THE N-WORD

What's one difference between the N-Word and the F-Word? Whites can say the F-Word. 

IS THERE A DOUBLE STANDARD WITH THE N-WORD? ARE CULTURAL STANDARDS DIFFERENT OR JUST CATCHING UP?

I think most folks recognize that it is culturally acceptable for Blacks to use the N-Word, while it is NOT for non-Blacks. Have you wondered why?  Consider the following other derogatory terms:

• Jews don't use the K-Word the way blacks use the N-word. 
• Italians don't use the W-Word the way blacks use the N-word. 
• Chinese don't use the C-Word the way blacks use the N-word. 

If Jews, Italians and Chinese used their derogatory slur to describe themselves as freely as Blacks use the N-Word do you think those terms would be as "off limits" as the N-Word is?

I suspect that if Jews called each other "kikes" as freely as Blacks use the N-Word, it would be FAR more acceptable for gentiles to say "Kike."  

If all those slurs were used more freely, like Blacks used the N-Word, they would still have a certain degree of hate associated with them, however society would no longer be able measure the level of racist HATE merely by the use of the word.  One would have to evaluate whether the user INTENDED to express hate!!  One would have to consider the CONTEXT!!  For example, a Jew can display a swastika in the context of an article about the Holocaust. 

Blacks can use the N-Word in brotherly and humorous ways.  They can use in hateful ways too.  The point is that Blacks have largely converted the N-Word into a multipurpose word that can mean many things when Blacks themselves use the term.

I can assure you that Jews have NOT done so with the expression "Kike." I don't think Chinese have done that with the term "Chinc" either. 

So why don't we apply comparable criteria with the N-Word? Why is the exception made when it comes to intent and context as it relates to when it is acceptable to use the N-Word?

Whether you approve of it or not, the N-Word has been redined by Blacks. Plus it is fair to say that there is a double standard when it comes to the N-Word. Why is that?  

I think one reason ties in with Critical Race Theory and the notion that Blacks can NOT be racist and ALL Whites are racist. I don't buy it!!  But many Blacks do which is why the N-Word is still deemed off-limits for anyone who isn't Black.

Furthermore, I see a cultural battle taking place between those who want to retain that double standard and those that recognize it is unfair and inappropriate. Besides, isn't that how culture shifts? I'm pretty sure Elvis Presley would be shocked at the dance moves in today's Superbowl Half-time shows!  (There are some of us who still are disgusted at how woman are objectified. Pardon me for believing in God. But that's a double standard for another debate.)

In AVENUE Q, the Tony winner for "Best Broadway musical," there is a hit song that nails it. The title is:

"Everyone is a little bit racist, sometimes."

The key is sensitivity. The other key is to recognize that one may use a so called "racist" word without true hateful intent. Therefore, when judging a person for the use of such a term CONTEXT has to be taken into consideration.

I will conclude with a little Etymology Trivia regarding the term "Kike." 

We are mostly all aware that "Kike" is an ethnic slur for a Jewish person. But why - where did it come from? Here is an interesting popular theory on how it emerged. 

One popular theory is that it is derived from the Yiddish word for a 0 (circle) “kikel.”  It is a reference to how some Jewish immigrants at Ellis Island signed their entry forms with an "O" (a circle) as opposed to an X, which Jews associated with the cross of Christianity. Immigration officers described those who signed forms with a circle as “kikel,” eventually being shortened to “kike.” 

X's and O's are not hateful letters. They aren't loving letters either even though they can mean "hugs and kisses." Context is everything!

 

IF THE SHOE FITS . . .

I have been posing the following question for many months on my Facebook feed. 

"Why did you vote for Joe Biden?Seriously why?"

No one has bothered to answer it. In this blog post I will take a shot at it. You can be the judge if the shoe fits.  But before I do, please read this linked article which sets the stage for what I will say. 

Biden’s aweful results were predictable!  Here is what we knew on election day:

1. He's been more inaccessible to voters and the media than any Presidential candidate in decades.

2. He wouldn't address serious signs of his son's influence pedaling and corruption and very valid concerns that China, Russia and Iran stood to gain from Biden’s conflicts of interest.

3. He would damage energy production and our achieved energy independence and energy exports.

4. He would dismantle our border security and literally promote a crisis at our border. Heaven knows the damage to come from that.

5. He had an absolutely terrible reputation for bad judgment on foreign affairs and big decisions. 

6. He chose the worst vice president.

7. He was notorious for racist, sexist and factual gaffes and his behavior around little girls was beyond creepy. 

8. His cognitive capacity was obviously questionable and unlike Trump who went to lengths to prove he was fit for office, Biden mocked the notion of any testing?  

