RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 1, 2011, Weekly editorial
Irene means peace?
In the aftermath of the worst of Hurricane Irene, a dear friend was out walking her dogs in the middle of Merrick Road, in an area closed to vehicular traffic, when four black SUVs pulled up. “Uh, Oh! I'm in trouble now,” she thought. Instead, she was introduced to County Executive Ed Mangano.
The hurricane/tropical storm that was called Irene (a name that means “peace”) was anything but peaceful. But it did bring unprecedented cooperation between levels of government of various political persuasions that helped spare countless lives through mandatory evacuations and shutdowns of bridges, railroads and mass transit systems. This would surely be a model for any future terrorist attack.
Now, we face the cleanup, which will be costly to many in a time of economic stress and an increase of income to others. We expect our government will continue to be helpful in this, as it already has by deploying the National Guard to help clean up.
Flip. Flip. Flip.
Imagine you are in an auditorium listening to a motivational speaker. He asks everyone to close their eyes (no cheating!). Then he asks everyone who is “prejudiced” to raise a hand.
What does he mean by that? There is no special clarification, except that you know that he is African-American.
We know that in some ways we all prejudge people, by their clothes, their speech, their age, race or religion. That can be with good intentions, as in wanting to help an elderly person across the street. Or it can be with evil intentions, as in hating someone merely because of their religion.
You decide not to raise your hand, feeling that you do not harbor any grudges or animosity to any group, especially African-Americans.
Then, the speaker asks those who have raised their hands to stand up. "Flip, flip, flip" you hear seats go up as several people stand up. The speaker tells everyone to open their eyes, and there you see who is standing. He thanks them for their honesty, and they sit down.
You are not sure exactly what the message was, but it is clear that people who might have thought no one would know they were prejudiced lost that illusion fast.
This weekend was the anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech on the Washington Mall. It was also to be the inauguration of a memorial in his honor, on par with the memorials to some of our most famous presidents.
It is ironic that the weekend followed a widespread earthquake and included a monumental hurricane. Mother Nature has reminded us that we are all human beings. Prayer has reminded us that there is a power stronger than Mother Nature.
We thank all our Facebook friends for sharing photos of the aftermath of the storm, helping inform those who were without power or far from home.
