Category Archives: Social Issues

December 8, 2015

A Letter to my International Friends

A Letter to my International Friends,

I really hate discussing politics. I’d much rather write flash fiction stories or wax poetic about nature or other things equally benign, but I feel my hand has been forced this week. It’s unavoidable really. And I do hope you’ll read my letter, because there is something I’d like you to know about me.

I am not an American who agrees with our latest political leader wannabe, Donald Trump and others, that we should close our borders to every Muslim person in the world. And while we’re on the topic, that goes for our neighbors in Mexico and the Syrian Refugees who seek haven here. I don’t believe that hiding behind our borders or giving in to our fears makes us safer. It’s important to me that you know I am not part of that America. The America I live in is welcoming to the stranger, a haven for the refugee and inclusive to all.

And I am not an American who believes that the poor are solely responsible for their plight. That they just need to stop being poor by pulling themselves up by their boot straps and start working. Some of the hardest working people I know can’t afford a roof over their head or food for their table because they do not earn a living wage. The corporate lobbiests and many politicians don’t believe in helping the poor. They believe that the poor are moochers and lazy. But I need you to know that I believe that this is immoral and wrong and simply not true, at least in the America that I live in.

I am not an American who believes that women need to be treated differently and in many cases, less than, in our society. This equates to less pay, limited access to health care and limited control over their bodies and lives. The America that I believe in supports equality for women in all ways…period.

I live in the America that seeks to divide, exclude and deny rights to people who are different. But I need you to know that even though I live in this America, I don’t believe in doing any of those things. I don’t feel the need to exercise my own personal rights to the exclusion of others. And I certainly don’t believe that it is right to use my rights to deny someone else theirs. I believe the civil war was settled 150 years ago. That it is a sad page of history from our past, but that it should remain in the past. The America I live in knows that when the rights of one person are threatened or denied, everyone’s rights are at risk.

I suspect that you may get the impression that America is a wild-west gun-toting dangerous place. With a whopping 270 million to 310 million guns owned in this country I can understand why you might believe this. But in truth that number represents only about 37% of our total population (according to the Pew Research Center). I am one of the 63% that don’t own a weapon. I support the 2^nd amendment and a citizen’s right to own a gun. But I think we should be doing a much better job of monitoring and managing those who should not own a gun based on mental health or criminal record status…and I believe that there are certain kinds of weapons, meant only for killing people, not hunting for food, or personal protection, that shouldn’t be sold on the free market. If I’m being totally honest, I am pretty scared of that 37%.

The America I believe in would provide health care to all as a right, not a privilege for only those who can afford it. It would provide a quality education for our young people, including college. It would ensure that all children be given the best possible start in life, with continuing support along the way. I’ve been watching some of you other countries. And you’re getting it right. Maybe it’s because you’ve been around a bit longer. We’re rather new in this being a nation thing. And I admit that we have a lot to learn. I do hope that one day we too can get it right.

Thank you for reading my letter. I know that the other America, the loud one, is getting a lot of press these days, but I want you to know that there are more people like me. And while I feel the need to apologize for the ugliness and hate you see spewing from our shores…and I do apologize, please know that there are also those of us who really do want to get along…who believe we are part of the human race that includes all the peoples of the world…not just our little corner of it. And I hope you know that like many of you, we wish and hope for peace.

Signed,

Me…kat…a voice from the America that is not blasted in the media

p.s. now I think I will get back to my poetry and prose. 🙂

25 Comments | posted in Essays, Social Issues

November 22, 2015

Sunday’s Week in Review – 22 November 2015

By Kat Myrman

Fear is exhausting. But in the midst of all the fear, ugliness and chaos of this past week, I learned that some things are even more important than being right or winning. Those things are community, inclusivity, compassion, empathy and love.

It doesn’t matter who we are, or where we came from, we’re in this life together. We are all made from the same cloth. Life is messy and weird and magnificent and fragile. But it is life…all our lives. A precious gift.

This week encouraged me to try to be better. When we all try to be better, miracles can and do happen.

