Celebration or Indifference?

Apologies to my man Gil, but the revolution is being televised, streamed live, tweeted, blogged, on demand, and readily available on my mobile.

What if we caught a true spirit and decided that it was time to build a monument; a structure; a place where all the people of the planet could come to experience stop-what-you’re-doing; spine-tingling; eye-wiping; kiss-your-neighbor happiness?  Would the monument look like a soccer stadium in South Africa?

I know I’m caught up. But, we’ve done it right. Teams standing side-by-side walked in by our boys and girls.  I was proud to stand with others when I watched players sing their anthems. The spirit of joy as the people in the stadium kept time for the game with their dancing feet, bouncing shoulders, songs, chants, and ever-present drumbeats (of hearts and skins).  They made music with their horns to let us know where we should be. (President O should have taken a moment to be there – I would have understood.)  Our tower to happiness in Rustenburg?

I know this is not perfect. It comes with a nagging of poverty, HIV, crime, social unrest, and racial disparities. But aren’t we all watching and hoping to be proud.  Is this Mandela’s dream? The world’s progress – even if imperfect and incomplete? When will the right time come to create a tribute to bliss?

Despite all, I feel at peace.

Are we witnessing a memento to a human movement and progress? The celebration and shrine to the fulfillment of promise? Or, a tombstone for our hubris and indifference?

Peace.

3 comments

  1. Great blog post.

    I feel it. There’s something very special about the World Cup…particularly the 2010 edition. Imagine, the entire world is watching, listening, or reading about one event. Maybe soccer is our common ground and the World Cup is that “meaningful shared experience” that Thurman was talking about. I hope old folks (like me) remind young people where South Africa was just a few decades ago. Seeing South Africa today should give hope to anyone fighting oppression or social injustice anywhere in the world. And, as you pointed out, while the world is hardly perfect, there is joy, hope, and celebration all around us.

    I love the fact that vuvuzelas are big news, there’s controversy around the Jubulani ball, players are human and making human errors, and folks all over town are coming together sporting colorful gear and supporting their nation. Just makes for great conversation. I wake up watching soccer regardless who’s playing and I’m still not sure if I’d be happier if the US (me), Italian (dad), Spanish (mom), or South African (just because) squad wins the tournament.

    I too would give Pres O a pass to be there. Let’s not let our politics interfere with this celebration (North Korea earned a spot in the tournament by playing soccer, not by playing nice with its neighbors). Could this be a time when world leaders can come together, set aside our differences, and perhaps depart as friends?

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