Destroying Statues and Erasing History

So, here we go again. Vandalizing and defacing statues. It’s happened before, only a few years back it seems, this obsession with purging our country of all things offensive. It used to be Confederate flags and statues. Now it seems to be much more widespread. Sadly, the standard has slipped considerably.

Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t there quite a difference between a Confederate general (or former slave owner) and someone like Abraham Lincoln? And what about the Wisconsin statue of abolitionist Hans Christian Heg that was recently toppled? Why are we tearing down statues of these guys? https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2020/06/24/hans-christian-hegs-abolitionist-statue-toppled-madison-what-know/3248692001/

But it’s more than just statues. Now we’re pulling movies and books and all sorts of “offensive” products. Where does it end? I don’t really have a problem with removing (legally, of course) truly offensive and hateful public monuments, but again, where does it end? Or to put it another way, at what point are we destroying not just statues, but our history itself?

Maybe we should take a step back and recognize that all human beings are flawed. Can we not recognize the achievements of important historical figures because we are blinded by the failures of their personal lives? And do we have to completely erase them from the history books just because they don’t fit in with our current social mores? And when we’ve finished wiping the pages of history, what exactly have we accomplished?

Consider the well known quote from poet and philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As individuals and a society (or country), we must learn from our past mistakes, not push them out of sight and pretend they never happened. And how are we supposed to learn when the information has been sanitized to avoid causing the slightest offense to any individual citizen on any given day?

Just my opinion, but when we get through removing everything – the heroes, the villains, and everyone in between, what do we do then? Wait a day and do it again? Read 1984 by George Orwell and see what society looks like when you decide to start changing history on a daily basis.

Here’s a poem I wrote a few years ago on the subject. You can find it (and a few more of my political thoughts) in “A Head Full of Random Thoughts.” www.books2read.com/randomthoughts

Civil Unrest

Tear down all the statues,

Rip away each hateful flag,

Take the Ten Commandments out,

Erase the past and start anew.

Throw out the constitution,

And of course, the Bible too,

Write a new, unfaithful tale

Out of the blue.

Is this what the world is coming to?

Lessons Learned From My Father

I wrote this several years ago and it seemed a good time to repost. I spent a lot of time this past weekend thinking about my Dad (as I'm sure many of you did as well). Here's to all those great fathers who made such lasting memories.

***

Cecil Wayne Perry was my father. He was not a famous man, but he was well-loved and well-remembered by all who knew him. He grew up on a farm in San Augustine, Texas. He once studied to be a minister. He served his country during World War II. He was a welder, then a roofer, and eventually formed his own roofing company that thrived in Waco for over three decades.

Along the way, he married and raised four sons and a daughter. Although it’s been more than twenty years since he passed, I think of him often and I have always credited him with shaping me into the man, and father I am today. Allow me to share a few of the lessons I learned from him.

Love your family and take care of them. I don’t recall ever seeing my parents have any serious arguments. I’m sure they had their share of disagreements, but they didn’t fight in front of the kids. At least not that I can remember. My father loved my mother. And he loved his children. And he worked hard all his life to provide for us the best he could.

Love God. By the time there were five kids in the family, my parents’ attendance at church had waned considerably. Still, they took us to Vacation Bible School and encouraged us to attend church as we got older. The first Bible I ever read was provided by my parents and I knew they were Christians. They attended Emmanuel Baptist Church and when I was seventeen years old that’s where I was baptized.

Take pride in your work. My father had a strong work ethic and he passed it along to his kids. We worked summers with him and we learned to do the work well and be proud of the job we had done. And when it was not done well? Tear it off and do it again. (Shingles, of course!) My father could point out to you every house he had ever worked on and he did so proudly, knowing that he had done his best on that job and every job he had completed.

Have fun and relax. My father loved to hunt and I although I never went, I loved to hear him tell the stories. When we were younger, he taught us to fish, to bowl, and to roller-skate. He knew how to let go of work and enjoy himself and he taught us to do the same. He also loved to read and he shared his collection of paperback westerns with his sons (as long as we were careful and put them back when we were finished).

Discipline and a sense of right and wrong. Growing up meant learning how to behave and when we didn’t, we were punished. No one enjoys getting disciplined, but I never doubted my father’s love and I always knew the correction was for my benefit. He was trying to teach us because he loved us and we loved him for caring enough to steer us in the right directions.

