Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day - I just finished watching Oprah's special....I am still sniffing back my tears. Tears of joy at where we have come - tears of sadness from where we came - she asked the question how can you keep Dr. King's dream alive?
I think we still have to fight the "power." Don't be drones, don't accept, ask questions all the time, think about what you eat, what you read, what you say, how you spend your time. The words that kept hitting me hard were "Let us not be judged by the colour of our skin but by the character of our hearts." We judge each other in so many ways - our weight, our clothes, our teeth, our language, our education. how much we work or don't work, how much we produce. We allow unknowns to influence what we value in each other - marketing. This is a quote from Michael Crichton's book titled "Next" Pg. 299
"Furthermore, we have conquered personal space. Logos, brands, and slogans appear on ordinary objects from knives to tableware to computers. They appear on all our possessions. Consumers wear logos on their clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry. Indeed, it is rare for a person to appear in public without them. Thirty years ago, if anyone predicted that the entire global public would turn themselves into sandwich boards, walking about advertising products, the idea would have seemed fantastical."
I think to myself I want Victoria Secret underwear because I deserve it and I need to make sure that I take care of myself - keep sexy- so these underwear that say Victoria Secret make me more sexy then Walmart brand because they cost more and beautiful starving women wear them.
I feel like I am taking better care of myself when I spend more on something. I have swallowed the pill.... granted some things that cost more are better - I give you that but the brand is key....there have been studies done on cosmetics which are identical to each other but people assume the more expensive one is better for them.
BUT....what is the character of my heart? I spend so much time thinking about making money to buy things, about how I need to get my house fixed up so people who visit won't think I am poor - or feel uncomfortable with the choices I have made. When alone in my house - I am fine with my furniture and my "unfinished" decor. When the times comes it will be appropriate to fix it up of course - but when it is time - when the character of my heart says - this is what is required at this time.
For me - I know I am responsible for the character of my heart. I am a person of faith and some times people of faith think God is responsible for their character - I don't think so - God makes available -love and wisdom and we have the responsibility to put those ingredients together and create a character of heart.
What is going on around you - what do you need to speak up about - what should you NOT accept as "the way things are?" Dr. King leaves us a legacy - what are you going to do keep the dream alive? Me two things I will do today
(1) I will no longer consume celebrity gossip ( a big step for those of you who know me)
(2) I am going to go pick up my kids from school and make them watch Oprah today....I am going to introduce them to Dr. King's dream.
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2 comments:
Great stuff for discussions, many discussions. I think there are several topics to pull out of your writing that each are good for discussion. I was a bit confused about the element of branding, commercialism (, and consumerism). You seemed to “speak against” it, and then next you want your kids to watch Oprah?! Isn’t she a bit of symbol of what you would like us to thing twice about?
Anyhow, I think I disagree with "Let us not be judged by the colour of our skin but by the character of our hearts." Well, not that the heart should speak for more than the colour.
What I am disagreeing with is judging. Why do we have to judge? Judging by character of the heart we may fail to see what the heart has been through.
Speaking of character my dad is a bit of a one. He was co-owner, CEO, and the director of a company. He did not have a title on his business cards, did not use a title on his letters, and did not introduce himself with a title. He would say: “a title does not make you who you are – what you do is what defines you.”
Keep the thoughts jumping – it makes for an interesting read.
thought #1
Is Oprah commercialism/consumerism? Many would say yes but I feel that she is trying to gain power and use all areas of her power for good but you are right she is selling something and I am sure am buying it...although not without questions. I do disagree with her and some of the things she does sometimes... so I guess it is ok to buy into whatever as long as you continue to question and as long as you are aware of what you are doing...I like to think I choose to buy into Oprah, I do not do it mindlessly. (most of the time)
Thought #2
Regarding judging at all. You make a very good point - we do not see what the heart has been through. However - in life there is good and bad - some people choose evil or to hurt others or to think only of themselves - there are consequences - I guess they are natural consequences though - we do not have to impose them through our judgment. Then again if you screw me over one too many times - I will judge your character and say see you later....it is a tough one.
Thought #3 - I admire the strength behind your dad's business card - that is exactly the kind of person I would seek out in business. What you do does define you, really that is your character right? By the way - your dad's character comes through in you - both his good character and his being a character. (=
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