I
Missiles fly.
Parents die.
Children cry.
II
Missiles fly.
Children die.
Parents cry.
22 March 2022
Category Archives: Human Rights
War I and II
Filed under Current Events, Human Rights, Poem, Six Word Story
A prayer for the children
I sat to entertain myself, O God.
I smiled as the movie rolled,
and the story flowed.
Then the cannon balls began to fly
and the children began to cry
and cinematic illusion blurred with harsh reality.
I imagined shells falling on Mariupol,
drone attacks in Yemen,
bullets tearing flesh in Tigray
and always children cry.
“And how are the children?”
asks the Masai people.
God, you know.
In places the children are well.
In places the children are strong.
In places the children are safe.
But you also know, O God,
that in places,
too, too many places,
the children cry in terror,
cry in pain,
cry as loved ones suffer and die.
cry from hunger.
The children are not well.
in any conflict,
in every conflict,
the children suffer.
O God, in the name of Jesus,
who bade the children come to him,
I pray for the children of
Mariupol,
Yemen,
Tigray.
I pray for the children
caught up in every conflict and any conflict.
I pray for the children who cry.
Protect the children, O God.
Hear their cries.
Watch over them.
Guide the nations of the world
to end conflicts
and establish the justice
that leads to wholeness and peace
in which children may thrive.
Guide me to discern my part
to support such efforts.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Filed under Current Events, Human Rights, Prayer
29 December 2021
Walking. North East, Maryland. Christmas.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Tom Jackson
Light of the Stable – Darlene Silversmith
Silent Night – Robert Mirabal
Angelic Glory – Red Nativity
Huron Carol – Jonathan Maracle
Poli’ahu – Kamakele “Bulla” Ka’iliwai
Joy to the World – Bill Miller
I wonder as I Wander – Joanne Shenandoah
Walking. North East, Maryland. Wounded Knee.
Wounded Knee – Micki Free
Ghost Dance – Robbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee – Buffy Sainte-Marie
Wounded Knee – Walela
Dreams of Wounded Knee – Bill Miller
We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee – Redbone
Filed under Antiracism, Human Rights, Music, playlist
A Spot of Tea or the Cup of Christ
Perhaps I should have felt disappointed. Our tea with Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was canceled. I had looked forward to this visit. We were to meet him and to share tea with him at his home on Bishop’s Court. However, his schedule became very hectic during the days when we were in Cape Town. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Archbishop had to change his hectic schedule. I complain about how full my calendar gets – imagine what his looks like! At any rate, the tea with our group from Cleveland was dropped from Archbishop Tutu’s schedule because he had to go to Johannesburg during that time.
On Thursday, November 2, we rose early. We arrived at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town for the 8:00 am All Soul’s Day mass. Archbishop Tutu was the celebrant. Brightness and life beamed from him as he prayed his way through the mass. When the time came to pass the peace, he came among us and wished the peace of Christ upon us. The service continued. The moment of the Eucharist arrived. We made our way forward. From the hands of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, we received the host. From his eyes, loved shone on each person. From his face, welcome emanated, surrounding us each and all and embracing the world.
As the service ended, Archbishop Tutu asked that we be introduced to the congregation of about thirty or so. He greeted us warmly. We presented him with a “Rainbow Children” stole. In joy he put it on. We could sense his excitement although he did manage to refrain from dancing! It took an effort. Then he asked if we were really from the United States – because no one was ready to take pictures. The cameras came out and, with gracious exuberance, Archbishop Tutu posed with the group and with each of us individually. Then he was gone.
Perhaps I should feel disappointed. But I do not. If you had a choice between sharing with Archbishop Desmond Tutu either a spot of tea or the cup of Christ – how would you choose?
For the life and faith and love of witness of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, thanks be to God.
Cape Town, South Africa
2 November 1995
revised
North East, Maryland
26 December 2021
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Human Rights, Uncategorized, Worship
They ride
In the early morning they rise.
People and horses they ride.
They pray and eat.
