The Culture of Things

Recently here in Toledo, and on the air waves of WSPD AM 1370, radio talk show host Brian Wilson said some extremely inappropriate remarks regarding Toledo Public School students while in the process of indicting the School system itself.

Here's what he said; "Certainly teaching little monkeys to peel bananas and so on and them learning to do it correctly on cue does not mean that they've learned everything except a funny parlor trick."

The monkey reference of course has outraged more than a few citizens in that no one prefers to have their children referenced as animals. Of course, the reference in the African American community means even more and is therefor more troubling.

Monkey's have long been a common racial references against the African American citizen. So of course there has been outrage and calls for apologies from Mr. Wilson and all manner of speech regarding boycotts of WSPD and so on.

Should there be outrage?

Certainly!

An elected official conducting a sidewalk meeting in her district in Tucson Arizona was critically wounded by an armed assailant a few weeks ago. The gunman left 6 dead and 15 wounded including Representative Gabby Giffords before being apprehended by others. Among the dead was a 9 year old girl.

Since then there has been much discourse through national and local media outlets regarding the tone of political rhetoric in the United States. The political 'right' is indicting the political 'left' for being too soft and the 'left' is indicting the 'right' for being to hard. The phrase vitriolic speech has been used again and again - by everyone about everyone.

Should there be outrage?

Certainly!

"Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me." I sure wish this were a true statement - but it's not. In thirty years of service within the human condition I've not seen it.

I've not seen this statement true in the countless lives sitting across the table from me and I've not seen it personally. As a matter of fact, there have been times being the recipient of a tongue lashing I would have preferred the stick.

Words are very powerful. With words we can shape the destiny of our children, paint landscapes of imagination so vivid they become realities and with words we can forge new horizons of thought provoked innovation.

In the month of January two great orators are often remembered. Men who spoke in such a way that pricked the conscience of their generation - so powerful were the words they used, we remember them and point back to them to this very day.

Martin Luther King Jr. for his many speeches on justice for all regardless of color, which sparked a revolution and John Fitzgerald Kennedy for his inauguration speech that challenged a generation to do for their country.

Words are also an explanation. Words explain our culture and our belief system.

Words are powerful.

That's why, for me it's always amusing when those who speak perhaps out of turn or in a way that is harmful back-peddle when challenged or found out. It's amusing to think that a person can speak words- any words, and claim those same words have no meaning or have no power.

I always say; 'Brother, you can't talk yourself out of something you behaved yourself into.'

Jesus said as it is recorded in Matthew 12:36,37; "I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty."

All I'm saying is; words are powerful.

Here's today's question; 'What will you shape, paint, forge or explain today with your words?'

Each day God gives us new canvas. Clean, pristine and yearning for creation the new day sits there and stares at us waiting for our next move.

My prayer is that we who follow God will set aside paralysis born of indecision or fear and with careful word evoke innovation, shape the framework of hope for our generation and explain ourselves to a generation who is at watch.

Making a dent,
Dan