"Othering" and our polarized society, especially self-righteousness in the guise of tolerance. Part of my young, city years were spent at an inner city Methodist church (
Wells UMC) with a very liberal mindset for that place and time. Our pastor, Keith Tonkel, warned us repeatedly that it was easy to judge the obviously self-righteousness against progress but in the process, we ourselves were becoming self-righteousness. That was twenty plus years ago and the problem has only worsened on both 'sides,' especially this year.
Keith passed away several years ago.
He left a wonderful legacy for those who knew him. I only wish he had written an instruction manuel so others could learn from his love and wisdom. He did publish a couple of volumes of poetry.
One of Keith's untitled poems:
Labels divide.
We should not be afraid
to declare our points of view
to give names to our ideas.
All too often, however,
we force people into labels:
Liberal or conservative,
fundamentalist or evangelical
faithful or sinful,
something or nothing,
and countless shades of in between.
Excuse my reluctance
to buy neat categories.
I find myself
some of this,
and that,
and the other.
Which, they say,
Makes me ‘suspect.’
Suspect I am,
for my head and heart
will not allow
the confining definitions.
I’m more of one thing
than the other,
and choose to live
In a strong faith and value place.
Definitions don’t define,
and designations don’t explain,
and labels don’t describe.
Not to me,
not in matters of the head
and heart.
Wear your label
if you must,
I can live
in the ‘exodus’ space.
