The paint jobs, for the most part, were fresh, which was a sign that only recently these houses were renovated  to make the appearance slightly better. The roofs, for the most part, had also been redone within the last five years. These houses, this neighborhood, was lower middle class I would say compared to the things I’ve seen. In fact, I was a little skeptical when I found out we were planning on walking through one of the “most dangerous cities in Atlanta.” If it were that dangerous, we wouldn’t be  walking through. Let’s get on Marta to Bankhead, then we’ll talk. Or, better yet, let’s go back  to the real slums, also known as eastside Savannah. Let’s take a walk down memory lane, of my childhood, I’ll be the guide. Just don’t walk to far ahead, you’re bound to get jumped alone.

Okay, it might be bad, but the first thing I think of when I hear the word refugee is the song “Refugee” by Tom Petty. Of course the catchy “You don’t have to live like a refugee” comes to mind with it( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFnOfpIJL0M …this is a link to Refugee.) But then I think, what it means to “live like a refugee?” continuing with the song, one might conclude that it is indeed a difficult way to live life, seeing that Mr. Petty says (I wonder if he prefers Tom of Mr. petty when he is being referred to in a scholarly manner?) “Somewhere somehow somebody must have kicked you around some. Who knows why you want to lay there and revel in your abandon?” this line summarizes how a refuge is treated as well as how they are perceived. Did Mr. Petty intend this? To be quite honest I cannot say in the least. None the less I feel that his song is a tell tale sign of the true perception of a “refugee” and all the connotations that go along with that word. Below are the lyrics to the song.

Pop culture’s influence upon people is undeniable. as you can see from the majority of my reflections, I make pop culture links, sometimes they are a bit of a stretch but I do believe they are there and heavily influence people’s opinions and perceptions. I feel that it is important to separate yourself from the pop culture influences while still being aware of them and keeping them in mind. Is it right that when you type in “refugee” in Google. The first option that comes up is “refugee lyrics” followed later by family services etcetera. This is the way the country and our mind, and in particular, my mind works, and it’s worth changing.

We got somethin’, we both know it, we don’t talk too much about it
Ain’t no real big secret, all the same, somehow we get around it
Listen, it don’t really matter to me baby
You believe what you want to believe, you see 

You don’t have to live like a refugee 
(Don’t have to live like a refugee)

Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some
Tell me why you will lay there, revel in your abandon
Honey, it don’t make no difference to me baby
Everybody has to fight to be free, you see 

(Chorus)
You don’t have to live like a refugee 
(Don’t have to live like a refugee)
No baby you don’t have to live like a refugee 
(Dont have to live like a refugee)

Baby we ain’t the first 
I’m sure a lot of other lovers been burned
Right now it seems real to you, but it’s
One of those things you got to feel to be true

Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some
Who knows maybe you were kidnapped tied up,
Taken away and held for ransom
Honey, it don’t really matter to me baby
Everybody has to fight to be free, you see

            Today we each read a passage from the Bible and discussed its meanings and relevance. Just before class Deanna and I had been looking up verses for the round table later this evening and I actually had already looked up the verse I was to discuss before class and before I knew that I would be assigned to discuss it.

This little event brought me back to predestination. Although it is something that bothers some people, I find it to be most comforting. The thought that God knew that I would need to discuss that verse in class and allowed me to look up that very verse before class is moving beyond words. He knew that I would be writing this late and gave me a memory that I can vividly recall, and He knew that I would remember it now, a month later, and thank Him. How awesome!

The thought of predestination is understandingly bothersome to some who cannot understand predestination in conjunction with free will. I do not claim to fully understand it myself but I do understand it in a sense. I have always thought that God caring enough for me to plan each everything I do, from the big moments in my life, like my first steps or when I was saved or what college I am going to, to the little things like what I ate today and how many breaths I took or the fact that I attempted in vain to curl my hair this morning [L], was truly moving. He does more than a mere writer of a novel, who develops characters. He creates entirely new, entirely unique people with separate plans and lives that all mingle together in the great web of his plan and glory. I am always glad to be reminded of this, of how caring God must be to plan all the little things in life. I am even glad that I procrastinated and did not write this reflection until now, as it gives me the opportunity to revisit the wonder that is God.

