ignorance and anger

IGNORANCE AND ANGER
i was just watching this show on the Discovery Times channel called "Off to War". i will not go into detail about the people that it followed, because it would seem to allow this to simply fit some stereotypes that i do not wish to prolong. the point is, it is about several soldiers and their families and how each side is coping with the war in Iraq.

many of the wives and mothers sat gathered in a classroom, a simple support group for the families at the military base. the woman who led the group stood up and said "my husband sent me the truth about Muslims. they like candy! apparently they've got a sweet tooth." and everyone else laughed as she explained that her husband had requested that someone send them "Fireball" candy.

i was disgusted. i still am. i cannot believe they could say that.

and to add to it one of the soldiers sent a video back home and told his family about his "haji smokes". cigarettes he bought in Iraq, explaining that "a haji is someone who has gone on pilgrimmage to Mecca, but here we just kinda use it as a racial thing."

more disgust.

FORGIVE TO SHAKE THINGS UP
it is in moments of seeing and sensing this prejudice in other people that i wonder how i can truly love them and forgive them.
but i figure if you forgive someone who does not deserve it (i.e. all of us) then it kinda throws them off and allows them to re-evaluate.

perhaps this is why i am ashamed to be raised by the west. but i do not believe i was raised by parents who adhere very strictly to the life of a westerner. they care and they go. and when my younger sister (now in th grade) goes off to college and survives her freshman year, they're talking about going once more, for good. they may join World Vision in Africa or abroad, until their retirement or even death. perhaps that is why i am well aware that i do not totally belong.

MANDATE FOR THE MASSES
i am going to make it mandatory for anyone and everyone present at my goodbye/birthday party to bring me a single dollar. no less, and only more if they wish to. all that money will be pooled into one check that i will send to Blood:Water Mission. i don't really want much before i go to Nigeria.

Jason and Emilee are in Monterey right now beginning their training. the course of events that will forever change me have been set firmly into action.

I can roll with that.

love and peace or else, brothers and sisters.
Salaams.