The Inauguration through the eyes of a Zimbabwean.
HOPE IS ON THE WAY
By David Coltart20th January 2009
I have just finished celebrating the inauguration of President Barack Obama by watching it on television with my family. On a day when there is so much gloom in my beloved Zimbabwe – the legacy of decades of oppression – I found the entire occasion uplifting and inspiring. Today offers a beacon of hope for those of us throughout the world who are struggling against tyranny.
I was privileged to be present at the Democratic Convention in Boston in 2004 when Barack Obama first came to the attention of the international community. He delivered a stirring speech which had the refrain “Hope is on the way” repeated throughout. I was so inspired by that speech that I kept one of the placards handed out during the speech which bore that phrase and to this day it adorns the door of my study. It has served as a constant reminder to me during the last 4 bleak years that hope is indeed on the way. The events of today are a powerful confirmation of that promise.
Almost 45 years ago one of my most revered heroes Martin Luther King Jr. in his “I have a dream” speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial said:
“With this faith we will be able to we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day”.
Zimbabweans identify with those words – for Martin Luther King’s dream is our dream. Our nation has been in a state of extreme despair and pessimism for many years. We all long for a radical transformation of our great Nation – we long that fear, repression, intolerance, hate, callousness and suffering will be replaced by joy, liberty, tolerance, respect, compassion and hope.
The events of today before a Capitol Building constructed by slaves are a reminder that our merciful Lord is a God of truth, justice and compassion – that the Lord desires precisely the same things Martin Luther King dreamed about all those years ago. The sacrifice and struggle of faithful men and women struggling against tyranny using non violent means for what is just has not been in vain. God has honoured the dedicated and constant commitment of those people to the principles so eloquently enunciated by President Obama as follows:
“As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”
This was timely reminder not only to those who are able to wield great physical power but also to those of us in Zimbabwe who have to oppose a regime that wields that power against us to frustrate our legitimate aspirations for freedom. It is a reminder that our strength does not lie in our ability to confront violence with violence; our strength lies more in our commitment to “enduring convictions”. And there is in these words the massive encouragement that there is a President in the White House who is at his heart a human rights lawyer, who understands why respecting the rule of law and human rights is so important if the world is to progress from dictatorship, war and chaos to global peace, harmony, sustainable economic development and prosperity. We do indeed have a friend in the White House who understands what we are struggling for and why it is important that we continue to use the non violent means we have chosen to achieve that goal.
Finally we in Zimbabwe take great encouragement from the following words so clearly directed in our minds at Robert Mugabe and his brutal regime:
“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
We in Zimbabwe know all about “the fist” because it has been waved against us for almost 3 decades. We know all about a leadership that blames the catastrophic destruction of our Nation on the West but which in fact is itself responsible for the decay of our wonderful land because of their corruption, deceit and ready use of violence.
It is somewhat ironic that it is through this new American President, who is so deeply committed to respecting human rights, that some way out is offered to those who are on the wrong side of history. The offer to “extend a hand” to those who will “unclench the fist” is a timely reminder to Zanu PF even on this day which is as depressing in Zimbabwe as it is joyful in the United States of America. The reminder must surely be that it is not too late for this regime to stop its brutality; to stop its torture, to release the unjustly accused, to negotiate genuinely so the Global Political Agreement is implemented in its true spirit.
But there is also in these words a warning that if the fist remains clenched this President will act. That is not to say that other world leaders, including President Bush, have idly stood by. What however will make the actions of President Obama so effective is that they cannot be dismissed as racist. So we can take heart that Robert Mugabe’s regime has been served a powerful warning today that whilst there is a window of opportunity open it must be grasped quickly and in good faith.
Hope is indeed on the way.
Senator David Coltart Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
SAD
Listening to Modest Mouse, the only thing right now that can slightly jolt me out of the fog of depression. I’ve been trying so hard…
Eating right, sleeping right, trying to draw on every positive coping source that I know of, but the sad reality is that I don’t have much control over the way my body, mind and the changing seasons interact. It is what it is. And I have to wake up each day ready to fight, ready to squeeze some drop of life from my day so that I do not drown.
I’m still conscious of hope. I still am looking forward to the future, but I feel this pervasive tiredness dragging me down.
I can’t wait until June. Meanwhile, I am reading the Psalms. Clinging to every word. I never knew they could be so comforting.
