Selma

"The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last Saturday, thanks to my mom, John and I were able to steal away for the afternoon to have lunch and catch a movie.  We debated back and forth on which movie to see...The Intimidation Game, Unbroken, but we finally landed on Selma.  We do not have cable TV in our home, so we had not seen any trailers for Selma.  But, after reading the description we knew we had to see it.

And I'm so glad we did.

First, a brief re-cap of the movie via IMDb:

"The unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay's "Selma" tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020072/)

The movie also explores the tensions between Dr. King's group, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as well as tensions in Dr. King's marriage, which were egged on by the FBI.  While I was familiar with the SCLC and SNCC, I was unaware of the tensions between the two groups, at least in Selma.  Additionally, I knew very little about Dr. King and Coretta Scott King's marriage, let alone the interference from the FBI.  To be fair, Dr. King was unfaithful, but the FBI added to the strains on their marriage in a variety of ways, aimed at creating additional turmoil in their home and sidetracking Dr. King.  Nothing short of tragic and, frankly, un-American.

It should be noted that there has been some debate regarding the portrayal of President Johnson in the movie, and one should be aware of that prior to viewing the movie, but that is for another conversation.

Although the movie is rated PG-13, I found the very realistic violence overwhelming at times.  John and I were both in tears at various points in the movie.  I just can't believe that these events happened, and just over 50 years ago.  It makes one think of all of the extreme evil that we don't see. 

With that being said, I left the movie feeling hopeful and admiring the bravery of people working towards what is right.  The battle may be long and arduous, but in the end good does prevail.  I love knowing that there are people in this world who feel so strongly about correcting injustice that they are willing to make great sacrifices.  How can you not be hopeful knowing that there are unyielding people on the side of righteousness? 

And while there are many more obstacles people of color (I would also add women and religious minorities) have to overcome, the sacrifices of those who came before us were not in vain. They accomplished much and created a foundation for future generations to build on.  They continue to be an example and source of strength for people in their time of struggle.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this movie since we viewed it. I find myself drawing parallels between recent events, including the Charlie Hedbo attacks in Paris coupled with the anti-Muslim and anti-religion backlash that has ensued across Europe.  I certainly do not condone the terrorist attacks in any way, but nor do I condone the French's attacks on religious individual's rights to be able to express their faith via religious clothing and symbols.

In short, get out and see this movie.  It is nothing short of moving and will hopefully continue to spur conversations regarding the protection of freedom and justice. 

Sacrifice

Sacrifice – to give up, to forgo, to forfeit, to surrender, to let go

Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the Lenten Season.  But, wait a minute here, Brooke!  You’re Mormon!  Mormons don’t observe Lent!

Yes, officially, that is true.  However, I’m not exactly sure why because the entire idea behind Lent, a season of sacrifice preparing us for Easter and the celebration of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, fits perfectly into our doctrine and teachings.  We fast from food for 24 hours once every month and use the money we would have spent on food to donate to the poor.  We fast from food when we are seeking answers to questions, when someone is sick or afflicted in some way, when we simply want to feel closer to Heavenly Father.  Fasting should always be coupled with prayer and meditation, giving one the opportunity to feel the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Okay, back to Lent.  John is the one who taught me about Lent.  Growing up Catholic, he’s observed it for as long as he can remember.  When he and I began to date again, I decided that I would join him in observing this season.  There are a couple of rules:

1.      You may not consume meat on Ash Wednesday or on Fridays.  From my understanding, this is supposed to be done in remembrance of times of famine.  It used to be that you abstained from meat for the whole 40 days, but that was later changed.

2.      You are supposed to sacrifice something in your life for 40 days.  John clarified this for me a few years ago that you may also add something good to your daily routine (in essence, sacrificing your time).

I know I’m missing details, but the point is to sacrifice something for the Lord since He has made the ultimate sacrifice for us.  I think it’s beautiful.  This year, John and I have committed to diligently reading our scriptures every day, without fail, in honor of Lent.  This is a goal of ours generally, but we typically fail.  Lent gives us the perfect opportunity and motivation to really stick with it.

This serendipitously coincided with my reading of a book for the book group I attend once a month.  This month’s book was No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around Our Gay Loved Ones by Carol Lynn Pearson.  Let me start off by saying that EVERYONE should read this book!  Ms. Pearson is Mormon, and the book primarily focuses on being homosexual in the Mormon culture, but it certainly applies to anyone of any faith who wants to understand more; who wants to empathize with something they don’t quite understand and in the process become a better Christian.

The books is a series of true stories, some tragic and some triumphant. The description found on the back of the book is as follows:

In No More Goodbyes, Pearson revisits the challenging subject of religious people relating to their gay loved ones who are often condemned by their church and – many believe – by God.  Through stories gathered from the microcosm of Mormonism, it becomes clear how this emotional earthquake affects families of all faiths

Being a Mormon and having a gay brother (and many other gay loved ones in my life) has been a confusing tightrope walk.  On one hand, I love my faith!  I choose this faith and I have never regretted that decision.  On the other hand, I love my brother more than words can express and watching him feel as if he is being torn in two is heartbreaking and crushing.  It took me some time to realize that I don’t have to choose between the two!  I can have dissenting feelings about some of the Church’s strategies and decisions, support my brother in his struggle to find and acquire the life that he feels is right for him and remain loyal to both!

I personally believe that there is no detriment to the traditional family or our society by allowing gay individuals to marry.  Denying marriage licenses is not going to keep gay couples from building lives together, forming families, and being a part of our communities.  Coming from a faith with a history of non-traditional marriages (i.e. polygamy), I feel Mormons should be most understanding of all. 

There is one thing that is completely clear to me, regardless of your feelings about this issue, regardless of your religious beliefs or sexual orientation: the anger and the bitterness has to stop (I say this to heterosexuals and LGBTQIA individuals alike)!  The alienation has to stop!  The taking of one’s life because they feel unworthy, and out of place or rejected HAS TO STOP!   Life is a precious gift given to us by our Heavenly Father and we need to band together to help everyone make the most of this gift.  And by doing so, we will make the most of our lives.  Love and making the effort to understand, even if you don’t ultimately agree, is always constructive.  This applies to religious people who disagree with those who act on their homosexual feelings and to those who do not agree with someone’s religious beliefs. 

I think this entire issue also assumes that LGBTQIA individuals are not and cannot be religious.  That they don’t love God and that they don’t want to follow a faith.  This is preposterous!  There are many faithful and religious people with different sexual orientations and I know for a fact that Heavenly Father loves them all unconditionally. 

I believe that people should have the right to choose the life they wish to lead; what they feel is right.  Many people disagree with the Mormon Church, but I believe that it is true and this is the right lifestyle for me.  I want others to be able to make this choice for themselves as well because I believe in free agency.  I believe every person should feel welcome in any faith tradition since, at the foundation of every tradition, is the Golden Rule.  That we should strive to love individuals because they are Children of God and, as such, are our brothers and sisters.

I join my plea with that of Ms. Pearson: no more sacrifice of families, of people and of life.  I am committed to this and I hope you will be too. 

On a lighter note, here are some pictures of L and S playing at the See Science Center in Manchester, NH!

Chef L (I know, my camera stinks)

Chef S