WHO ARE WE?

  Who are we? What are we? Are we valued for what we can weigh and measure by the minerals and chemicals, the weight of the bones, or are we something more than that which is inside the physical container? Are the innards more important than what we see as revealed to us on the outside or might we value the thoughts and creations of that which is actually impossible to hold up and say, "Here is the mind. Here is the soul". In fact, what do we really mean when we come across an evil person, one who seems to demonstrate barely anything related to the humanity of humans. When we call, deem, a person a soulless person, what do we actually mean by that? 

When he came together, getting all the scoops of whatever was contained on the pre-birth assembly line, was his life determined - A full scoop of brains, a scoop of goodness, and one capable of tainting all that was good within. How do we measure what a person is, what a person's possibilities come to mean to that person? Was this, in fact, one whose fate was already etched in stone, to be labeled a soulless person meant only to bring misery and sorrow to the planet? 

What do we have within us? If one is overly weighted with one trait or inclination over another, can a person generate enough willpower and take what could be considered negative and by virtue of hard work and overcharged turbine effort, morph it into something that is of great benefit to humankind rather than a further addition to the stockpile of all that which can harm rather than help, things that wake up faulty traits and thoughts? 

Can we, for example, take a driving sense of ambition and rather than give way to the possibly evil created and enabled by this intense need, this almost mad need, and direct it into a positive path? If the answer is a wary yes, a maybe, then the human race has a chance. However, if that possibility is not deeply ingrained within a human, considering the inborn innate flaws of a person, the errors made by the brain and even the soulless emptiness within some precluding any possibility of positivity of contribution, then what are the chances, the odds, of people to actually initiate a difficult reformation, a need to better themselves and the world we live in? 

I wonder, I really do, if somewhere along the line of continuing creation a misprint took place. This misprint spread over time and took over the need within a person to leave behind a legacy of goodness and generosity, an acceptance of all mankind as people, no one better, no one worse. All deserving common rights and the respect of others. Somehow, somewhere, we lost that invisible part of homo sapiens which actually distinguished it from   other models of Man, and we are the worse off for it. Furthermore, that misprint did not end, but found a warm welcoming home within, settled down and made a life for themselves, a life too often built on the backs of others.

That interchange had other facets as well, negative and positive paths crossed and recrossed, canceled each other out and while at times this proved to be of great advantage and service for the world, and it moved forward, at other times not so much. At those times Mankind moved backwards, allowed good within to sour and dark thoughts of hate grew apace, and took deep root within Mankind. 

Such a time is now. We have done so: very obviously, very raucously, with a heavy coating of hate and emphasis on differences between, rather than similarities among. We have recreated ourselves in so deep and intensive a manner, have redefined ourselves so grossly that we are losing sight or have actually lost sight already of who, what we are, where we belong and where others feel we belong as well and mighty clashes have grown up in response to those concerns.    

  For example, me. I now have a different me inside.  For most of my life I was sure of who I was. I was an American Of that I was sure and yes, of course, I was Jewish as well. But that had nothing to do with who I was, am(?) and the first word of that definition was American. Born, bred, made my life here. Again, why not? Why would I expect it to be any different?  No, no doubt about it. I proudly pledged, sang all the requisite patriotic songs-an American, always.   

And again, why not? I was born here. I expected to finish here as well.  Why would I think there would ever come a time when I would think differently, when that change was forced upon me, when it became quite clear, the evidence mounting, evidence that old ugliness truly does not wither away from disuse and neglect, from obviousness and clarity of vision.  That hate has a resilience beyond all reasonability that you will hate and/or be hated. It is toxic, long lasting and ever present and growing, infusing Hate with ever more power and popularity, more hate that one can ever imagine. 

Through the centuries it has evidenced itself many times over. Even in America. Nastiness of petty level. But we were wrong, as we ignored it, hoping it would go away. It did not and the perpetrators were emboldened and went further. Violence, attacks on the street, harassment, threats in real life and online, on social media. Serious vandalism, invasion and death. Yes- death. A somewhat   hidden virus renourished, empowered to do its worst. Like Topsy in Uncle Tom's Cabin, it just grew.  

Someone, many a someone, wants to kill me. 

Kill me because I was, am, a Jewish woman, a member of the Judaic faith, of a people of many faces and colors, ethnicities, but all Jewish, with the same prayers, the same dreams.

WE ARE TARGETS OF HATE.

ALL JEWS ARE TARGETS.

So why then do we see Jews prominently displayed, up front and center at demonstrations supporting the very ones who want to kill them. Who say it openly, that their aim is to kill ALL Jews, their enemy. And cheer for the brutal murderers of Hamas.

Why stand with those who have killed so many other Jews and would as easily step on you as they would an ant. You stand with those who have already murdered your soul and now would have your body as well.

Why do you wear the kaffiyeh, equivalent at this point to the wearing of a swastika pin in the early years of Nazi Germany, indicating support for those who would kill you and your friends.

So again, I ask -

Why are there Jews colluding in their own degradation, growing isolation, and prominent targets of deadly violence and hate leading up to their own rain of insults from supposed friends and professors who incite the very spasm of violence rampant on college campuses. Who violate their every oath and responsibility and duties of a true teacher.      

And no- appeasement does not work well. 

History has tragically taught us so. 

Folks, WHO ARE YOU?

WHERE ARE YOU IN THIS BATTLE, YES, BATTLE, FOR THE SOULS OF HUMANITY?

WHERE ARE YOU? BODY AND SOUL.

I know where my yesterdays were. They were with my ancestors in Europe, fighting to stay alive, defying all those who wished to see them dead and gone.

They did not get that wish nor will any of the haters of today.    

My tomorrows remain within a great cloud of uncertainty and peril. But apparently there is a whole lot more than that simple answer. Even though that should not be the case.

More tomorrow,

 Am I an American? Yes, I am.

But I am so much more than that.