[Post card from Syracuse Cultural Workers]
It's the end of an era for me. Here I am heading into 2017 ... into the politically unknown. I feel uncertain, and more than a little worried that hateful rhetoric and mean political actions will hurt those most vulnerable.
On the other hand I am drawing on faith that the past eight years have also taught us a lot more about acceptance and understanding of the Other. For let's not forget that it began with an appeal to our better angels:
What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives - from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry - an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels. Barack Obama, January 17, 2009
I took that sentiment to heart, and have tried to live it every day since then. I feel sure that I am not alone in this. In our community where I live, I have met and become friends with many people, who live with this sentiment daily. I see pasted on doors, posted in yards, and on local business windows signs that say: All are Welcome: Hate has no Business here.
I always love the lines in Kate Wolf's song, Across the Great Divide:
"The finest hour that I have seen, are the ones that come between, the edge of night, and the break of day - that's when the darkness rolls away ..."
... for I believe that light has a way of making its way through the dark.
So, here I am - hoping that we will continue encouraging light to creep in and shine the way as we embark on a new year ... new era ... new political journey.
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