Foreign Thinking

Visualize a wide-eyed blank stare of fear, both hands on wheel, paled skin, with a police officer reviewing information behind your back.  I was witness to that scenario [some sort of traffic violation], however I was just driving by.

What would it feel like?  We might know the feeling of getting caught doing something we shouldn't have done or getting pulled over for a ticket, but certainly the legality of our citizenship prevents us from understanding other perspectives...like being called "illegal". 

How would it feel to be considered "illegal"?  Think for yourself.  How would it feel to walk into a grocery store or down a street, knowing that someone sees your physical appearance or hears your accent and immediately labels you "illegal" or unwanted or, recently in Indiana, deemed to go to jail.  Or better yet, how would it feel to leave your home for a foreign land where you don't know anybody, but do know that many in the land will discriminate against you, yet still you believe that it's probably the only way you can provide for your family?  Why do "illegals" do that?  Is it because they want to be American?  Or is it because they "have" to be American in order to survive?  Or neither?  Maybe it's because they want to overrun our nation.

Actually, my opinion is this: why do we ask these questions or attempt to answer them when it's not an issue up for debate...they "have" to come, and our society has actually profited from them.  Our society has taken advantage of their low pay services in order to sustain our lifestyle (manicured lawns, cheaper fruit, etc) at a low price.  Plus their countries were overpowered by our trade policies, our prices, and our overload of excess.  This creates few options and that's what we gotta expect if we strive to be the superpower of the world.  What are we going to do when the low prices begin to disappear? Our lives won't be sustainable unless we cut back on our wants, which we've begun to witness over the last several years, yet we continue to retain our wants.

So instead of debating, we ought to seek other perspectives and see what ideas for solutions come from others (who don't look like us), because yes, immigration is going to be a long-standing political issue whether we deport them [undocumented citizens] or not.  Last time I checked, those of us who call ourselves Christian follow a power that is higher than government...higher than "American" and higher than "citizen." We follow a higher example, one of a man who reaches out to every person and offers acceptance.

I will never forget the wide-eyed blank stare on the face I saw in that car, and I was just driving by.  Only he and our government (and God) know what occurred that day, but I hope that that man is given a voice to share his story, because it is he who knows...not us, "the legals".

You may have a different opinion.  Please retain your right and share with us.

A Graduation Experience

We spent time over the weekend celebrating Jenny's completion of IU School of Medicine Masters degree of Public Health. The celebration began Thursday with a surprise delivery of beautiful flowers, ordered through Stores 2 Shop! We continued the fellowship with a luncheon banquet recognizing the graduates. Then there was the ceremony. IUPUI hosted an enjoyable program, and Jenny successfully walked across the stage!

Here's the story though. For me, the anxiety began as I arrived early to reserve seats for other family members. Let me tell you, coming from Anderson University I did not know what I was getting myself into. I was reserving 6 additional seats, expecting 5 guests, but saving an extra just in case. Seats were filling up around me, and people were seated on the end chairs of my row, when all of a sudden a man and his wife came in the row from the opposite side I was sitting. I politely informed them "excuse me, sir, I have these seats reserved." He kept his head down and spoke, "F***ing s***, man, I don't care!" I paused. Stunned, practically confused not knowing if he was talking to me since his head was down. I moved closer towards him, and addressed him saying, "sorry, I have several people coming in just a few minutes and need those seats". He continued, "F*** you, I'm not moving. That's ridiculous." 

People were around us, but nobody acknowledged the escalation of the situation. I said "and just how many seats do you need?" He only needed the two for he and his wife, so I suggested it'd be easier for them to find 2 seats than me to find 6 in a full auditorium.  He finished the conversation by saying, "F*** you, I'm not moving, I'm here." So then my family arrives with my nerves shooken. It turns out that not everybody was able to attend the ceremony, so all we needed were 5 seats, which was exactly what was left after the man and his wife sat down! But seriously, where was that guy coming from? I will always remember the name of this man's daughter (because she's the only one he cheered for during the ceremony), but I do not plan on saving seats again at IUPUI. 

Jenny did receive a wonderful degree and obtained a great education. The day ended with an INCREDIBLE service at Olive Garden in Castleton. Seriously, our party of 8 received royal treatment and enjoyed a great meal.