            As we role played in class, I could not help but to think of musical chairs. but, there is a problem, musical chairs portrays people changing roles and exchanging seats, some people being kicked out if they do not move quickly enough. This, however, is not at all the way the economy or social standings play out in the real world. Rather than a world of musical chairs, we live in one of specially selected chairs with place cards, and with the “important” guests up at the front or near the center of the room, while those you don’t know what to do with are stuck in the back near the kitchen or restrooms.

This is certainly the only way to effectively run a large dinner party, but should not be a way of life for the average American. It is through hard work that one is able to attain a chair in musical chairs; one must be quick and pay attentions to their surroundings. This is not at all what is required of a dinner party with place cards. One may show up late or be rude. All the person has to do is be friends or relatives of the right people. This is something we associate with the “Old World” and indeed embodies none of the “New World” ideas we as Americans hold so dear.

Professor Pippin       

December 7, 2009

Final Reflection

How My Mind Has Changed or Stayed the Same:

My Final Reflecion

While reflecting back upon my semester in The Bible and Human Rights in Atlanta, I realize that I have not changed so much as I have grown, developed, and opened my mind and heart. When one says that they have “changed”, it implies that there has been a complete turnaround; that one’s former ideals are no longer present and have been replaced with new ones. This has not happened with me. I have learned new things and had new experiences, but my basic ideals and beliefs are very much intact. A river that changes courses is the same river; it just is growing and expanding, opening to new paths, and perhaps damming up old ones. I am this river. I am opening new paths.

We will begin with the main body of the river. These are made up of my religious and theological beliefs.  My theological beliefs are possibly the most unchanged, and have in fact been strengthened. My conception of God has also remained consistent. I believe that He perhaps is not a specific gender; however, he is most compared to and symbolized as a male, and acts as such throughout the Bible. Specific examples do come to mind. One of these is the fact that He chose a woman with which to have a child. This would defiantly lead one to believe that He was a male. He also made Adam in his image. Although a story about Adam’s “first wife” was presented in the class, I find no scriptural support for such a story and thus do not base my opinion on it. Because He made Adam, who is a male, in His image I am logically led to believe He is also male. Another verse to support this is, “For man should not have his head covered, since he is made in the image of God. But woman is the glory of man” (1 Corinthians 11:7.) Although humans and God are decidedly different, as described in the passage “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds” (Isaiah 55:8.) The father images in the Bible also serve to imply that he is indeed a male. There are too many of these examples to be listed; however one such example is “With it we bless the Lord and Father…” (John 3:9.) As is clearly evidenced, God is pictured as a male figure. My opinions about such have not been altered.

Another perception of God presented in the class is that of Him as an oppressor. I do not see this at all. Just as a parent must punish their child for wrong-doing, so must God punish His “children” as well as all of His creation. This is not God acting as an oppressor, but rather as a caregiver. This role is integral to the image of the family throughout the Bible. Another example of this lack of oppression is the presence of evil in the world. God did not want evil in the world, but it was in the hearts of mankind. Thus He allows it to exist because He wants to maintain mankind’s free will. The ultimate manner in which He does not embody an oppressor is the sacrifice of His son. He does not force man to follow Him; rather, He presents the option and leaves each individual to choose on their own. Through doing so, He is acting as a nonforcable liberator.

Another way in which the river of my mind has maintained its original course is how one should treat a person in different circumstances than themselves. I have always felt that all people are equal and that one should love everyone. Although this course has reinforced my previous ideas, they have not been altered. I have, however, been introduced to new way in which to help and care for others. I had not been introduced to the issues refugees have in America and across the world until I entered this course. My heart has been made truly open to their problems and I feel that I should help them. Another way in which I find myself able to help is with the homeless. I have always donated time and finances, and personal belongings to clothes closets and food pantries; however, I have not become personally acquainted with homeless people. There was always a certain distance that I have kept, perhaps unconsciously. Due to my work with Hagar’s House as well as my general information presented in the class, I have felt a calling of sorts. I so much enjoyed working with the children and talking with the adults. I actually found out that I have a lot in common with them. My experiences also reinforced my calling to work with inner city and under privileged students.

