Reality, Faith, Kindness

"Gross National Product counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them. It counts the destruction of the redwood and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and counts nuclear warheads and armored cars for the police to fight the riots in our cities. It counts Whitman's rifle and Speck's knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children. Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans." -Robert F. Kennedy Attorney General of the United States

Yesterday was an exciting day in many ways. We went to one of sites that helps provide resources to teachers that often work in underprivileged schools and areas. I felt really inspired while doing the work because it used several skills that I have extensive experience with (namely, open boxes, breaking them down, and counting pallets...). In many ways, I struggled to keep my mind out of the political questions that creep in concerning many issues of social justice (this would only get exponentially worse/better as the day went on). 
That evening our groups were sent into the city to help personally impact someone and learn more about the realities of the city. Real people, real tasks, real challenges. I was able to do mine well (talking business people into giving me free food is another thing to list on the resume). However, I was really impacted by one of the residents of the street we met. I'll call him Luke for the purpose of this blog. Luke was a member of the United States Navy and went into his struggle with claiming military benefits, etc. He was very well spoken and articulate (while the other members of my groups were just nodding along with what he was saying because it was very bureaucracy-ese, I was eating it up). He talked about the need for government, the need for balance between interests, and was very balanced in the way he presented it. And, he was homeless. 


It was hard for me to listen to this. Luke reminded me of another person that I know very, very well. That man is my father. My father was a member of the United States Navy. My father has always been reasonable and articulate with me and raised me to see both sides of issues. And, it was just tough. 


So, this was the apex of what I call my political brain exploding. It was numb. How less than 6 blocks from the halls of Congress was this possible? Well, I don't have an answer and I probably never will. The answer I do have are that those we are meek shall inherit the Earth. These past few days have really made me grapple with many issues and constantly reevaluate to persistently seek truth. 


-Tim