9. He was literally engaged in the Russian collusion Hoax and must have known the Steel Dosier was a fraud. 

10. It was obvious the Biden was influenced by the "Squad" and was moving to the radical Left on everything thing from killing the filibuster to voting reform to critical race theory.  And, if he could get away with packing the court he'd do it in a minute.

11. He campaigned from his basement!

I could go on, but the point is that Biden’s presidency is turning out just as could be expected! So I will recall the question again and then I will offer a possible answer.  See if the shoe fits. 

If there were so many reasons not to vote for Biden, then why did people vote for him?  

People voted for the only Democrat candidate they thought could beat Trump. It wasn't so much a vote for Biden as a vote against Trump.  

Hate for Trump and his supporters drove Biden voters to the polls. A vote for Biden was less a vote FOR Biden to be the POTUS than it was the desire for relief from the sickness and contempt people felt every time they looked at Trump. 

In effect, for more than a deciding number of voters who voted for Biden the act of  "pulling the lever" was a psychologically violent act against Trump. Voting was vengeful. It was about as gratifying as hitting Trump over the head. Many wished him dead from covid. 

Biden embodied hatred and contempt for Trump. He proudly spoke of taking Trump out back and beating him up. He verbally pounced on Trump supporters who dared to question him at his rare public appearances.  Biden exploited and encouraged hatred for Trump, and media fed him him every opportunity to do so.

For the other half who voted FOR Trump whether we liked him or loved him or simply tolerated his antics and obvious character flaws, we pulled the lever for what Trump's policies and leadership was accomplishing.  Which is nearly everything that Biden has managed to destroy in just 12 months. The train wreck isn't over!

Biden PROMISED to reverse everything that Trump did. Those who voted for Biden got precisely what they voted for. Their will never be another one like Trump. 

Biden also promised to "unity." The result is the opposite!  That was predictable. Why would anyone think that an act of hate could "unite this country??" Hate only gets one more hate!  Hate is the shoe! How does it fit?

"You are not to hate your brother in your heart. Instead, you are to firmly rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

You are not to take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am Adonai."  

Leviticus 19:17-18 

The great irony I see is that there was one other President that the Left hated as much or more than Donald J Trump. Guess who! 

HE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

RECOGNIZING GOD

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE TWO IMAGES?  

There is an obvious similarity between these two images. Many people will recognize the image on the left as a famous stained glass "Rose Window" hanging in a church.  Very few will recognize the other image to the right of it.  Ironically, that image is an even more compelling basis for believing in God. 

Can a scientist reconcile faith in God?  What if that scientist was one of the most credible and accomplished scientists in the world?  What if that scientist started out as an atheist with no faith throughout his life?

Could such a scientist find God in any sort of scientific way? Could such a scientist find God with the help of another highly educated and intelligent atheist?

What if the scientist I am referring to based his conclusions on logic and evidence?  What if this scientist came to his belief in God because it was the only plausible explanation for scientific facts?

The scenario I have posed is not hypothetical.  It is a real story.  If you have a hard time coming to faith, but wish you could, this story may be for you. But you would have to be a very intelligent scientific type to get through this story.  If so, perhaps you recognize the image on the right. If you are an atheist, better yet. 

By the way, the scientist I referred to is Francis S. Collins, the former director of the Human Genome Project. The other highly intelligent atheist who reached the same conclusion about God is C.H. Lewis. 

Here is Collins simplest scientific explanation for God:

"God, who is not limited in space or time, created this universe 13.7 billion years ago with its parameters precisely tuned – that fine-tuning argument – to allow the development of complexity over long periods of time. That plan included the mechanism of evolution to create this marvelous diversity of living things on our planet and to include ourselves, human beings. Evolution, in the fullness of time, prepared these big-brained creatures, but that’s probably not all we are from the perspective of a believer.

God, in that case, having a house that’s now well-designed for it, gifted humanity with free will and with a soul. We could argue about what a soul actually means. And at that point, humans received this special status: made in God’s image, not in physical terms, but in spiritual and mental terms. We humans used our free will to disobey God – that’s what the story of the Garden of Eden is all about – leading to our realization of being in violation of that moral law. Thus we were estranged from God. For Christians like myself, Jesus is the solution to that estrangement."

Here Collins telling his story:

https://youtu.be/EGu_VtbpWhE

In a Dark Time

A poem by Theodore Roethke

In a dark time, the eye begins to see,

I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;   

I hear my echo in the echoing wood—

A lord of nature weeping to a tree.

I live between the heron and the wren,   

Beasts of the hill and serpents of the den.

What’s madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstance? The day’s on fire!   

I know the purity of pure despair,

My shadow pinned against a sweating wall.   

