We’re on hiatis until after the Fall recess.  Enjoy the break.  All the best to you and you loved ones.  See you on Friday, December 4.  Stay safe and stay well,

Peace.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

From a November 4, 1956, sermon delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

When we finally catch our groove and create a true Ministry of Love, I want in.  I carve out time each day to think about love — read about it; listen to people talk about it; search it out; try to hold it. I look for how love sounds; how love can solve problems; pop-culture love; how love looks; who speaks of love and for love; love throughout and for the ages; my human-ness; bliss; clarity; spontaneity; improvisation; passion; language; learning; how it feels; how love is diplomacy; love as a muse; and how love carves a path to peace and connects with compassion. I hope the Ministry will give me a hookup.

So during the last week I’ve been lost in love and searching for a theme for next year’s commemoration of brother Martin Luther King’s legacy. I’m reading a couple of bios (one on Buddha and one on Muhammad), free flowing to myself, checking out the tubes, and walking around trying to catch a few vibes.  Then, I came across this video statement:

That’s strong. It’s refreshing; powerful; and, relevant.  Love this because people from all over the world engaged in a loving act – come together and discuss the role of compassion in our lives. Nice to see believers knee deep in building for us all instead f slugging it out. A global crew showed courage to suggest a manifesto for this age – compassion as the basis for human progress. Must be love?

This video pushed me to see that the good Dr. King was one of those people who stood up for love and with love as the simple plan and the approach for making me, and this world, better.  He reminded me that love’s got my back — about the hard work of living with love; love as a real power; and, the way love confronts.

So, in January, let’s give props to Dr. King by exploring the durable power of compassion and love.  Let’s make it inspirational, creative, and different. Got any ideas for helping us to think about love and Dr. King? Let me know.

Peace.

Always dug this Cornell West freestyle: “Justice is what love looks like in public.”

I can’t talk today (dental work) — you can.  Still lots to discuss and so little time.  Free your flow for a free flow Friday Coffee and Conversation.  I’ll bring the coffee, cookies, and my listening cap, you bring topic suggestions and your conversation.  See you, today, from 3 – 5 p.m. in the Howard Thurman Center.

Yeah, I saw it — derprintergang’s “Der Printergang” video:

(Also saw the same video, with different captions, on a variety of other subjects.) Students, as Nazis, concerned about University print policies and residential computer labs – I know it’s over the top, and I do get the point – ouch!

Heard the word on the street about this video throughout campus, including conversations with administrators and faculty. I refrained from replying to folk with DM and e-mail links so I could think about it before I passed it on or made comment. Don’t misread me – I’m not a killjoy; I love a good remix; I live for decent satire; I adore commentary on things going on; and, I think human around race, culture, and ethnicity, when done right, is some of the funniest stuff I’ve heard. My gut told me that this time I needed to move on.

Not sure we’re at a point where people portraying Nazis makes good satire. Reminded me of the unease I felt this summer with the Nazi commentary and remarks embedded in some conversations and demonstrations about health care. Maybe we should be over it. Maybe I’m just part of a generation that’s needlessly sensitive about these images and what they have implied – perhaps it’s time for us to grow up and appreciate humor. Is this akin to the Ego Trip videos that I enjoy? Do I need to just lighten up?

I’ll still think hard before I forward or retweet a satirical commentary that uses Nazis.

Peace.

Saw this clip from The Colbert Report and it reminded me that we still haven’t had the conversation about America’s struggle with race:

So, in this country, is it as we thought – that Obama’s election vindicates the civil rights movement and its creation of a culture where we all can truly be President? Didn’t the election wipe out the old cold race warriors who push cultural and racial differences down our throats? We lived to see the time of a generational understanding that race, in America, does not matter. No guilt required anymore – it’s about our good hearts and the content of your character.

Since the conditions are right, I, too, am sending in my resume for the secretary of post-racial affairs. If President O created one – and I am unsure he would – I could do a lot with the newly created position. (Just think of the water cooler and kitchen talk the messy confirmation hearings would bring.) So this Friday, during Coffee and Conversation, let’s discuss post-racial America and how we continue to move it along. Are we really living in a new post-racial America? What should we expect from the election a year ago? Did changes in racial attitudes amongst us influence the election results? Are we satisfied? Is America’s struggle with race finally over or at least coming to an end?

See you 3-5 p.m. in the Howard Thurman Center. I’m bringing the coffee and cookies; you bring a cup and your best conversation.

Peace

P.S. be sure to stop by the Human Race Machine.

