Yom Hashoah – a day when the world pays respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule. And because of Yom Hashoah, as I remember
- that horrific time in history for millions of Jewish people, gypsies, gays, ordinary citizens
- other moments – in time, other places – of terror and suffering: Beirut … Indian residential schools … Paris … a school named Sandy Hook … the Twin Towers … a marathon in Boston … slave ships … a night club in Orlando … Las Vegas … a churches, synagogues, temples … caged children, youth and adults ,,, university campuses – and the list goes on … and on … and on …
the words of Rabbi Michael Lerner (“The task at this moment … remind ourselves that we are inextricably bound to each other and to everyone on the planet”) echo through my mind and I find myself
- remembering lessons of the past
- wondering if we will ever truly remember and learn
- asking questions
Questions like …
If changes in gun laws don’t happen, now … when?
If hatred for ‘the other’ whose skin is a different colour, worships in a different way, wears different clothing, speaks a different language doesn’t end, now … when?
If immoral laws aren’t changed by new leadership, now … when?
If political leaders lie and steal and are corrupt aren’t voted out of office … when?
If children are not given the opportunity for a well-rounded education taught by competent, professional, respected teachers who are well paid … when?
If those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help … when?
If …
If not now,
W H E N ?
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© june maffin
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Dear June,
As your beloved Hans, of blessed memory, once said, history does repeat itself.
We the people who want a better and more peaceful world can never allow it to happen again.
Thanks for telling us about this poem. There is so much suffering in the world.
I remember seeing Emaciated Jews in 1945 newsreels. Now refugees suffer-often emotionally where we can’t guess the horrors they have lived through. I teach a Syrian woman disabled by war in Aleppo 7 years ago and there was no doctor to help. We need to reach out to them with love. Thank you.