Riders mount horses
and into the pale light, in prayer
together hey begin to ride.
Through the mist,
they ride.
Through the fog,
they ride.
Through the cold,
they ride.
Through the rain,
they ride.
Through the snow,
they ride.
Through the ice,
they ride.
To remember,
they ride.
To tell the story,
they ride.
To bear witness,
they ride.
To grieve,
they ride.
To heal,
they ride.
To hope,
they ride.
For the 38+2,
they ride.
For justice,
they ride.
For the people,
they ride.
For themselves,
they ride.
For the future,
they ride.
For us all,
they ride.
To Mankato,
traveling through the past,
inspiring the present,
shaping the future,
they ride.
25 December 2021
North East, Maryland
Learn more about the Dakota 38+2 and the 2021 Memorial Ride.
View Dakota 38, a documentary about the ride for reconciliation and hope.
A Memorial Run from Fort Snelling to Mankato also takes place on December 25-26
Filed under Antiracism, Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, Human Rights, Photo
18 December 2021
Walking. North East, Maryland.
International Migrants Day.
Unite 75 – Daara J Family
Immigrant – John McCutcheon
Ave Que Emigra – Gabby Moreno
The Migrant Worker – Jim Croce
Gourma – Etran Fintawa
Take Me to Cleveland – Robert Neustadt
No Geography – The Chemical Brothers
Highwomen – The Highwomen
Look in Their Eyes – David Crosby
Why We Build the Wall – Hadestown
La Jaula de Oro – Los Tigres del Norte
Alien – Gil-Scott Heron
Cages – Redbait
Bad Hombres y Mujeres – Antonio Sanchez
La Frontera – Lagartijeando, feat. Minuk
Migration – Jonny Lipford
The Dreamer – Jackson Browne
My Only Home – Unchained XL, feat. Genesis Elijah & Femi Ashiru
A Safe Place to Land – Sara Bareilles, feat. John Legend
Running – Keyon Harrold, Andrea Pizziconi & Jasson Harrold, feat. Running feat. Common & Gregory Porter
Amor Migrante – Elena & Los Fulanos
Go Tell a Bird – Maya De Vitry
Beyond the Border – Bhi Bhiman
Godspeed – Radney Foster
Where We Are – Diana Jones
Migra – Santana
Immigrant Eyes – Willie Nelson
The Immigrants – Gabby Moreno & Van Dyke Parks
I Pity the Poor Immigrant – Joan Baez
Deportees – Sweet Honey in the Rock
Immigrants (We Get the Job Done) – K’naan, Snow Tha Product, Riz MC & Residente
No Human Is Illegal – The Wakes
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Exercise, Human Rights, Music, playlist
A prayer for Ozzy
God who loves us each,
on this night when snow is forecast for Louisville,
I pray for your beloved child Ozzy.
I am sure you know him, but just in case …
he has his name tattooed on the fingers of his left hand
and he is wearing the Steelers hat that Eric knit for me.
I pray for Ozzy.
May he have a warm and safe place
to spend this night.
May he make the connections he needs
for warmth and safety on the days ahead.
I pray for all the Ozzys –
each of your precious children
wherever they may be.
May they find safe, warm places
to stay this night and
to call home every night.
I pray for myself.
May I act in ways beyond
conversation, fist bumps, and giving a hat
to ensure safe homes for Ozzy and all your children.
In the name of Jesus, who had no place to lay his head.
Amen.
– based on a conversation today with John, “Call me Ozzy,” he said several times as he showed me his tattooed hand
Filed under Advent, Human Rights, Louisville
1 December 2021
Mrs. Rosa Parks anniversary. World AIDS Day.
Walking. Apartment.