What are you afraid of? Shopping; global climate change; swimming; finding a job; snakes; nuclear proliferation; the start of a New York Knicks season; death; the future; or, Saw VII. We spend a lot of time, effort, and resources dealing with our individual and collective fears. And, most of us will not take a moment to figure out what we’re scared of and why. Instead, we run.

It’s the season for scary things. Today during Coffee and Conversation, instead of running away, let’s talk about fear. What’s the worst thing that can happen? See you in the Howard Thurman Center from 3-5 p.m. Face your fear right now – write down your fear(s) in six words or fewer and bring it. I’ll have plenty of coffee, tea , and cookies (an ensure you that we will keep the lights on).

Peace.

My first response when I saw this video was, “Oh, snap!” I knew this had to be political satire (pretty good stuff, but I couldn’t find the names of the comedy writers). This is real and “keepin’ it real.” Politicians don’t do this kind of thing – show their families, especially when they are not in keeping with what’s believed to be traditional in American society? In America, people who want to get elected do not make tape like this and slam them on the tubes:

True – I never thought I would see this type of ad during my years on this planet. I’ve reconsidered.

This is “gangsta” – maybe the kind of campaign ad that can only fly New York (City); the old school spot where people from all over the world show up and where nothing is traditional. No, maybe this is the result of that era – we gave ourselves to during the last presidential election cycle – that is young, more racially and culturally experienced, and understanding that many folk worked hard to create. Is this the sign of that new America I’ve heard so much about, lately? Or, is this just the usual and time for me to declare the old racial cold war over?

Peace.

P.S. – This is not meant to be an endorsement of the candidate in the video.

]]> http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/28/shocking-yet-inspiring-video/feed/ 0 http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/22/inspiration-matters-students-holding-it-down/ http://www.bu.edu/dos/2009/10/22/inspiration-matters-students-holding-it-down/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:04:36 +0000 Kenneth Elmore http://www.bu.edu/dos/?p=1100

I like my inspiration like my coffee – usually straight up, strong, and, at times, with a little flavor. What inspires me? People who find a passion and show it in their life.

Each year I look forward to recognizing seniors who have distinguished themselves through their campus work—their passions—demonstrating it to us each day. I am inspired to hear the stories of hard-working, intelligent, and thoughtful students making this campus a vibrant thing. It always makes me proud to say that I am in the company of, as my parents would say, “good peoples.”

Tonight, I have the honor of recognizing Jordan Cumper, David Gargulio, David House, Colleen Huysman, Kelly McCarthy, Margaret McKemie, Sean McQuarrie, Emily Pallotta, Lauren Prince, Kelsey Bucher, Jonathan Scagos, Jeremy Schein and Francine Whu – thirteen members of our BU family – for their outstanding work at the University in a Scarlet Key Tapping Ceremony. Come get some inspiration and applaud these students with me – 6 p.m. in the Trustees’ Ballroom, One Silber Way (9th floor). (It’s a unique ceremony that includes a dean wielding a sword – true story!)

Congratulations to our honorees – people who show leadership and inspire straight up, in strong ways, and with a lot of creativity – and I hope I see you tonight.

Peace.

Just don’t get Iran. I read that we misunderstand the place – that is largely secular and liberal both socially and culturally; and, that the majority has a secular attitude towards politics and is open to the West. I also read of the troubling grandstanding, trash talk, and outrageousness of the country’s president?

In some ways, a revolutionary community and one that seems backwards to my Western, East coast educated, university-working, mind.

This summer, I watched the beef with elections in Iran on the tube (television and YouTube), read about it in the papers, and followed it on the net (especially through tweets). For once, I was confused about where to stand and whether to make a green solidarity avatar – I just didn’t understand the country and the issues enough.

So, let’s talk about Iran. Is it worth the energy and resources to be tight with and hang with Iran? Are we focusing in on the right issues? Quashing protestors v. a perceived nuclear threat? The secular centers of power v. a theocracy? Should we continue to sanction the country or push for more engagement? Is the president of Iran relevant? Have our country’s and Iran’s politicos used Iran- and America-bashing to advance unhelpful and unnecessary causes? Can we separate the musings of its president from the feelings of the people of Iran? Should we have a say in how Iran runs its country?

This Friday, during Coffee and Conversation, we’re talking about Iran. Have you been or do you have a connection? Let’s figure it out and send President O a note with suggestions. See you at the Howard Thurman Center, 3-5 p.m. I’ll bring the coffee and cookies; you bring your thoughts.

Until then, peace.