I can honestly say that this is the LAST place I ever would have expected to find myself tonight (or any night, really). But, it was dark by the time I finished teaching so a beach walk wasn’t possible and I *really* needed to protect my peace before working the polls all day tomorrow.
As I sat there in complete silence, insulated from the world around me, I couldn’t help but think:
How different all the stained glass would look if it only consisted of one color. How different liturgical music would sound if people only sang one note. How unremarkable the bible would be if it was shrunk down to a short essay and a single scripture.
The stained glass is as beautiful as it is because all the colors come together to create one spectacular, kaleidoscopic whole. The church choir and organist make you feel something deep in your soul because there are crescendos and decrescendos, solos and choruses.
The word bible comes from the Latin and Greek words for “book” (biblia, biblos) and it is quite literally a book of books. Imagine if you took away 65 of the 66 books? It certainly wouldn’t garner the same reverence, would it?
Homogenized is only good for milk. Diversity is what makes our lives richer. And, just like I wouldn’t be interested in listening to one note music or looking at monochromatic stained glass or reading a one-book bible (or a one chapter thriller because that’s more my speed), I am not interested in being represented by a homogenous government. Homogenous governments are literally incapable of representing ALL of its citizens. Heterosexual cis-white male elected officials (largely from the same religion) cannot adequately and effectively make decisions in the best interests of women and girls, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, or anyone else who lives, loves, and worships differently than them.
I will be going to bed tonight knowing that I did everything in my power to fight for the spectacular, kaleidoscopic whole this election season, both literally and metaphorically. I voted for and donated to people who would build a bigger, more inclusive table. And love; I definitely voted for love. It’s been a loooonnnng four years! When all the votes are counted, may love win. 