We were looking forward to attending the 2nd Annual Los Banos TEA Party Community Picnic. The picnic was publicly announced and the community was invited. Anyone could come. Free food and sodas. Forties swing band music. A very colorful guest speaker making an appearance as Samuel Adams. It stacked up to being a fun day, and it was.
That's Rex Ruth decked out as Samuel Adams. He is a docent for the state of California and is a popular speaker at community organizations, schools, and museums. He is a self-described American of Mexican descent so having him here today underscored for me what a great divide there is in the Latino community when the men below showed up.
As you can see, I've blotted out their faces. It isn't important who they are but it IS important what they represent. Their appearance disturbed me greatly but I also saw it as an opportunity to do some bridge building. Three times, men from our group went over to visit with them and invite them to join us for food, conversation, and hear Rex Ruth. Three times they refused. They were, for the most part, quiet but they weren't interested in bridge building.A day later I was not at peace with any of this and felt pretty discouraged. If we can't get together over something as simple as hotdogs and just talk, how will we ever grow in our humanity?
I always have my Ignatius Holy Bible handy so I picked it up, opened it to somewhere in the New Testament section and then just flipped pages, ran my fingers up and down the thin sheets of paper, and asked God to lead me to a verse that might help clarify things for me a bit. I was lead to Mark 4:23 - If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And that was my answer. In the most direct way possible, I was reminded that people may have opportunities to hear each other and learn about each other but that doesn't mean they are going to accept the opportunity. And clearly, that was the situation I found myself facing yesterday.
But it was a fun evening. No one was mad at them; disappointed maybe, but not mad. The food was good. Rex put on a good presentation of the history of the events that ultimately ended up in the development of our Constitution. And I got a reminder that just because we tried to build a bridge once without success, that doesn't mean we can't try again.
12 comments:
Well, at least they were peaceful and no one was hurt or anything! But I'm sure it put a damper on your day!
How very sad. Living in a country where regardless of what anyone says, there is always an undercurrent, I find this so, so sad. Especially given that overtures of friendship were made toward the demonstrators. The racism here is much more subtle and one would never know unless one has an understanding of the society. Sad, so sad. It may have brought a slight cloud to your otherwise perfect day but the fact that you looked for answers and found them should tell you something. I know it did.
From my friend Barbara A. originally posted on Facebook:
Annie, read your blog, what can I say. I have encountered this as well from people who say I am prejudice against my own race because I only speak English. Joe has had conversations at work with men who will earn a wage, live a good life,... speak their mind, because they are here, but as soon as you ask them to go fight a war, they pack up and go home. What can I say? They will hear what they want and only what they want.
From my SIL, Yolanda, originally posted on Facebook.
What!! . . . . Anne? I don't think you are. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Sometimes you just have to consider the source & not take it too seriously; (although, I know it's easier said than done, especially on the receiving end). Sometimes people make assumptions, jump to conclusions, & make comments w/out knowing you. I think this is the case, especially in the environments you are involved in lately.
There is a large group of Peeps--a faction--in this country, who hate what we celebrate on July 4. They are truly only ignorant, but that is the way sometimes the devil does his work. Dumb us down, until we bow to whatever dictator pops out in front.
And this does turn Peep against Peep, and I am sure tears are shed in heaven at these and other behaviors by us humans.
Thanks for a good story to keep us vigilant, aware.
PEACE!
OH! Annie sent me!--grin!
Sad having a pleasant community day spoilt by politics.
This comment was sent to me as an email from Dawn W., State Coordinator for California's TEA Party Patriots organization.
Can I just say that reading your blog this morning was so inspirational for me. At times I get really down about the same things everyone else in this movement does but at times feel it as overwhelming, the idea that we are never going to reach those that need to hear the message the most. But your spirit and your soul that faced an ugly truth head on at your event and came out even more determined made me smile. I just wanted you to know that.
You and the other folks in this movement inspire me every day and I feel totally blessed to know so many truly wonderful people who are working in the “light” to uncover the “darkness” and that will always make me smile. You don’t walk alone!
Dawn
So sorry that such a beautiful day was spoiled. I have no clue or understanding though why this happened
I think we all understand the subtlety of the intended intimidation. That is the exact same attitude shown by the Panthers on Election Day, forcing people away from the polls. Only, theirs was illegal, because of the event.It's what the unions did in Wisconsin. It's not a one-on-one occurence, it is that mob mentality-everyone participates, no one is responsible.
La Raza means race, Anne, and Hispanics have conveniently manipulated that to mean The People. Let's just be clear on who is actually racist here and recall those pictures of Hispanic students flying our flag upside down, or walking on it, or burning it, and then accepting as their right, a free education, medical aid, social security assistance and free breakfasts and lunches. The word is entitlement, and there is no end to their demands.
I am always amazed at the energy and creativity of a people from south of the border, when they could actually use that same power for their own country. Why are they even here? Where is that volunteerism, that hope for the future for their own country?
Great post, Anne, but at the moment I'm fresh out of compassion or understanding. You needn't have have blanked out their faces, I don't think they're interested in anonymity; and if they're locals, everyone knows who they are anyway.
I love his costume! What a handsome man -- and I'll bet it was pretty warm!
Dear Annie,
I'm too far away to get the deeper meaning
of "the troubles" to use an Irish expression, you are describing.
The Tea Party (like in the revolutionary Boston TP) we read about in school, isn't that also kind of a revolutionary group?
Or am I totally lost?
If I'm right, I surely don't know what your revolution is all about, but from the late sixties I do remember that any revolutionary group is per say bound to provoke the establishment.
Somehow I never saw you as a revolutionary.
Then again, what to a squarehead from across the sea get?
I bet you don't get much about our 7 party national assembly either.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
From felisol
Post a Comment