Recently I completed the book Eat. Pray. Love. by Elizabeth Gilbert and saw the movie starring Julia Roberts. For me, the book was transformative. I completely identified with the author's journey to self-actualization, inner peace, and personal happiness. When I began reading the book, I couldn't stop talking about it to friends and family, but as Gilbert's story took her to an Indian ashram to study yoga, I stopped talking.
I learned some time ago that most Christians - as most of my friends and acquaintances identify themselves - see exploration of other religions and forms of worship as a threat to their own. For many, questioning is the opposite of faith and not to be tolerated. I knew more than a few of them would be discomforted by the spiritual questions the book raises and the conclusions the author reaches. Extolling the virtues of the book was not worth the uneasy conversations I was sure would ensue.
I don't agree with much of the author's beliefs and have no plans to study with a yoga guru any time soon, but I believe that exploration within and outside of our belief system is healthy. While understanding the role of faith in religion, beliefs that flourish only in the absence of questions are not beliefs that will survive any real tests.
The ongoing discussion of creation vs evolution is one example of how dogged Christian views ignore science and make no room for an answer that lies outside the boundaries of Bible stories. Despite the wide variety of Biblical interpretations of concepts of hell, heaven and redemption from one denomination to the next, every one stands resolutely on their own, completely dismissing all others. Even Christians who question some elements of their faith, only whisper those questions and don't truly look for answers, certainly not outside their frame of reference. This narrow view is Christianity's greatest liability I think.
Surely truth is to be gleaned from many sources. Surely faith can exist in the face of questions - even those that go unanswered. Surely we can stand to open our ears and minds to other arguments and possibilities.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Black Media for the people, or for the dollar?
I am happy to hear the discussion that has come out of Essence magazine's hiring of Ellianna Placas, its first white fashion editor - as muted as that discussion as been. It is always a good time to talk about how well - or not - Black media is serving the Black community.
I have long opined the lack of a Black forum among the national issues discussions. Soledad O'Brian gets a couple of specials every year on being Black in America; Donna Brazile, Rolande Martin and Tavis Smiley are the official talking heads on all matters related to the dark-skinned; and BET has apparently given up on doing any substantive programming. There is no place where issues of national interest are discussed in the context of their effects on Black people in America. More than not acting in its best interest, some Black media are actually doing a disservice to the community.
Trite entertainment trumps valuable information on radio shows like The Steve Harvey Show and the Tom Joyner Show. Director/Producer Tyler Perry has proven that he can pull an audience to the movie theater with an interesting story, but seems to prefer to dumb-down his characters and his content on television. (Does any character on Meet the Browns represent you or anyone you know?) There are more pages dedicated to consumer products than education or edification in O, Essence and Ebony - despite the fact that Black Americans make less than 58 percent of what Anglo-Americans make in salary and are in more debt. On the Food Network's Down Home with the Neelys, Pat and Gina Neely never discuss healthful alternatives to their fat and sugar laden recipes, though African-Americans are particularly at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Long before Essence Magazine thought a white woman could represent the fashion tastes of its audience, popular Black Media has been absent in any movement for the betterment of Black people - or any people. We have been satisfied with just seeing color representations of ourselves on television and on magazine pages, and have not held the people who hold our eyes and ears to their social and political responsibilities. Selecting Ms. Placas is only the latest disrespect and disregard of our community. Frankly we deserve it. We have not thought to demand more.
I have long opined the lack of a Black forum among the national issues discussions. Soledad O'Brian gets a couple of specials every year on being Black in America; Donna Brazile, Rolande Martin and Tavis Smiley are the official talking heads on all matters related to the dark-skinned; and BET has apparently given up on doing any substantive programming. There is no place where issues of national interest are discussed in the context of their effects on Black people in America. More than not acting in its best interest, some Black media are actually doing a disservice to the community.
Trite entertainment trumps valuable information on radio shows like The Steve Harvey Show and the Tom Joyner Show. Director/Producer Tyler Perry has proven that he can pull an audience to the movie theater with an interesting story, but seems to prefer to dumb-down his characters and his content on television. (Does any character on Meet the Browns represent you or anyone you know?) There are more pages dedicated to consumer products than education or edification in O, Essence and Ebony - despite the fact that Black Americans make less than 58 percent of what Anglo-Americans make in salary and are in more debt. On the Food Network's Down Home with the Neelys, Pat and Gina Neely never discuss healthful alternatives to their fat and sugar laden recipes, though African-Americans are particularly at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Long before Essence Magazine thought a white woman could represent the fashion tastes of its audience, popular Black Media has been absent in any movement for the betterment of Black people - or any people. We have been satisfied with just seeing color representations of ourselves on television and on magazine pages, and have not held the people who hold our eyes and ears to their social and political responsibilities. Selecting Ms. Placas is only the latest disrespect and disregard of our community. Frankly we deserve it. We have not thought to demand more.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Where is personal responsibility?
The Center for Science in the Public Interest announced last week that it will file suit against McDonald's if the company does not stop using Happy Meal toys to promote their kids' meals. The organization likens McDonald's practice to "the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children."
U.S. lawmakers are considering requiring hybrid cars to have synthetic car sounds because the usually quiet cars are endangering cyclists and pedestrians.
Parents complain misbehaving celebrities are poor role models. The fast food industry gets blamed for the country's obesity epidemic. Schools are doing something wrong if students are not doing well. What ever happened to personal responsibility and accountability? It seems everyone wants to pass on blame for their own poor choices.
Here are some novel ideas: Say no to your kid when they ask for McDonald's, or go and make a healthy choice from the menu. Get off the phone, turn down your iPod, look both ways before you cross, and pay attention when you walk on the street. Use all your senses on the road and don't wait for a revving engine or blaring horn to bring you back to consciousness. Teach your children the importance of education, to respect others, and to make good choices.
We have gone from a society that took responsibility for others beyond ourselves, to a society of people not wanting to accept responsibility even for our own food consumption. Now I know this argument taken to its extreme could be construed as uncharacteristically un-socialist of me, but I think personal responsibility does not negate government responsibility in matters affecting the public good. Government agencies are right to encourage the decreased use of trans fats in foods. Consumers are responsible for their portion sizes and should be able to avoid getting hit by a Prius.
U.S. lawmakers are considering requiring hybrid cars to have synthetic car sounds because the usually quiet cars are endangering cyclists and pedestrians.
Parents complain misbehaving celebrities are poor role models. The fast food industry gets blamed for the country's obesity epidemic. Schools are doing something wrong if students are not doing well. What ever happened to personal responsibility and accountability? It seems everyone wants to pass on blame for their own poor choices.
Here are some novel ideas: Say no to your kid when they ask for McDonald's, or go and make a healthy choice from the menu. Get off the phone, turn down your iPod, look both ways before you cross, and pay attention when you walk on the street. Use all your senses on the road and don't wait for a revving engine or blaring horn to bring you back to consciousness. Teach your children the importance of education, to respect others, and to make good choices.
We have gone from a society that took responsibility for others beyond ourselves, to a society of people not wanting to accept responsibility even for our own food consumption. Now I know this argument taken to its extreme could be construed as uncharacteristically un-socialist of me, but I think personal responsibility does not negate government responsibility in matters affecting the public good. Government agencies are right to encourage the decreased use of trans fats in foods. Consumers are responsible for their portion sizes and should be able to avoid getting hit by a Prius.
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