Eating right, sleeping right, trying to draw on every positive coping source that I know of, but the sad reality is that I don’t have much control over the way my body, mind and the changing seasons interact. It is what it is. And I have to wake up each day ready to fight, ready to squeeze some drop of life from my day so that I do not drown.
I’m still conscious of hope. I still am looking forward to the future, but I feel this pervasive tiredness dragging me down.
I can’t wait until June. Meanwhile, I am reading the Psalms. Clinging to every word. I never knew they could be so comforting.
Monday, January 12, 2009
NOOOOO (actually, thank you)
Who Would Jesus Smack Down? - Mark Driscoll, a Pastor with a Macho Conception of Christ - NYTimes.com
Now, why did this article go ahead and have to ruin my day? Arg.
Commentary to follow shortly.
(a few hours later)
Today’s article on Mark Driscoll and the “new” Calvinism pushed me over the edge. I am officially and proudly a Wesleyan. I knew it was only a matter of time before it came to this. Growing up in a Free Methodist denomination, attending a Free Methodist university, currently attending a (formerly) Methodist church, and applying to four Methodist graduate schools all point to the inevitable. I might as well join the Methodist Church! Than and I were pretty close, actually. But I think we are too independent in spirit for now.
I should say that I've learned a lot from my Calvinist friends. Both Than and I credit our former pastor Mike Gunn at Harambee Church (formerly a Mars Hill branch) with grounding our theology of mission. Gunn taught us some important lessons about theological balance and moderation. In many ways, his mentorship has grounded our life goals and vision as a couple. We will never forget his unwavering emphasis on Christ.
But it’s all making sense now – my affinity for Anglicanism, my draw to social justice, my connection to certain theologians. I guess SPU accomplished its job: the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is burned into my memory. I admire its moderation, its balance, its harmony, its practicality.
I was talking to Than in the car after church yesterday. We were both suspicious of some Calvinist undertones we had been hearing recently. I mentioned that I loved the idea that all the commandments can be summed up in two: loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. Incorporated into these commandments is the idea of loving one’s self. I am deeply grateful for this injunction to care for our own selves and discover our own intrinsic worth even as we recognize it in others.
So today I did a quick search for “Wesleyanism” on Wikipedia and BAM! the second sentence says this: “At its heart, the theology of John Wesley stressed the life of Christian holiness: to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.” A sign from above, or what? That officially did it. For the first time in my life, I’m falling on the side of a particular theology and I’m falling hard.
An emphasis on theological balance, integrity, equality, and social justice – what more could a girl ask for?
Now, why did this article go ahead and have to ruin my day? Arg.
Commentary to follow shortly.
(a few hours later)
Today’s article on Mark Driscoll and the “new” Calvinism pushed me over the edge. I am officially and proudly a Wesleyan. I knew it was only a matter of time before it came to this. Growing up in a Free Methodist denomination, attending a Free Methodist university, currently attending a (formerly) Methodist church, and applying to four Methodist graduate schools all point to the inevitable. I might as well join the Methodist Church! Than and I were pretty close, actually. But I think we are too independent in spirit for now.
I should say that I've learned a lot from my Calvinist friends. Both Than and I credit our former pastor Mike Gunn at Harambee Church (formerly a Mars Hill branch) with grounding our theology of mission. Gunn taught us some important lessons about theological balance and moderation. In many ways, his mentorship has grounded our life goals and vision as a couple. We will never forget his unwavering emphasis on Christ.
But it’s all making sense now – my affinity for Anglicanism, my draw to social justice, my connection to certain theologians. I guess SPU accomplished its job: the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is burned into my memory. I admire its moderation, its balance, its harmony, its practicality.
I was talking to Than in the car after church yesterday. We were both suspicious of some Calvinist undertones we had been hearing recently. I mentioned that I loved the idea that all the commandments can be summed up in two: loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. Incorporated into these commandments is the idea of loving one’s self. I am deeply grateful for this injunction to care for our own selves and discover our own intrinsic worth even as we recognize it in others.
So today I did a quick search for “Wesleyanism” on Wikipedia and BAM! the second sentence says this: “At its heart, the theology of John Wesley stressed the life of Christian holiness: to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.” A sign from above, or what? That officially did it. For the first time in my life, I’m falling on the side of a particular theology and I’m falling hard.
