Love and Remember (redux)
SackJo22
This is not the first time I have played with the phrase “ love and remember.”
The Black Lives Matter movement has asked us to examine our personal history and relationship to systemic racism. How am I, as a middle class educated white woman (ie privileged) complicit?
This is not a simple contemplation. Gratefully, I have been finding solace in my Jewish heritage.
The theme of “never forget” IS Judaism. Teachings, prayers and rituals are imbued with historical references to persecution, bondage and challenges from being slaves in Egypt, the destruction of the temple(s), and in modern Judaism, The Holocaust in WWII.
Even though we were not a religious family, Jewish identity is strong. I am grateful that my parents, like many of their peers, were vocal supporters of civil rights efforts of the 1960’s. I am fortunate that I was raised in a progressive, liberal, household, and in a community with diversity.
Still, I recognize that I can do more to embody the equality I believe, and to support those who are on the front lines taking action for change.
“Love and Remember” is prayer for these moments.
Say their names : Love and remember
Love and remember
Say their name
So may loves So many loves
So may loves come and gone
So many loves come and gone
Taken away by secret storms
Swept away by influence
Shot down when innocent
So many loves come and gone
More than wrong place wrong time
Guilty charge for just being alive
So many loves
So many loves come and gone
Heavy regret crystalized silence
Wrecking havoc fueling violence
Humanity’s endangered by irrevocable anger
I am sorry I hurt you. How can I atone?
To transform remorse that is marrow in our bones
I am safer with you than when I am alone.
My shadow your shadow — Our shadows are long
Now is the time for our shadows to evolve
In the shadows hope hides In our hearts that beat
The rhythm of our vitality
We are but a flickering light
a firefly on a summer’s night
A gentle glow the light of compassion
Together to illuminate love through action
We must never forget what we have done
Love and remember
The Black Lives Matter movement has asked us to examine our personal history and relationship to systemic racism. How am I, as a middle class educated white woman (ie privileged) complicit?
This is not a simple contemplation. Gratefully, I have been finding solace in my Jewish heritage.
The theme of “never forget” IS Judaism. Teachings, prayers and rituals are imbued with historical references to persecution, bondage and challenges from being slaves in Egypt, the destruction of the temple(s), and in modern Judaism, The Holocaust in WWII.
Even though we were not a religious family, Jewish identity is strong. I am grateful that my parents, like many of their peers, were vocal supporters of civil rights efforts of the 1960’s. I am fortunate that I was raised in a progressive, liberal, household, and in a community with diversity.
Still, I recognize that I can do more to embody the equality I believe, and to support those who are on the front lines taking action for change.
“Love and Remember” is prayer for these moments.
Say their names : Love and remember
Love and remember
Say their name
So may loves So many loves
So may loves come and gone
So many loves come and gone
Taken away by secret storms
Swept away by influence
Shot down when innocent
So many loves come and gone
More than wrong place wrong time
Guilty charge for just being alive
So many loves
So many loves come and gone
Heavy regret crystalized silence
Wrecking havoc fueling violence
Humanity’s endangered by irrevocable anger
I am sorry I hurt you. How can I atone?
To transform remorse that is marrow in our bones
I am safer with you than when I am alone.
My shadow your shadow — Our shadows are long
Now is the time for our shadows to evolve
In the shadows hope hides In our hearts that beat
The rhythm of our vitality
We are but a flickering light
a firefly on a summer’s night
A gentle glow the light of compassion
Together to illuminate love through action
We must never forget what we have done
Love and remember