Today is a day that must be remembered. It is the international Holocaust Remembrance Day and we must …
We must remember the horrors that happened when good people did not believe what was happening.
We must remember the hatred and lust for power which resulted in intimidation, intolerance, corruption, horrifying violence against Jews, Roma, homosexuals, political activists, the disabled (physically and mentally).
Exact numbers of those who died in concentration camps in the Holocaust are unknown, but it is estimated that six million Jews, 15,000 homosexuals, unknown political prisoners, the disabled, and about 1.5 million out of an estimated 2 million Roma were murdered in the Gypsy Holocaust -(Porajmos). Records of one concentration camp (Auschwitz) show unbelievable facts: 1.1 million died … 960,000 Jews (865,000 of whom were gassed on arrival), 74,000 non-Jewish Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 prisoners of war, and up to 15,000 other Europeans.
Many try to forget the reality of what happened in Europe to these people, including clergy who also died while doing their best to support and protect the vulnerable. Many denied the reality of the Holocaust then. Many deny the reality of the Holocaust now.
And many are not seeing distinct similarities between what happened then and what is happening now in the United States with ordinary citizens who are being assaulted, kidnapped, murdered by members of ICE and in Iran with protesters and …
We must remember the words of Martin Niemöller “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
What gave rise to the Holocaust then – anger, hatred, fear – is happening now. And it is growing.
If Niemöller’s words are not taken seriously … if history is not remembered … if action is not taken … if people do not speak up there will be no one left to speak. Democracy will no longer be the reality.
WE MUST REMEMBER Remember that “It didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with politicians dividing the people with ‘us vs them’. It started with intolerance and hate speech, and when people stopped caring, became desensitized and turned a blind eye.” <Auschwitz Memorial>
WE MUST REMEMBER and become educated about the atrocities of the past … educate today’s children so they know the truth. We must do our part in speaking up and speaking out.
WE MUST REMEMBER. Not to remember will have dire consequences.
I don’t live in the United States. I have family there – have dear friends there – was born there – have neighbours / siblings / strangers I care about, there.
What has been going on in that country, particularly lately in Minneapolis with protestors lawfully resisting, ICE agents illegally assaulting and once again, murdering, my emotions are like so many others, raw, reactive, and more, as I try to reflect and recognize that hope still exists, that goodness will overcome.
A black pen found its way into my hand and squiggles and waves and patterns and words began to surface tonight. Living alone, there is no one here with whom I can process it all because I live alone. I found that it felt good to say the words out loud, write the words, spit the words – and realize that tiny fragments of hope and rootedness and faith are there too. They’re few, but they’re there. And I am grateful to see that they are – they exist – they’re there.
So I will hold on to the reality that is deep within me this night. I will hold on to that reality – that hope – for the people of the United States, the people of Iran, the people of Greenland, the people of Ukraine, the people of Palestine, the people of Canada, the people of other parts around the world who are fighting for justice and democracy, for without even a smidgeon of hope, evil wins. It cannot.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, pick up a journal and write your thoughts – squiggle a wiggly line and add some words – talk into a recording device. Let those deep emotions surface for a short moment so they can be acknowledged and no longer have such a strong hold on you.
Drawing this, whatever-it-is, tonight has not been as good as having someone to talk with about it all, but it’s been helpful. It’s one way to get what is deep within me, out, If only for a little bit. And isn’t that part of what resistance is all about? Put the little bits together and change can happen … our own emotional well-being as we try to deal with it all, and the situation itself.
May sleep come this night … to all who live in fear … to those who dread the approaching storms … to all who were present or have watched the videos of today’s murder of a 37 year old American who was defending a young woman tackled to the ground by ICE … and to all who grieve, remembering particularly the family of Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Rest in peace, Alex. May you rest in peace.
A YEAR AGO TODAY I posted this … and today, one year later, it’s not just the United States that faces all of this, but the world.
On this first of the second 1460 days, it is still true. Tragically true. American friends. Canadian friends. Venezuelan friends. Iranian friends. Greenland friends. Friends ….
may courage be yours may courage be ours may courage infill, surround, reign one day at a time
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(originally posted January 20, 2025)
on this first day of 1460 days decisions became law retaliation stood firm guardians of liberty were stifled] rights have been destroyed
courage may you have courage for yourselves, for LGBTQIA2S+ for those facing deportation for clergy who will offer sanctuary for those who fear loss of medical coverage, social security, the constitution
A YEAR AGO TODAY I posted this … and today, one year later, it’s not just the United States that faces all of this, but the world … with all of what was posted a year ago today when DJT took office for the second time on day one of his presidency of the United States.