That place among the rocks—is it a cave,   

Or winding path? The edge is what I have.

A steady storm of correspondences!

A night flowing with birds, a ragged moon,   

And in broad day the midnight come again!   

A man goes far to find out what he is—

Death of the self in a long, tearless night,   

All natural shapes blazing unnatural light.

Dark, dark my light, and darker my desire.   

My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly,   

Keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?

A fallen man, I climb out of my fear.   

The mind enters itself, and God the mind,   

And one is One, free in the tearing wind.

WE ARE UNWORTHY

Fetus at 20 Weeks

We are unworthy from the second of conception all the way until the moment of our death for God's grace.  But for the grace of God, we would not have the blessings of our birth, the air we breath, the food and water that sustains us.  By the grace of God we live another day. 

The womb was created by the same means by which the womb gives life. The womb was designed by God to be the perfect compassionate environment to sustain and nurture a brand new life for 40 weeks. The Hebrew word for womb also means compassion. 

The womb will determine whether the life it holds is viable. If it is not, the womb will miscarriage to end the life.  

If by a man and women's actions a new life is created, the womb takes possession of that life.  At the moment of conception one is "written in the Book of Life." 

Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.” 

That life is not it's mother or it's father. It has a unique design that no other human being on the planet has.  

If life has sanctity at all, then we all have an obligation to be respectful of a life whether that life is weeks away from birth or weeks away from death.

The Supreme Court is about to decide who gets to choose life or death.  It is about to decide whether our USA Constitution gave the Federal Government the right to end a life in the womb is a Constitutional right given to every woman in America. 

The potential of a human being begins when life begins. No one can deny the potential of an unborn child.    

Open your heart . . . 

Related Post - Give Women Better Choices

Such A Sad Thought

I had such a sad thought just now. It isn't the first time I've had this particular sad thought, but for some reason I decided to blog about it this time. 

The thought was that I didn't have God in my life. I looked for him and he wasn't there. That made me feel sad. 

Fortunately I snapped out of it immediately. I was just imagining for a brief moment what my life would be like without the relationship I've built with God. 

Speaking for myself, life takes on a special new meaning when we develop a relationship with God.  I believe others would agree that God provides us with a greater sense of purpose. We take comfort and toss off anxiety and fear. Some may feel a calling.  

Some people are afraid to have a relationship with God.  I understand the concern about giving up things we value and/or enjoy.  In a way, it is a bit like going on a diet. There can be some pleasure we forgo, but we feel so much better and healthier in exchange.  (Which reminds me that I need to do a better job practicing what I preach. LOL) 

In a relationship with God we gain guidance and there is less stress about the future. It is a relationship we can trust and turn to.  

Numbers 23:19 -- "God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it?"

With God we know we are loved. We experience new joys and our spirit soars.

The thought of not having God deflates our spirit like letting the air out of a balloon. Our heart sinks.  It is sad.

No matter how wealthy one is, if we do not have a relationship with God there is apt be a feeling of emptiness. It is the sense that our life is missing something.  Trying to fill the place where God belongs with anything but God is futile.  We are easily decieved into pursuing false gods.

Those false gods of this world discourage belief in El Elyon. It is difficult to believe in something we don't see but faith doesn't come from seeing.  

How can someone start a relationship with God?  Simple!  Because God is always waiting for our call. God is ready to come into our life the split second that we accept Hashem into our heart. When we do, our life is different. We are transformed. 

Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Expect divine fulfillment of God’s promises in your life.

God wrote a book for us filled with tremendous stories and instructions.  God provides us with teachers both physical and spiritual.  God shows us signs. God's small voice is in our heart - Shema!

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד

Sh'ma Yisra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad. Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

Establishing a relationship with God entails making a Covenant with God.  God is one - but it takes two in order to have relationship. The greater our love, the greater the gifts we give to show our love. The more we give, the more we recieve.  How terribly sad it is to think what it is like to not be in a relationship with God. Perish the thought. 

Amen

GIVE WOMEN BETTER CHOICES!

 

With Supreme Court rulings concerning abortion imminent there are many who are concerned that women will lose the right to a choice. 

Life is a choice. Death is a choice. The opposite of "life" is NOT "choice." It is "death." 

Deuteronomy 30:19 says "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

In my humble opinion ... The choice is simple. It has nothing to do with being a man or a woman.  It is about being a humain human being with common sense and compassion.

This article is about better life choices!

If one doesn't want their "seed" to spread, wear a condom or don't have sex. If one makes a bad choice, there are many other options including the "day after pill" and early-term abortion. 

Pregnancy test kits are readily available and women will have the means to terminate a brand new pregnancy. The Supreme Court decision will not remove that right.

