A lot of eyes were on the events in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend. I watched and what I saw was a bunch of people yelling, and shouting and I still don't know what they were yelling and shouting about. So what did they accomplish. And after a while I stopped watching and didn't want to hear anything they had to say much less try and understand them.
Now I realize these people in Charlottesville don't want solutions. They just want to yell and scream just to be yelling an screaming. But for the few people who really are sincere about finding solutions to problems then maybe just maybe we should just take a deep breath and take a step back. The people in Charlottesville are the problem, they however do NOT figure in finding solution simply because they don't want a solution. If you find a solution they have nothing left other than to keep being the problem. So when I talk about reasonable people and reasonable solutions I am not talking about the people who were in Charlottesville this past weekend. They quiet simply are only interested in destroying this country and are not worth the time of day.
I, like a bunch of other folks, wondered why are we having all of these problems. And then for whatever reason a simple answer came to me. And I thought back to my teenage year growing up in rural Southwest Virginia, when I heard a voice. No there was not clap of thunder or a bolt of lighting. No it wasn't a voice from above. It was a voice speaking on the old black and white TV. I don't know what it was about this voice but it was captivating.
I stopped what I was doing, sat down and listened to one of the most eloquent speakers that I have ever heard. The voice was clear, calm and distinctive. Correctly pronouncing every syllable of every word. As I heard this voice, I felt that this person was speaking directly to me. And I continue to listen.
Keep in mind this was by in the early and mid-1970's. There were no VCR's, no cell phones and certainly no instant rewind on the DVR. But every time I heard this person speak, I stopped what I was doing and I listened.
Also keep in mind that in the 1970's our country was dealing with something called Watergate, and our President would eventually be force to resign. But through these different times I would continue to hear that voice. That calm, eloquent, voice who would talk to me and talk to our nation. And each time I would stop and would listen. And I would continue to listen, and soon I began to listen to not only to the voice but listen to the words and then I began to UNDERSTAND.
No yelling. No Screaming, No vulgar insults. Just a calm eloquent Voice and I heard, I listened, and I tried to UNDERSTOOD. I may not agreed with everything that was said but, I heard the voice, but more important, I listened to the words, and I began to UNDERSTAND.
So over the weekend, it dawned on me that if it worked back then, it could work today. Rather than yelling and screaming and shouting vulgar insult at anyone within ear shot. Calm down, understand yourself, talk TO people, don't yell AT people. And who knows before long some one may really hear you. If they hear you they may start listening TO you. If people listen, while they may not agree with you, they may attempt understand you. It they understand you they may just talk to you and before you know it you will be having a conversation.
People are never going to agree on everything, but a calm conversation can bring mutual understanding which may bring results. It you talk TO people, and not yell AT people, someone may hear you, someone may listen to you and yes then someone may UNDERSTAND You.
What went on in Charlottesville this past weekend accomplished nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just a
Yes, I think back to that voice, that wonderful calm, eloquent voice of the 1970's and how I not only l heard but I listened, and most of all I tried to Understood.
The voice that had such a impact on not only a young teen but also of a troubled nation was the voice of a congresswoman from Texas by the name of Barbara Jordan. And as Paul Harvey would say....Now you know the rest of the story.
But the story doesn't end there. This past March I spent the better part of a month touring around the State Of Texas. One of my stops was at the State Cemetery of Texas in Austin. There in the shadow of the Stephen F. Austin Monument, I stumbled upon the grave of Barbara Jordan. That eloquent voice of wisdom and calm from the troubled times of the 70's. What an honor it was to stand silently and pay my respects to this eloquent and graceful lady who meant so much to so many.
I invite you to listen to and hear the words of one of the most eloquent speakers that I have ever heard as she addressed the 1976 Democratic National Convention as its keynote speaker.
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