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Mon 01/14/2008
No Exceptions
Topic: Making Decisions
In keeping with what I've recently written about oppression and the Jewish community comes a strong reminder from Malcolm X: "Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it." No exemptions. In the days to come, I'll be going deeper into this line of thought. Taking off with a man we've all been taught to adore. A man who appears to have fully embraced the concept of freedom from oppression. In this examination, George Washington will teach us lessons that our history books never did. Showing how one's choices can continue to reverberate long after death. Demonstrating how these results are multiplied with power, depending upon how the power is exercised. I think you'll be surprised. Some of the surprises may not be so welcome. Yet they may lead you to formulate some personal insights as revolutionary as the American Revolution itself.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 1:49 PM CST
Sun 01/13/2008
Poverty and weakness are not virtues. Courage is. Of the three, only courage allows us to find real power, the kind that moves mountains and transforms lives, starting with our own. For 2008, I’ve decided to set my goals less around projects to be accomplished and more around specific people with whom I want to connect. That’s a change for me, I confess. No doubt the projects will align themselves around the people. There will definitely be some goals that will be project-oriented, like getting closets built in rooms where there never have been closets, in our house that will soon have it’s 100th birthday. My tendency is to put off making connections with people until I get my projects in order. Perhaps I will make some progress in reversing that mode of operation this year. I hope so.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Fri 01/11/2008
Self-Appointed Judges of the Infidels
Topic: Power
Jews are, first and foremost, a political entity. They are a convenient target. Just as “the weaker sex” and children are convenient targets of violence. Things get much more complicated when theological “reasons” are given to justify violence against a weaker group, especially when the aggressor considers it’s enemies to be much more than the ones they can so easily scapegoat. I see such a strong parallel here to the fundamentalist Arabs who see themselves as people appointed by God to fight “the infidels.” A strong parallel, that is, with the ideological aggression that is coming from fundamentalist Christianity that sees the majority of the world as “infidels.” Both are deeply offensive and hold rigid beliefs. Beliefs that, ironically, are steeped in theologies that codify oppression--gender oppression, racial oppression, and often exhibit these in a frightening nationalism that seems blind to larger truths and scientific or educational processes that show respect for “the infidels.”
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Thu 01/10/2008
Enlarging our Understanding about Sins of Power Abuse
Topic: Power
Power, in itself, is not evil. It is the misuse of power that is. Individuals and institutions alike have power failure when that power is either abused or ignored. The former is a sin of commission. The latter a sin of omission. When we run ourselves down or too easily accept that there is nothing we can do, that is as much power failure as the abuse of power.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Wed 01/09/2008
Some Subtle Realities of Powerlessness
Topic: Power
Wisse says that there is a danger in accepting one’s state of powerlessness, as much as in resisting an oppressive power. I would add that this is especially true if we see the powerlessness as permanent or inevitable when it is not. All of these are forms of denial, just as much as denying trauma. While resisting or protesting can have dire consequences that are obvious, withdrawing from the struggle and simply accepting “fate,” believing that there are no choices and underestimating one’s individual power, can also be self-destructive. Adaptation, in itself, is a means of survival. Yet, ideally, it should not be a permanent way of life.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Tue 01/08/2008
Romanticizing the Past May Lead to Power Outages
Topic: Power
Survivors often blend in and adapt, on the surface appearing not to be phased by the past. Nor to be phased by the present stigmatization. Like Jews, it’s possible to even romanticize the state of powerlessness. While it’s okay to realize that life has been impacted and changed, sometimes even for the better, because of having faced the past, it is not okay to ignore the difficulty one has faced in getting there. To ignore or minimize the challenges is to put oneself at danger of not recognizing present threats to living life to its fullest. The result can be a lot of new power outages because we fail to see the "faulty wiring" in our daily lives.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Mon 01/07/2008
The Challenges of Living as "God's Chosen"
Topic: Power
Jews have, through the centuries, been forced to adapt in places where they were rendered powerless. They did it by striking bargains with powerful leaders in order to maintain their way of life. Sort of a state of hibernation. Laying low and finding ways to keep their culture alive. This strategy made them often appear to be doing great, even as they lived under the thumb of oppression. On the other hand, at times Jews have become the oppressors. Zionists certainly would not see it that way; but the news bears out the many times when blatant aggression, especially in recent decades, has occurred. Jews and Arabs aren’t different from the rest of humanity. All of us have a tendency to be very egocentric. We selectively focus on what’s in our best interest and are prone to ignore others’ needs. Rationalizing how we’ve been ignored by others or neglected. What’s powerfully obvious, however, as we examine the history in the Middle East, is that both groups evoke their perception of being uniquely blessed by God and abused by their enemies. How does one argue with people who are so sure that they are selected as God’s most highly chosen? The power is one that is self-proclaimed, and the belief systems of both are amazingly contagious and intergenerational. As well as dangerous. You may be asking what this has to do with survivors of sexual and domestic violence, especially in regard to collusion within the faith community. A lot! Please join me in thinking on these things.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 8:56 AM CST