On this first of the second 1460 days, it is still true. Tragically true. And more so.
American friends. Canadian friends. Venezuelan friends. Iranian friends. Greenland friends.
Friends …. may courage be yours may courage be ours may courage infill, surround, reign one day at a time
***************
(originally posted January 20, 2025)
on the first day of 1460 days decisions became law retaliation stood firm guardians of liberty were stifled rights have been destroyed
courage may you have courage for yourselves, for LGBTQIA2S+ for those facing deportation for clergy who will offer sanctuary for those who fear loss of medical coverage, social security, the constitution
It’s another day of cold darkness with teary-rain weather in many places. It’s another day of darkness and teary-memories as many remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, the third Monday in the month of January. But instead of his murder being a sign that things must change, racial slurs, hatred of “the other”, and violence continue.
And God weeps.
Weeping God, how you must ache for your people who face uncertain futures.
How you must ache for those who enter into conversations and political debate with open hearts and minds only to find threats, harassment, and fear leading the discussions and governing decisions.
How you must ache for those whose love of power, love of money and love of self, supersedes commitment to honesty, mercy, compassion, justice and integrity.
Some cry … “How long O Lord, how long? Some whisper … “Let this cup be taken from us.” Some try to remember … the presence of the Holy One even “in the valley of the shadow of death.”
Many feel a kaleidoscopic tumbling of emotions and know not what to do, how to pray, what to say. And as they weep, the Creator weeps.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day once said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
May you continue to rest in peace Martin Luther King Jr, and may your life, witness, and words be a signpost of hope that a day will come when love will drive out hate. Let’s continue to show love … in waves of peaceful protest, steadfast focus on democratic principles, and actions of love – big and small – in our communities, families, and ourselves. Let’s be the light and love that will drive out the darkness.
A friend in Greenland ended her email today with these words: “God help us!” A reply from the United States to a FB post today, ended with these words: “God help us!”
I’ve heard that same cry from friends in the United States … Canada … Ukraine … Palestine … Israel … Uganda .. the Philippines and other parts of the world where I’ve been blessed by friendships that have evolved and flourished over time.
Today, more and more people are fearful — frightened that their country will be absorbed / conquered / bombed by another country … fearing that they might not return home from work, school, the hospital, the grocery store, church/synagogue/temple … terrified that their children will be abandoned/abducted because of ICE agents. More and more people are beginning to be afraid to leave their homes, fearful of even opening the front door.
Countries are asking for help … Reuters reports that Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Canada have begun deploying military personnel to Greenland at the invitation of Denmark. The deployed are fearful that this multinational movement, at this time “a symbolic and strategic show of unity following renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex / conquer the territory” will escalate and they may never return home.
“God help us” people write – and pray – whisper. That phrase begs the question – “Is there a God?” And. if there is, “Why isn’t all of the chaos and evil stopped?”
I believe there is a God – not human-like that lives in the sky and dangles strings like a puppeteer making good things happen, bad things go away, but a God/Entity/Creator/Source/By-Whatever-Name, that created the world and humanity, giving human beings free will – to make decisions, to make mistakes, to learn and grow and become the very best person they can be.
I also believe in the existence of evil that can fester through greed and a hunger for power. That belief is tempered by a belief that evil is not as strong as is Goodness which happens each and every day in some way, in some place, through some human being, to some one or ones, directly or indirectly.
I believe in God – a God that works through people … like those who are blogging, protesting, speaking up and out; those who are peacefully resisting, calling their political leaders, helping others get to polling stations; those in positions of leadership (political, economic, media, education, business, etc.) who exercise that leadership from positions of integrity; those helping strangers or neighbours or friends in simple ways, in quiet ways, in gentle ways; those deployed in fragile countries and situations and are doing their jobs in accordance with the vows they took.
I believe that God is at work – through each of us.
And, while as much as I wish the works that continue to show me that God exists through each of us, I also wish they would result in tangible positive outcomes now (!). But, I am mindful that evil exists and that barriers are in place because those in powerful positions seek more money and power – for themselves. And so it takes longer for “God” to be seen working.
I believe it is happening and that we will see the results – – some day – some way – some how.
Do you believe that? If not, can you set semantics and God-language aside, and join in the hope that is in the goodness in some people who are quietly, gently, and sometimes loudly, in-your-face yet still legally “helping” – to make a difference?
History tells me that even in the darkest of times, God exists … through us. I look forward to change happening through God/us and bringing peace in this troubled world.
