"We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you [freakin'] slob's all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like"
---Everlast
This song came on the radio while I was driving to school today. I have heard the song many times over the years but today it struck a chord with me (no pun intended). Maybe because I actually focused on the lyrics and not the catchy rhythm, maybe because I live in Memphis and this song is indicative of the surrounding culture, or maybe it was a divine opening of my ears to a message that for too long I have been blocking out. You can find the full lyrics to the song here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/everlast/whatitslike.html
Now I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was not born on the street either. I have had to work for many things in my life but I have never had to beg or steal to feed myself or my family. I have not gone to Harvard or Yale and I may never be a billionaire CEO. However, my families needs are met and I am working towards a college degree. I have been blessed. I have been so blessed that I sometimes fail to see that there are others who are less fortunate. To be honest I do not fail to see it, I choose not to look because to look puts me in a position where I must make a choice. A choice that will reveal my heart, my motivation, who I am. The fact is I know what the choice will be and I hate to admit that, that is who I am so rather than face the choice, I ignore the voice. The voice of those who are suffering because they do not have enough to eat; because they do not have a place to sleep; because they have no means to better their situation. However, if I acknowledge their voice then I must make a choice. God forbid that I refuse to help someone in need, when I have the means to care for them.
"When you care for the least among you, you do it to me."
-Jesus Christ-
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you [freakin'] slob's all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like"
---Everlast
This song came on the radio while I was driving to school today. I have heard the song many times over the years but today it struck a chord with me (no pun intended). Maybe because I actually focused on the lyrics and not the catchy rhythm, maybe because I live in Memphis and this song is indicative of the surrounding culture, or maybe it was a divine opening of my ears to a message that for too long I have been blocking out. You can find the full lyrics to the song here: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/everlast/whatitslike.html
Now I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was not born on the street either. I have had to work for many things in my life but I have never had to beg or steal to feed myself or my family. I have not gone to Harvard or Yale and I may never be a billionaire CEO. However, my families needs are met and I am working towards a college degree. I have been blessed. I have been so blessed that I sometimes fail to see that there are others who are less fortunate. To be honest I do not fail to see it, I choose not to look because to look puts me in a position where I must make a choice. A choice that will reveal my heart, my motivation, who I am. The fact is I know what the choice will be and I hate to admit that, that is who I am so rather than face the choice, I ignore the voice. The voice of those who are suffering because they do not have enough to eat; because they do not have a place to sleep; because they have no means to better their situation. However, if I acknowledge their voice then I must make a choice. God forbid that I refuse to help someone in need, when I have the means to care for them.
"When you care for the least among you, you do it to me."
-Jesus Christ-
Josh,
ReplyDeleteEvery time I choose not to acknowledge the existence of another human being, I sacrifice part of my humanity as well. Does our interconnectedness entrust us with the responsibility to be compassionate towards one another? I once attended a discussion with Gayle Rose who argued that we should meet each other with an intentional awareness of "acknowledging the me I see in you." Voices that call us to action compete with others that justify inaction creating cognitive dissonance that often immobilizes us--me above all others.
Jessica Swan