An emphasis on theological balance, integrity, equality, and social justice – what more could a girl ask for?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
transcending our smallness
Lee Stranahan: Embrace What You Have In Common With Rick Warren
Usually, I avoid commenting on this topic because it is so controversial and endlessly complex. I have to sympathize with the outrage that those in the LGTBQ community feel about the choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration. But, let's give some credit to the fact that Obama also invited Rev. Lowery to give the closing prayer - and he supports gay marriage (sort of).
Honestly, I can't help but admire Obama for putting into practice his promise to welcome all people to the table, even if he fundamentally disagrees with them on some issues. I certainly don't agree with Obama on everything. I definitely don't agree with Warren on everything. But I respect that Warren has a credible moral voice on some issues like poverty in Africa and HIV/AIDS; his willingness to break rank with rank and file evangelical conservatives by reaching out to Obama is commendable.
At the same time (and I'm going to contradict myself here), I do wonder if if was necessary to pick a prominent pastor from CA who opposed Prop. 8, so soon after the election. There are certainly liberal or progressive evangelical pastors who might have been a better choice to bridge the divides in America ---- a Jim Wallis or Tony Campolo comes to mind. But then again, they have been fairly written off by conservative evangelicals, so it lacks the same punch. Is this pick needlessly divisive or a needed act of bridge building? Is it cynical pandering or a principled commitment to inclusivity despite difference?
I agree with Stranahan that we have very small politics in this country --- in fact, our politics are too small for problems that face us. We have to learn to work together. We have to learn to practice reconciliation and civil discourse. We have to learn how to see a fundamental goodness in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, even if we disagree with some of their ideas and opinions. And we have to rely on reason, genuine dialogue, and authentic relationship to create social change.
Did I support Prop. 8? No. I understand the justifiable hurt and outrage that so many in CA are experiencing right now. But do I support censoring and excluding people from the public sphere just because they happen to support it? No. Yeah, Obama could have picked a less "divisive" figure, but I still respect the courage that Warren and Obama are both showing as they break our old paradigms. Don't think that Warren isn't getting equally criticized from the right for supporting Obama on some positions. It's antithetical to some in the Christian community that Warren would be willing to engage in dialogue and friendship with someone who supports gay rights and is pro-choice. So, both Obama and Warren are getting hit from the right and the left. Personally, whenever, I see that happen, I think it's a good sign even if I might not have made the same choice in Obama's position; I think it is a healthy political climate when we can no longer box our leaders into dichotomous ideologies.
Stranahan says it best:
"in the long run this new politics benefits us all. Ironically, it benefits the minorities and marginalized and ill-treated the most. I know this may be hard for many to see right now but the truth is that this sort of symbol is what America needs. Not seeing just Warren on stage or just Lowery but seeing both of them of there at once.
Obama said it in the abstract time and again during the campaign. Now he's showing us. Seeing the things that Pastor Rick Warren and Reverend Joseph Lowery have in common is more important than seeing the things that separate them. America needs to see that. It's a step down the road where a majority of us see the things that straight Americans in love want are the same things that gay Americans in love want, too.
If you are mad about Rick Warren, I'm not attacking you. I understand your anger and I'm not saying it's not justified. But it's all right to let your anger go, too. It doesn't mean surrender, it doesn't mean giving up the struggle for equality.
It means doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. It means winning, right now - because the fight against hate starts whenever you want it, in your own heart. You can win a battle right now by not hating.
Can I get an amen?"
Usually, I avoid commenting on this topic because it is so controversial and endlessly complex. I have to sympathize with the outrage that those in the LGTBQ community feel about the choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration. But, let's give some credit to the fact that Obama also invited Rev. Lowery to give the closing prayer - and he supports gay marriage (sort of).
Honestly, I can't help but admire Obama for putting into practice his promise to welcome all people to the table, even if he fundamentally disagrees with them on some issues. I certainly don't agree with Obama on everything. I definitely don't agree with Warren on everything. But I respect that Warren has a credible moral voice on some issues like poverty in Africa and HIV/AIDS; his willingness to break rank with rank and file evangelical conservatives by reaching out to Obama is commendable.
At the same time (and I'm going to contradict myself here), I do wonder if if was necessary to pick a prominent pastor from CA who opposed Prop. 8, so soon after the election. There are certainly liberal or progressive evangelical pastors who might have been a better choice to bridge the divides in America ---- a Jim Wallis or Tony Campolo comes to mind. But then again, they have been fairly written off by conservative evangelicals, so it lacks the same punch. Is this pick needlessly divisive or a needed act of bridge building? Is it cynical pandering or a principled commitment to inclusivity despite difference?
