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1  semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A.  in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but  this is about the two highest offices in
the land  as well as our standing in the world. You make the call

Re: light for a US election process...

Thank you everyone for writing on this thread.

Just a little reminder for continuing this conversation: we can each share our thoughts; but in keeping with the vibration of oneness and light; we do not need to persuade each other to change our minds or even to question anyone's choices.

Thank you.

Re: light for a US election process...

:) I have the same post on my profile.

This is and has been a wonderful exchange. As each of us contributes we all grow into the experiences of one another. Thank you to everyone writing and all of those reading - I'm hoping this election will bring about a change. One in which the quality of life for the masses replaces the feeding of the greedy few. While I've read how it won't be quick or easy - I know for sure that all journey's start with a step…

As I think of all of the sharing done on this thread and what I could possibly share with you next, I come to a place of feeling blessed, for my mother and her mother did not have a sharing as open and honest as this. They were the ones who had to be careful and drink where the signs said they could. To hide any friendship they managed to have with someone nonblack:) I have 2 uncles in my family line that where sent to prison once it was found out they were black - they happened to pass for white and joined the army as such.

Ultimately we aren't where we should be, where we could be, where we'd like to be…But I am ever so thankful that we are not where we were. I am thankful to everyone who stood up, sat down, went to prison, marched, walked, hoped, prayed and even died. While we consider our candidates I consider my ancestors, I'm not proud to have a black/white candidate running for the Presidency of the U.S. - I proud to have a black/white candidate who has the integrity, intelligence, sincerity, hope, genuineness and passion not only for this country but for the world.

Even as I deal with the few who are still living in an unaware state, I know that discussions like these will always outweigh their hate. We have come here for reasons that are beyond flesh…beyond country lines…religious ties…and even beyond our own personal desires. I hope that we as spirits having a human experience will quiet our minds and let our souls guide us and remember that we are all the love that we've all come to receive and we are all the love that we'll ever need - if only we would be loving one to the other, each one to each - we would end all of the things we hope our leaders would  stop. We would end poverty, war, hunger, disease, hatred, homelessness, greed, murder, rape - all dark and all negativity. We are the ones, we are the majority, we have the power to do all of these glorious things.

Maybe if we could remember who we really are, that from which we all come from, we all return to and can choose to be a representative of - the Grand Architect, the Source of Consciousness, the Creator - even from the beauty of the trees, the flowers, the lions, the stars, the oceans - so too are we…so incredibly amazing are we. We should not settle for less than to be what we are naturally - divine.

Yes, I'd like for us to vote for Obama…but honestly…I will love you no matter who you vote for…I am in the knowledge of being love. Yet I will leave you with this, if you voted for Bush and aren't happy with the way things have been…maybe it's time for you to consider change…and since you're on this site…I can only imagine…that you're spirit is already guiding you to a world within the world that is possible…if you first believe and then…join those of us who spend our time and energy on turning that belief into reality.

Vote from a place of peace, love, knowledge, power and joy…not from fear or hatred…but from your spirit. No one will be in that booth except you…and all of those who have fought and died before us - hoping we would one day live together in a world where the number one cause of death is old age and we look at each other no matter what sex, no matter what color and we only see the same thing…

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process:coherence call for aftermath

Re: light for a US election process:Global Ceremony Nov. 2nd

Sunday, November 2, 1:30-3PM PST/4.30-6PM EST/9:30-11PM GMT
Global Ceremony
The Global Ceremony is the peak event of the WiseUSA ‘O8 program. Join people around the world in meditation, prayers, and celebration during this two-hour ceremony. Gatherings in Washington D.C., San Jose, and other major cities will be linked by videoconference, and the ceremony will be broadcast via live audio to a global online audience.

Time: November 2, 2008 1:30-3PM PST/4:30-6PM EDT/9:30-11PM GMT
Location: The whole world
Event Type: Global, Meditation/Prayer
Organized By: David Nicol

Link with people around the world in silent meditation, prayer, and celebration to call forth wisdom from America, for the benefit of the entire Earth community. Live gatherings will occur at the All Soul's Church, Washington D.C, Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, San Jose, and at other venues in other major cities. These gatherings will be linked by videoconference for a 90 minute ceremony involving meditation, prayer and music. The ceremony will be broadcast live online to a global audience.

Get the broadcast

Re: light for a US election process...Obama's Grandmother

…and so this seems like an appropriate place to post that Obama's Grandmother has returned to pure spiritual form - She passed away today at the age of 86.

For those interested in reading the CNN report it can be found here - yet, I'm sure we shall all send him light, love & positive energy. These days will be ones he shall never forget.

we are one
aki

Re: light for a US election process...

Thank you, aki. What a life she had! What experiences for Obama this year has brought.

I've re-posted your message on the other thread also: Re: All Souls' Day/ Day of those who've passed

Today, as I drove  home, I've felt light flowing towards all those who stand in long lines to vote, honoring the ones mentioned earlier in this thread, who have fought for people's right to vote.

There was a report about  how some blacks are worried about being allowed to vote, without unnecessary –unlawful–demands being placed on them. I feel light flowing towards them, for a beautiful, historic day.

I feel light flowing towards all those who vote with love, and a knowing of the turning point in America's life. It is an honor to be a part of this.

Re: light for a US election process...

Yes, oh my sweet heavens, the energy that is flowing!  I am thrilled to be alive during this exciting time. 

We send the light of Love and Peace to all who are involved, of whatever party mindset cultural paradigm :), it matters not!  We are one, hand-in-hand, rising to a joyous and wondrous expansion, a deeper understanding of who we really are.  Difficulties will be there; but those are only the starting points for ever more focused intentions for good. 

YES, may we send light towards all those who vote with love, in wide-open compassionate hearts, in what it is to be a beautiful, historic day.