Once upon a time labels were not so important within this country. Yes, names and curses aplenty, but no one had to have a label and strictly adhere to the implied behavior. Yes, one was an Italian, or an Irishman or a Jew, or Scot or whatever. However, few identified themselves as hyphenated Americans based on place of origin of themselves or ancestors. We were all Americans, for good or bad. Some claimed that others were not good Americans, but generally it did not come out of their place of origin, but rather from their stated beliefs and deeds.
Today everyone is a hyphen. Even the Census asked for place of origin, whereupon I filled in a blank line and wrote that my place of origin is the United States, so I'm an American. Period. why would I define myself as eastern European or central or western European or German or Polish, and how to pick one ancestor out of all of them so as to restrict myself to one country. It did not make sense, was a question whose answer was implicitly under a suspicious cloud. Why would they need that question and its answers? How far back was one to go for "origin"? Why were we stressing differences in an official form rather than emphasizing our similarities, as Americans?
This is now a country severely divisive in nature and behavior. One is expected to adhere to the qualifications and implications of those labels. We allow ourselves to be defined by others, rather than by ourselves and within that, we lose ourselves, and we certainly lose the right side of the hyphen - American. We are so greatly divided that the nation stands on opposite sides of a deep, seemingly bottomless, unbridgeable abyss. Bad place to be.
In fact, we are driving ourselves nuts. Via crazed individuals, seriously embittered and battered by mental and emotional chemically driven disorders or cynically scheming individuals who see profit and advancement for their own fortunes via extremism and appeal to the basest, most degrading traits of humans. In fact, the definition of the label they have chosen begins to change, to morph into worse, ever moving, shifting. It is so that before it is over, no one will know who or what is what, only that this country is in a deeply, obviously wrong, dangerous place to be.
New Year's Eve has a plethora of shows that purport to be the show to watch, the best, the greatest, the one not to miss, competing in noise, shouts, ridiculous statements with no foundation, and of course, celebrities. I chose to watch the PBS special, Music of America or some such similar title. Renee Fleming reminded us that the previous one was in 2020 and then went dark, as did the rest of the world, emerging changed, damaged, bitter and resentful.
She spoke of the motivation for the special, the music that unites as Americans. However, as the show progressed, with various known and some not so known talented performers, dancers, singers, musicians, there emerged a different take. The selection was great, enjoyable, especially Ricardo Morales and his two solos with the flute, an instrument I favor. The choirs were wonderful. The audience was appreciative. As I was also.
But. But. But.
That irritating turn to base Christianity beloved by the Extreme Right Wing was present and accounted for, leaving no room for other religions in this great country of ours. As a person, I loved the performance, the voice, the emotion; however, niggling in the back of my mind was the uh-oh feeling. Jews unwelcome here. No music for you. Could a rather more inclusive song or two have been chosen? I think so. Yet it was not so.
Most of the performers of color of one shade or another sang with deep, rich tones, but, but, but again, their songs were filled, replete with defiance, shouting, demanding, stating, that they are Americans too, will always be here, and if burning is necessary, so let it burn. Huh!?
I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of defiance, the languish, the soul tired of being asked to prove status of belonging. As a woman, as a Jew, I feel it. I most certainly do. However, hopefully, this is not what unites as a nation. United in what? Hatred? Bigotry? Blood hungry? I hope not. Yes, include the imperfections, but not to over emphasize, ripping scabs off where there had been at least partial healing. Think. Think of the purpose of the special and program accordingly.
Finally, at the very close of the program there was a striking divide to be seen. The choirs were all showcased as they shared a closing song. The divide - all white, all black, or barely mixed, was clear and present. I wondered, when all of us love to sing, appreciate music, why was there not more integration within the choirs? Small point, but very telling.
So, I loved the music. I am grateful for the opportunity to hear new artists - at least to me. However, if even my little great grandson can wear a shirt with dinosaurs stating the friends come in all colors, why can't adults? Why do adults have such difficulty with internalizing that small but oh so big statement?
If we could say them, all of us, all colors, all shades, all religions, ignore those differences or truly see their beauty, then yes, a united United States.
We always have room for hope.
We can always progress.
That is only possible if we truly want that for ourselves, for our country, for the world.
May we all have a wonderful, healthy, peaceful year.
No comments:
Post a Comment