Rosa Parks – Outkast
Rosa Sat – Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir
Sister Rosa – The Neville Brothers
Waterfalls – TLC
Together Again – Janet Jackson
Danny Boy – Black 47
Free Me – Sia
Jesus to a Child – George Michael
The Last Song – Elton John
Boy Blue – Cyndi Lauper
Sing – Annie Lennox
For a Friend – The Communards
Come Faithful Ones – Red Nativity
O Come Emmanuel – Little Windows
Christmastime 2 Creation – Warren Cooper
Filed under Advent, Antiracism, Current Events, Exercise, Human Rights, Louisville, Music, playlist, United Nations
He’s in Hospice – Stop the Execution of Gerald Pizzuto Jr. in Idaho
The state of Idaho prepares to execute a man in hospice.
The crimes of which Gerald Pizzuto, Jr. was convicted are horrible. I grieve for the families of Berta Herndon and her nephew Del Herndon.
But the execution of Pizzuto will not bring the Herndons back. There are many reasons to oppose executions. Executions lower us to the level of those who kill. The violence of an execution feeds violence. Executions negate any possibility of repentance and restoration. Executions do not deter crime. In this case, there is the additional reality that Pizzuto is terminally ill. Killing Pizzuto would be cruel and unnecessary. Sign this petition to Idaho’s governor and the state Pardons and Parole Commission to grant clemency, call off the execution, and allow Pizzuto to die a natural death.
Gerald Pizzuto’s attorney notes: “At 64, Mr. Pizzuto is a frail shell of the man he once was. He has stage 4 cancer and is approaching natural death. The idea that such a sick, feeble man presents enough of a danger to society that he must be executed is far-fetched.” For more than a year, Pizzuto has been in hospice care on Idaho’s death row, suffering from advanced bladder tumors, along with type 2 diabetes, and a variety of heart and lung diseases. According to his defense team, he’s been prescribed 42 different drugs in the last year, and his medical records say he has “begun experiencing memory loss and mild disorientation associated with the death process”.
Pizzuto does not deny his responsibility for the murders of Berta Herndon and Del Herndon. His clemency petition notes that he “is not making excuses for the 1986 deaths of Berta and Delbert Herndon.
He accepts responsibility for his role in their murders and is remorseful for their deaths. He has
carried those regrets for 34 years on death row.” You can read the clemency petition here (including horrific details about abuse he endured in his childhood that left him with brain damage).
Killing Pizzuto would be unnecessary and cruel. That cruelty could extend to the state workers asked to carry out the execution of a prisoner in such a debilitated condition. This might well leave them with lifelong burdens known to exist with other former executioners. Please sign this petition urging that the execution of Pizzuto be cancelled. Please pray for those who love Berta Herndon and Del Herndon.
Filed under Capital Punishment, Current Events, Death Penalty, Human Rights
30 September 2021
Today, September 30, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), along with other Native American individuals, groups, and marks a National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. This aligns with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation that is observed in Canada for residential school survivors. It is also called Orange Shirt Day to honor the story of one girl whose treasured orange shirt given to her by her grandmother was taken away from her at residential school. The orange shirt has come to symbolize awareness for the children who died or went missing at these institutions. NABS has orange t-shirts available to purchase. Time for education and action.
Walking. Germantown.
Stretching. Gym in the apartment.
Lost Souls – Tom Jackson
Residential School Song – Cheryl Bear
Child of the Government – Jayli Wolf
My Country ’tis of Thy People You’re Dying – Buffy Sainte-Marie
BEFORE – A Tribe Called Red, feat. Joseph Boyden
Warrior Heart – Shawnee
Apatapasiq – Mike Bern
Battlefields – Twin Flames
Save Mob – Snotty Nose Rez Kids, feat. Nooky & Birdz
open window – nehiyawak
Drums – John Densmore & Floyd Westerman
How I Feel – A Tribe Called Red, feat. Leonard Sumner, Shad & Northern Voice
Took the Children Away – Archie Roach
Take Me Home – Indian City
Spirit Horses – Annie Humphrey
He Can Fancy Dance – Cindy Paul
The Land of the Blind – Ira Provost
Why Us – N’we Jinan Artists
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Exercise, Human Rights, Louisville, Music, playlist
Along the Graybeard Trail 