Speaking out
As a resident of Toronto -and an Anglican, I have an excellent Bishop of Toronto who sends us his weekly newsletter that is personal, inciteful, and thought provoking. This week he tells a story of being spoken to by a stranger, who recognized a clergyman’s collar and she remarked, “We need to hear more from people like you”. He notes some of the hazards of being dressed this way:
“ Over three and half decades of ministry, the uniform has elicited a whole host of responses from folks sharing the sidewalk, traipsing through the mall, riding the subway and visiting the hospital. I am sure that my colleagues who don the collar share similar experiences. Some walk by without seeing. Some nod and make gestures of respect. Some notice and then look away. I have had a pedestrian see me coming and cross the street to avoid me. I have had a person or two spit on me and make rude gestures with their middle finger. And I have had folks stop and ask me to pray for them or a family member. But I can’t remember a time when a stranger in a restaurant said, We need to hear more from people like you.
This is typical of what we hear and it is an admonition to us all, including those who don’t wear a clerical collar - as Anglicans, as Christians, as citizens. I’m reading a lot of “Ain’t it Outrageous’!!” from the opinion press this week, and it’s not hard to agree. It was good to hear a former US Ambassador to Japan say, “I’m ashamed”, after he saw what a US president and vice-president did to humiliate a brave man, who not only spoke up, but for three years joined his country’s men and women to stay and fight. Those former two aren’t just small schoolyard bullies. They have power to exercise. Their values are pretty obvious. Power to dominate is all that matters. I liked it when Andy Borowitz characterized the meeting as “Zelenskyy Meets with Russian Agent” because as yet another Bishop, Desmond Tutu, realized long ago in South Africa, that laughter is often the only defense for the powerless. I also liked the the satiric article’s ending. “Vlod, you kicked his ass!” said Bishop Budde.”
That’s the Bishop who got under the president’s skin. He knows exactly what she is saying. He knows there are other values than his that matter. He knows that other people have them and embody them - and that they are admired for seeking justice and mercy long after they are gone. He knows that some people will not be defeated. no matter how much he wishes to bully them. And he must be very afraid.
Most of us are not fawning, but still - what are we doing? “Nevertheless. she persisted” became even more famous with Sen. Elizabeth Warren was speaking up, and I started in writing this as, “Nevertheless, she protested”. So I’ll protest:
Dismantling government is wrong. Private freedom depends on public governance to ensure accountability
Humiliating people in public or in private is wrong. It’s also stupid, because it demeans both parties to the communication.
Giving up on long term friends is wrong. Trust is easy to dismantle between people and countries and very difficult to regenerate.
Thinking that more money or more power will make you happier is wrong. It won’t. Trust me. I’ve been around for more than eighty-nine years.
And there are things that I am free to do here and now.
Enable good government - by voting, by commending good actions to elected and appointed persons in an system of governance and questioning actions that appear harmful.
Treating all person I encounter with respect
Valuing long term friends. I like Timothy Snider’s suggestion of writing one letter a month to someone I care about.
Spending and conserving all resources wisely and noting the effects of what I do upon others and upon the planet.
That will keep me busy enough - and away from social media this week.