As we head into this coming week of thanksgiving here in my country, I am grateful most of all to be on this journey with so many beautiful souls. With you.

May you have a lovely week surrounded by those you hold most dear.

This is a snapshot of the week that was…

She sighed, sweet release.
brackish atonement.
preservation from decay
come winter we’ll sleep.
She marched right past that lion never letting on how terrified she was.
His kind are all show!
Perhaps we need to have a revival.
Born of tragedy, it would be the legacy now…
leaving no stained rock unturned
Penurious souls
All twittering and conversing stopped as a hush filled the space.
peace to everyone on this night of miracles!
Directions? He preferred taking scenic detours.
It was weird and beautiful and crazy and magnificent…the night Roanoke got real.

~ kat ~ 22 November 2015

If you’re new to this blog, a bit of background to explain the verse above. It is a line from each poem or prose from the previous week. Lifted and placed in the order written. A snapshot review of the week. It helps me clean the slate…reflect and ready myself for the new week.

4 Comments | posted in Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality

November 21, 2015

A Miracle in the Star City

By Kat Myrman

The #realRoanoke gathered last night, close to 300 strong, on a Friday night when the Valley was bustling with Concerts, Black-Tie events and various HS Football Games. Beautiful souls, young and old, representing the incredible diversity of our community, chose to tell the world that we are a welcoming, inclusive town…even to refugees…even in the face of terrorism, the real Roanoke welcomes all who might seek haven here in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It felt like a miracle to me. Smiling faces…welcoming faces…the love in the room was a tangible sign of hope!

Photo Credit: Freeda Cathcart

We met inside the UU church, standing room only filling the main hall, adjoining spill over room and lobby. But I had no sense that a religious affiliation was requisite. What drew us to this place was our common humanity.

Panoramic View by Jason Garrett

We started off with a rousing tournament of Rock-Paper-Scussors! Rising to the top was a fellow named Gary, followed, in second place, by a delightful 10 year old girl. When asked what she thought about her victory she smiled and said, “It’s kinda’ weird.” It was weird and beautiful and crazy and magnificent…the night Roanoke got real.

We heard refugee testimonials. And took away a few tools as we go forward in this scary, brave new world. Yes people are scared. Fear causes one to act out in all sorts of irrational ways. Before we left, our organizer, Delegate Sam Rasoul gave us a lesson in the art of dialog that I will close with. As he said, it’s as easy as A-B-C. With family gatherings coming up, I hope you find this useful!

A…ACKNOWLEDGE…When brooching a controversial topic with someone, listen to their side. Then acknowledge…”I get what you’re saying…”

B…BRIDGE…I know what you’re thinking…B is for a big fat “BUT”…but you should NEVER follow an acknowledgment with a but. No ifs ands or buts about it. You’ve listened to their side and acknowledged it. It’s time to share yours. The bridge phrase our wise Delagate suggested to avoid shutting down the conversation with a “but” was to simply say, “here’s the thing…” There’s a “thing”? Most people, he said, will be curious enough to let you tell them what the “thing” is.

And C…CONVINCE. This is where facts come in handy with references and a dose of personal sentiment so that you can show that you care. Use the phrase…”that is why…”

The following is an example of the A-B-C’s of discussing hot topics.

On the topic of refugees…

“I get what you’re saying and understand why you are scared to let strangers come here…here’s the thing…the conservative think tank, the Cato institute recently revealed the findings of a study that says “of the 859,629 refugees admitted from 2001 onwards, only three have been convicted of planning terrorist attacks on targets outside of the United States, and none was successfully carried out.” That is why I believe welcoming refugees is the right thing to do and doesn’t pose the threat that some would have us believe.”

Then let it simmer. Congratulations! You’ve just had a two way conversation that seemed impossible just a few short steps ago.

I wish you and yours a happy season of thanksgiving, family gatherings and productive dialog as we join together to realize our collective hopes and dreams for peace.

Peace & Love,

kat ~ 21 November 2015

6 Comments | posted in Essays, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality