Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A Demonstration



Demonstration


To demonstrate, to show how to do something , to present a skill in a manner that is clear, to share knowledge, to do so with a deft hand and to take pleasure in the give and take, the learning that ensues, the questions, the inept attempts to replicate the deft movements —translates into a pantheon of possibilities.

The demonstration of How to mount a Chinese Ink Painting challenged me to mist evenly, avoid creases, spread glue evenly,and to take help because the glove I wore over an infected finger made some of the steps difficult. As is my wont, I took copious notes on the sheet of directions and took photos for a visual recall. Last night I removed my mounted ink painting of milkpods from the mounting board—no creases, no lumps,a success.

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I watched the doctors and nurses pack supplies for their humanitarian trip to Haiti ; I viewed video segments of rescuers, troops delievering supplies, individuals setting up places to send donations. I heard the pleas of people in the streets, family and friends urgently calling Haiti and waiting for someone to answer the phone.

I heard the sound of shovels digging through rubble. I heard the sound of whispered words, cries, and prayers.

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A preacher, wellknown and with access to a national podium, accused the people of Haiti of having made a pact with the devil. The earthquake, he stated, was set in motion by this pact made long ago. How could he say these things in the midst of this horrendous tragedy?

Fundamentalists, no matter whether they wear religious or political garb, can't tolerate other views. But more than not tolerate —they spend time, money, and too often use force or coercion to obliterate the other. Alter your opinion, take my outstretched hand and accept my view. There is no room for other ways of seeing the world. This preacher, this man who professes love, demonstrated rancor and the oppposite of love.

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Dr. Hexter taught Contemporary Civilization and I signed up for every course he taught, save English history. We read the "philosophers" —or as he stated, "The people who think." "Don't criticize," he said, "until you understand their point of view and are able to articulate that point of view." He wasn't interested in whether we agreed or disagreed—just understand. In my senior year Dr. Hexter left for a position in another university. The last day of class he showed up with a battered, well-read black leather covered Bible. He said, "I've never shared my beliefs with you." Then he opened up the Bible to I Corinthians 13 and read "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." Then he exited the class.

I immediately went out and bought a RSV version of the Bible and underlined that passage.

My RSV Bible with its underlined passage sat comfortable next to my Tanach and my grandmother's yiddish book of women's prayers--a comfortable triptych.

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My father taught me how to find words quickly in a large unabridged dictionary. Later on I demonstrated the skill to a class of learning disabled adolescents.

Pass it on. Pass on all the learning, the love; don't hoard.

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Preacher, repent and demonstrate love.

2 Comments:

Anonymous JanT said...

"There is no room for other ways of seeing the world." Precisely the narrow frightening view of our ex-governor, now quickly becoming a voice for narrow-mindedness on Fox News and a global problem, perhaps. Quite worrisome.

January 15, 2010  
Anonymous JanT said...

Forgot to mention that I enjoyed your shots and accompanying music. Congratulations on a seamless job, also.

January 15, 2010  

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