Many pregnancies do not go to full term. Many miscarriages happen in the first trimester because God designed our bodies to make it's own decision concerning the viability of the fetus. However, there comes a point in a pregnancy when the unborn has established it's own claim to life.

There is too great of a difference to ignore between this:

AND THIS!

Tearing an unborn baby, especially at 5-9 months out of the womb is barbaric. You could not watch that procedure without drawing the conclusion that you are witnessing a homicide, not a "choice."

I support a woman's right to choose not to have a baby. Of course that is her right!!  Every woman HAS that right and they will have that right even AFTER the Supreme Court allows states to put greater restrictions on abortion, should that be the outcome!  

As a matter of fact, greater restrictions will not result in women giving up the "choice" not to have a baby!  It is virtually certain that the medical and pharmaceutical industry will develop new and other better choices for preventing, detecting and ending an unwanted pregnancy atbthe very start if she must. 

Furthermore, greater protections of unborn viable babies will result it more choices and better choices for women, as well as men.  Those choices will result in the following:

- more thoughtful decisions about practicing unsafe sex, by both women and men

- fewer sexually transmitted diseases 

- fewer unwanted pregnancies

- less women struggling with the emotional pain and turmoil over the decision to abort or carry their unborn baby

- fewer woman suffering the trauma and haunting feelings produced by an abortion 

- more families receiving a baby through adoption

In the final analysis, I believe greater restrictions on abortion will prove to be better for women, both mothers and the millions of female babies who will not be robbed of life by the choice to kill them while they were in the womb. 

The womb is a sacred place.  A womb is quite literally the embodiment of compassion. It's only purpose is to nurture and protect life. To commit a homicide in the womb, such as abortion, is a desecration. 

Related post - We Are Unworthy

STAY CONNECTED

In this crazy and chaotic world, I believe that one of the most effective ways to feel more "grounded" to something meaningful is to stay connected to the Hebrew Calendar. 

One of the cool things about Judaism is that life is lived celebrating events and remembering times in the Bible and the history of God's chosen people. 

Being "chosen" doesn't mean than the Jewish people get it easy. To the contrary, as history proves. But the Jews are to be a light to the nations.  So watch! 

The year is filled with holidays and anniversaries. Hanukkah is an example.

Jews are moon gazers. We look to the heavens to know if it’s a new month and even a new year. We start many of our major holidays when the moon is full and bursting with light – like the spring festival of Passover and the fall harvest festival of Sukkot. 

Here are things I like to do:

- Know the Hebrew date.  Know the month I'm in and what biblical and historical associations there are. Chabad offers a lovely printed calendar. It is easy to Google too.  

- Recognize Rosh Chodesh (Hebrew for “head of the month”).  Each month we celebrate the arrival of the new moon, marking the start of a new month in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated for two days – the last day of the prior month and the first day of the new month.

"And G‑d said to Moses… in the land of Egypt… This month is for you, the head of the months. First it is for you among the months of the year."  Exodus 12:1-2

- Learn about the events in the Bible in real-time.  In other words, as dates with biblical significance come up, take the time to explore what they are about. I like to write on the subject because writing is a great way to deepen and organize my thoughts. 

- Israel has been called God's timepiece. Pay attention to what is happening in Israel with historical connections to the bible. This article about a "sling stone" is a good example. 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/sling-stone-from-hasmonean-period-found-in-southern-hebron-hills/

- Follow/study Torah - The Torah is called the "tree of life." It is the ultimate connection to something meaningful. 

Today is 25th of Kislev 5782 - the first day of Hanukkah. Rosh Chodesh Tevet* is this Sunday, December 5, 2021. 

* Notable events in the month of Tevet: 

There are several very significant events in Jewish history that took place in the month of Tevet. One of the most tragic historical events is Asarah (10th) of Tevet which marks the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzer II of Babylon. That ultimately culminated in the destruction of Solomon's Temple, the downfall of the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian exile of the Jews.

This is also a month that Jews were expelled from Vienna Austria and Portugal.  

On a happier note the 10th of Tevet is when Esther appears before King Achashverosh for the first time and is chosen to be His queen. This set the stage for Purim and Haman's demise.

There is also the the 25th of Tevet. Some say it is the 2nd Hanukkah - or the Hanukkah that could have been. It marks when the Jewish high priest came out of the temple in temple robes wearing the sacred jeweled "breastplate of judgment." 

The high priest and his accompaniment walked through the night with torches burning over to met Alexander the Great. Alexander came down from his chariot and bowed down to the high priest even after the Samaritans said the Jews intended to betray him. The reason why King Alexander bowed down and what happened after is a fascinating story.