I agree with Stranahan that we have very small politics in this country --- in fact, our politics are too small for problems that face us. We have to learn to work together. We have to learn to practice reconciliation and civil discourse. We have to learn how to see a fundamental goodness in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, even if we disagree with some of their ideas and opinions. And we have to rely on reason, genuine dialogue, and authentic relationship to create social change.
Did I support Prop. 8? No. I understand the justifiable hurt and outrage that so many in CA are experiencing right now. But do I support censoring and excluding people from the public sphere just because they happen to support it? No. Yeah, Obama could have picked a less "divisive" figure, but I still respect the courage that Warren and Obama are both showing as they break our old paradigms. Don't think that Warren isn't getting equally criticized from the right for supporting Obama on some positions. It's antithetical to some in the Christian community that Warren would be willing to engage in dialogue and friendship with someone who supports gay rights and is pro-choice. So, both Obama and Warren are getting hit from the right and the left. Personally, whenever, I see that happen, I think it's a good sign even if I might not have made the same choice in Obama's position; I think it is a healthy political climate when we can no longer box our leaders into dichotomous ideologies.
Stranahan says it best:
"in the long run this new politics benefits us all. Ironically, it benefits the minorities and marginalized and ill-treated the most. I know this may be hard for many to see right now but the truth is that this sort of symbol is what America needs. Not seeing just Warren on stage or just Lowery but seeing both of them of there at once.
Obama said it in the abstract time and again during the campaign. Now he's showing us. Seeing the things that Pastor Rick Warren and Reverend Joseph Lowery have in common is more important than seeing the things that separate them. America needs to see that. It's a step down the road where a majority of us see the things that straight Americans in love want are the same things that gay Americans in love want, too.
If you are mad about Rick Warren, I'm not attacking you. I understand your anger and I'm not saying it's not justified. But it's all right to let your anger go, too. It doesn't mean surrender, it doesn't mean giving up the struggle for equality.
It means doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. It means winning, right now - because the fight against hate starts whenever you want it, in your own heart. You can win a battle right now by not hating.
Can I get an amen?"
Monday, December 15, 2008
sleep in heavenly peace
Naming your dreams is scary --- I always go through this superstitious process that goes something like this. If I say out loud (or pray for) what I really really hope for or want or desire, than I risk being foolish, pretentious, or naïve. Who is to say that I deserve a particular path or dream? Rally, it’s just a complex way of not wanting to “jinx” my future, as if God is going to despise me or judge me for hoping. Despite all my platitudes about faith and trust, I truly have a hard time owning and naming my dreams before God and trusting that God has created me for a specific purpose and calling.
Anyway, yesterday, I drew out hopes for the new year on a piece of paper as an act of prayer.
Here are my New Year hopes and Advent stirrings:
For meaningful creative work, mentors and community
For opportunities to engage in exploration and self-expression
For the opportunity to engage ideas, to write, and bring together word and spirit in a facilitated way (i.e. graduate school)
I can’t help but still feeling a trace of guilt in this being my biggest hope right now – I mean really, it all seems so selfish and focused around me, even though my vision is that I will be prepared for service and ministry, and I long more than anything to work towards justice, reconciliation, and healing. I’m not sure where that voice comes from: the voice that accuses me and interrogates me, but I don’t think it's reality.
I love that verse that talks about the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds. I’ve come back to that often in the last few months. We really do need that peace beyond understanding to protect us from all the logical or illogical forces that threaten to steal our life, hope, and dreams.
I’m trying to breathe in that peace and offer it to those around me.
Anyway, yesterday, I drew out hopes for the new year on a piece of paper as an act of prayer.
Here are my New Year hopes and Advent stirrings:
For meaningful creative work, mentors and community
For opportunities to engage in exploration and self-expression
For the opportunity to engage ideas, to write, and bring together word and spirit in a facilitated way (i.e. graduate school)
I can’t help but still feeling a trace of guilt in this being my biggest hope right now – I mean really, it all seems so selfish and focused around me, even though my vision is that I will be prepared for service and ministry, and I long more than anything to work towards justice, reconciliation, and healing. I’m not sure where that voice comes from: the voice that accuses me and interrogates me, but I don’t think it's reality.
I love that verse that talks about the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds. I’ve come back to that often in the last few months. We really do need that peace beyond understanding to protect us from all the logical or illogical forces that threaten to steal our life, hope, and dreams.
I’m trying to breathe in that peace and offer it to those around me.
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