Reflections on Goodness
05_30_2021
Tomorrow’s calendar brings us to Memorial Day with a chance to think about, remember, and appreciate the sacrifices that many have made in order to protect the liberties and privileges we enjoy in the United States. This year I am experiencing a greater degree of awareness in thinking of those who have served in defending our country. I attribute being more conscious of the significance of this holiday to my recent reading of Dan Rather’s book, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism. Rather co-authored the book with Elliot Kirshner.
I ended up getting the Graphic Novel version of Rather’s book which is my first experience reading in this format. If you haven’t ever read a graphic novel, I recommend trying it. The illustrations are laid out in a storyboard format, and they are drawn to accompany the narrative. In this particular work with an emphasis on what unites us, the illustrations at times were clear about who Rather was referring to without his having to name the individuals whose behaviors he believes detract from the overall wellness of our country.
“Brought to life in stunning color by artist Tim Foley, What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel takes apart the building blocks of this country, from the freedoms that define us, to the values that have transformed us, to the institutions that sustain us. Rather’s vast experience and his unique perspective as one of America’s most renowned newscasters shed light on who we were and who we are today, allowing us to see a possible future, where we are one country; united.”
(Source: https://www.amazon.com/What-Unites-Us-Graphic-Citizen/dp/125023994X)
Rather’s writing and reflections stem from and reflect his humble origins. He grew up in Texas in a family with limited financial resources but within a larger community where people looked out for each other. He describes living through the depression when families were out of work and longing for basic needs. Descriptions of how his parents shared what food they had with neighboring families touched my heart by their simple acts of kindness and goodness.
In another section, he describes how his father and uncles signed up to join the Armed Forces the day after the Pearl Harbor bombing. I found myself wondering how many of us currently would be immediately willing to put our lives on hold as we felt called to serve the greater good.
Rather’s book reminded me of another book that had a great impact on me, a book written by fellow journalist, Tom Brokaw. Titled The Greatest Generation, the book consists of letters exchanged between those serving in WWII and their loved ones. Brokaw’s heroes contain Ordinary People who contributed to the war effort and returned to their lives without any formal recognition of their service. He describes the Home Front people as those who worked at home in producing the materials and supplies needed to support our troops. The Heroes are those who were recognized for their acts that went above and beyond what is expected. He also recognizes the roles that women played in their ordinary lives as well as those who served in uniform.
Both Rather and Brokaw acknowledge the shameful behaviors resulting from racism and prejudice against minority groups. I found it refreshing and powerful that these two individuals who have devoted their lives to searching for the truth could demonstrate a deep love for their country while acknowledging its shortcomings and where it needed to change. Rather in particular lays out his slow awakening to the existence of structural racism in this country. His gradual awakening to the existence of structural racism is similar to my own. I have become more aware as I have gotten older of how some in our country have dedicated themselves to sustaining racist practices. I am now persuaded that systemic racism exists within the United States, and it is our responsibility to address it.
Both of these works reminded me of the goodness of ordinary people and of times when we could feel united in a common cause, even if we didn’t share the same views on political decisions. This morning I checked my local community’s calendar for Memorial Day Services as I have decided I want to show up as a way of honoring those who out of a sense of goodness and concern for others chose to serve us all.
It’s odd at times how messages from totally different perspectives merge to provide a richer understanding of our life experiences. I’m about finished reading Matthew Fox’s book, Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic – and Beyond. Julian is believed to have lived in the period between 1342 to 1429. Much of her life she lived during a plague or pandemic. She committed to living a life of prayer, reflection, and committing her thoughts to writing. As an adult, Julian chose to become an anchoress, a religious recluse living in a cell attached to a church.
While I am comfortable admitting that her writing reflects a deeper degree of religious influence than I am familiar with, I found her decision to choose a positive view (via positiva) of life’s meaning a powerful message. Her words remind us to take note and let what we see sink in regarding the goodness that surrounds us. “We must open up both our minds and hearts to recognize what is really around us, how much goodness surrounds us, and how much beauty.”
In my daily actions, encouraged by the writings of those I’ve cited here as well as others, I feel like I witness far more acts of kindness and goodness in my life than the opposite. I work to let these acts of goodness inspire me, touch my heart with joy, and inspire me to choose acts of goodness that I can share.
Tomorrow when I witness the Ceremony in the Placing of a Wreathe on a memorial plaque to honor those who have served our country, I know that I will feel and be grateful for their goodness.