Updated: Mon 01/07/2008 9:29 AM CST
Fri 01/04/2008
Powerlessness and Accomodation
Topic: Power
According to Ruth Wiise, author of Jews and Power, people who are powerless often are forced to accomodate in order to survive. Accomodation is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a means of mere survival. If this goes on for many years, the powerless may rise up through unified efforts. Rise up to do great things. Or.... The down side is the potential for corruption. The powerless can follow in the footsteps of the corrupted people in power who have rendered the oppressed powerless. That's when "an eye for an eye" becomes the rule, setting up endless aggression and counter-aggression. This is what appalled Jesus. This is exactly what has occurred as a result of colonialism throughout our world. It's also what happens with religious oppression, such as we are seeing in the Middle East with Islamic extremists and Israeli counter-attacks. Powerless people have choices, but not as many choices as the powerful. Making the right choices or the ethical choices that can result in widespread good for all is much more challenging for the powerless. For resources are much more scarce, and the powerless have so little to lose. On the one hand, they may cling in desperation to what little is there. Or decide it is so little that they are willing to risk their lives for the cause. If they see the cause as something truly "of God," then even life can become of little value. Choices can become a burden. Making good choices seems almost impossible in some cases. Such has been the case with the Jews on frequent occasion. The problem is that many staunch Christians, as well as Jews, see the "Jewish nation" as "God's chosen people." Just as Islamic fundamentalists see themselves. As long as someone claims to be one of "God's chosen" while others are infidels, there is no hope for peace. Nor is there any hope to really find God sanctioning either side. Both sides are using this perceived blessing of "God" in a narcissistic game that has been around for centuries. That's what horrified Jesus, but few people got the message then and few get it today. Having just attended a series of lectures on the Middle East conflicts, I have become especially interested in this subject of power and powerlessness as it applies to victims of terrorism and oppressive regimes. Or victims of abuse and collusion from people who use abusive theology to inflict emotional and spiritual terrorism on victims of sexual and domestic violence. Or, strange as it may seem, victims who sometimes do the same. I see it as all connected and want to share much more about this, starting next week.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 10:07 PM CST
Updated: Mon 01/07/2008 8:54 AM CST
Thu 01/03/2008
Straight from the Iowa Caucus
Topic: Making Changes
I don't intend to talk too much politics in this blog, but today is an exception. Just returned a few hours ago, from a wonderful holiday, just in time to attend the Iowa Caucuses. Oh, what an experience! You've heard a lot about us lately, here in all of this. What I will never forget is being a part of a group crowded together in a school gymnasium that was filled with twice as many caucus-goers as we had four years ago in this same community. Despite differences in candidate preferences, I've never seen so much unity! Young and old alike, all insisting that we have to have change and to unite for change. I'll leave it there. You can fill in the blanks that I've purposely left in my thinking process. Just suffice it to say that I was very happy with the outcome, as well as the process. It reminded me of a comment made to me by a stranger, in regard to denominational choices. He stated, halfway as a question and half as a statement, that it was really about politics. I chose to respond with less than 100% agreement. "Some, yes," I said. "It's also about theology, to me more about theology." To which the speaker's wife said, with great respect and a bit of wonder in her voice: "I think it must be wonderful to know enough about theology to be able to see that it DOES make a difference." So, let me assure you, issues in politics and theology, despite politics, DO matter--both of them. As world cititzens, we need to know that theology is very much related to theology--when it comes to terrorism, abuse, and many other issues. People actually formulate their understanding of all issues of oppression within the context of theology, whether this is acknowledged or not. If we are going to take a stand on either national or international issues, it is imperative that we integrate our opinions with our theology. Not our religion, but our theology. Only then, can we have a far-reaching influence and a solid character, personally and collectively. Never forget that what you believe does make a difference. It's a myth to believe otherwise.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 10:02 PM CST
Thu 12/27/2007
Music for the New Year
Topic: music
Thanks to my precious virtual assistant Renae and my good friends Dave and Bette Rod, music--lots of music--is now available in several places on my site. Including at the top of www.takecourage.org/AboutSite.htm In addition to the Rally Song, you’ll find much more on Bette’s CD if you check out the links from the Rally Song. You may want to purchase Bette’s CD. It has been a huge blessing to me in my work and personal life, as well as to many I know. For the next few days, as I take a break, may I suggest that you take one of Bette's songs each day as you prepare for a new year. I'll catch you again on January 3. May you continue to have meaningful holidays.
Posted by Dee Ann Miller
at 12:01 AM CST
Updated: Thu 12/13/2007 2:39 PM CST
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