As a father myself, I’ve tried my best and hopefully, my kids will always know that I love them and I would do anything for them. And I hope I was as good a father to them as my father was to me. Love you, Dad! And Happy Father’s Day to all the men out there who have had the chance to experience the blessings of parenthood! It’s a tough job, but the rewards are priceless.

Return to Eastlake – Coming Soon!

I "finished" my novel Return to Eastlake in August of 2019. I keep asking myself why I haven't published it yet! It's a fair question and I suppose there is an obvious answer.

How to put it? Laziness? Procrastination? Perfectionism? Maybe all of the above? Almost ten months ago, I put aside the novel I am supposed to be writing, so that I could devote my time and energy toward editing, formatting, and publishing this one. So why haven't I finished yet?

Two problems.

First, editing (and revising) is hard! (And I hate it!) No matter how many times I read a section or chapter, I always manage to find something to "fix." Sometimes it is an actual typo or grammatical error and I am glad to have found and corrected it before seeing it in print. More often, I just keep finding different ways to say the same thing. Whether it is a word choice, a slightly different phrase or expression, an added or subtracted sentence, or a complete restructuring of a paragraph, I can't seem to stop tampering with the language.

The second problem is deciding when the book is actually finished. A sequel to my previous novel, the book is a collection of short stories connected by a common setting and a series of interrelated characters. After completing the book, I have written and added three additional stories! And I’m debating including one more! If I don't stop doing that, I will never finish!

Here's my thought. For the sake of accountability, I am setting a definite release date! I expect you to keep me honest. Especially those of you who read the first one and actually want to hear more about these characters. (And if you haven't read At the Drive-In, why haven't you?) So, here goes. By Thanksgiving, this book will be published! In the immortal words of Joe Namath, "I guarantee it!" 

Take Time to Learn

Last week, I encouraged everyone to pray. This week, allow me to suggest we should all seek to learn. As a former educator, I am a firm believer in overcoming ignorance through the pursuit of knowledge. And I believe that the first step in that pursuit is honestly acknowledging how much we don’t know. In these times when our passions are running so high, we especially need to take a deep breath and think before we speak or act.

In the past week or so, I have not watched the news much. Truthfully, it’s just painful. I’ve also spent much less time than usual on social media. Again, too painful. People are hurting and way too many are choosing to lash out at any and all who disagree with them and their opinions. Please don’t misunderstand me here. I’m not denying anyone the right to speak out. I’m only encouraging people to consider their words carefully and whenever possible be positive instead of negative. And check your facts.

On social media (particularly Twitter), I follow many people who see the world in a vastly different way than I do. I willingly admit that I am ignorant in regard to many things. My life experiences have shaped my views and I fully realize that many people have had a greatly different set of experiences of their own. And that’s fine! The world would be a very boring place indeed if everyone thought exactly as I do on every issue.

So, here’s my approach. I have rarely ever blocked anyone on social media for having a different opinion than myself. I have no problem letting those who disagree with me have their opportunity to change my mind. I enjoy a lively debate on any issue. As long as the person is willing to at least try to limit the profanity and the vulgarity, I’m perfectly okay with letting them rant. I may not read every word or follow every link they post, but I can actually consider the merits of things I don’t agree with and not be offended.

In the last week, I have read many articles and watched a number of videos, and frankly, I believe I have learned some things. I’ve read posts and articles by both Liberals and Conservatives of all races, ages, cultures, etc. and to the best of my ability, I have read and listened with an open mind. (I recommend you do the same.) Many of the things I've learned have pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to acknowledge some very ugly realities, but that’s okay. Education is a good thing. Knowledge is a good thing.

Here’s my encouragement for the week. Listen more than you speak. Be a little slower to react to things that upset you. Take the time to learn something new this week. And for God’s sake, be more positive than negative! Have a great week and let me know what you think.

Pray for America

I don’t have words. That’s odd for me as I tend to be fairly opinionated and vocal about most things. But today, I just don’t have the words to say how I feel. Or maybe, to be more precise, I just don’t know exactly how I feel about a lot of things.

I’m sad for our country. For all Americans. And I only know one solution.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

So, let’s pray for our country. Today and always.