My perception of the prison system has also, for the most part, stayed the same. Although it is not what it should be, I feel that it is trying its best. There are issues in the system that needs work; however, I do not feel that it is a failure. I do think that it is trying rehabilitating the prisoners. A way in which this is exemplified is the work programs they provide. Prisoners work towards a diploma from Georgia Middle College is specialized careers. These diplomas do not mention prisons and are wonderful opportunities to the inmates. Because I have grown up in a community with a prison, my opinions on such institutions might be tainted and are most likely very different from the majority of people. I do, however, have trouble with prisons that are run as businesses and not owned by the government. I feel that these cannot be as focused on rehabilitation as there are great personal gains presented to the owners.

Although many of my opinions have stayed the same, some have changed, or rather; I have been introduced to ideas I had not really considered before. These are the tributaries of my river, that bravely cut new courses into the landscape of myself. One of the main issues that I had not considered in detail previous to this class was that of the death penalty. I had not formed an opinion on the matter at all. When presented with all the information, I found myself deeply reflecting upon my personal beliefs on the matter. I did research outside of class, discussed it with my family and friends, and did a lot of self reflection. I came to the conclusion that I do not support the death penalty. I honestly do not see how it can solve any issues. I also think that it can breed vindictive and bitter attitudes. Another death cannot lead to healing, and simply places blood upon another’s hands and conscience. Although I have not been through any personal experiences involving the carrying out of the death penalty, I do think that I would not want it to be enforced if a member of my family or I was a victim of a heinous crime. I believe that this would be showing Christian mercy, and would serve as an example of the undeserved grace that the Holy Trinity shows mankind.

So, my mind has changed and stayed the same. It seems that I am a part of that gray area of humanity, that part that cannot be defined. Every day I am changing, transforming, and evolving into the person I will be tomorrow, next week, and at our fifty year reunion. With each new experience I am vitally changed. With each new though I am introduced to, I have new thoughts and opinions of my own. Just as this reflection has developed from a simple analysis of me to a deeper contemplation, so have I deepened over both the course of this class and the course of my life. I am new and old, the same and radically changed. I am gray, an embodiment of both black and white, a mixture that continues to change in shades and depths, sometimes lighter, sometimes darker, and sometimes so in the middle one cannot choose what it is more like. This class is not only about human rights in Atlanta, but also about the humanity inside of me, fundamentally a part of who I am and will be.

 To be consistent with my other reflections I will make a seemingly random pop culture reference. Pocahontas says “He wants me to be steady, like the river, but it’s not steady at all.” I also, like the rest of humanity, am not steady. Like the rivers and oceans I move like the tide. I swell and wave, ebb and flow. I also am looking “Just around the river bend.” The question now comes, “should I choose the smoother course, steady as the beating drum?” I believe no. The gray area is not a smoother course, but rather, for me at least, is a path that takes courage. It is the courage to be who I am, and accept that portion of myself. Perhaps that is what this course has most done. It has shown me where the paths of hatred and love bring us, humanity. This is the path I choose, that of love, forgiveness, “courage, and understanding.”

I have so enjoyed this class. It has brought me closer to God as well as to many of the girls on my hall. I love them all so much and treasure our relationships and the time I have spent with each of them. They all have a special place in my heart. Through my interactions with them I have learned how to effectively communicate with others. They have always been open to me and the others in the class and each exemplify qualities I admire and wish I could embody. I thank each of the members of the class deeply.

I also appreciate Professor Pippin’s passion for what she teaches. She is one who truly practices what they preach and I not only admire, but also respect these qualities. She has brought so much joy to so many people’s lives. This class has been a great introduction to Agnes Scott, as well as to the academic study of the Bible. This is hugely due to her efforts. She does more than teach us. She models her ideals and puts us in situations where we are forced to model our own. This class is not so much a “class” as it is an experience, an eye opening and heartwarming experience I will never forget.

I leave with an open heart and open arms, welcoming each of my new friends into them. “The arrow that guides me” points to them, and to humanity, to new experiences, as well as to holding on to the ideals that form who I am. I thank all of you.

For any of you who are asking this question, yes, I do love Pocahontas that much!