Woke Me When It’s Over

For the last several years, America’s been sliding down the slippery slope of purging and purifying different aspects of our culture. Along with it, we have our own special brand of judgmentalism. The story goes something like this: In the early part of the 17th century, England was hostile to a more reformed Protestant religious group, the Puritans. Later, as we all know, they were exiled from their country for their religious beliefs. Even so, as an industrious people, they prospered in Massachusetts.

When they left their homeland, though, they apparently left behind memories of the indignities they endured. I mention this because those who followed in the years to come had their own religious practices formally questioned. Ironically, if they were not in line with their own ideas, they were turned away. Quakers, too, met a similar fate. So much for religious tolerance, from a group that longed for it themselves in their fatherland. At our inception then, there are both intolerant and self-righteous genes in our nation’s DNA. Sadly, the legacy lingers on to this day. Are you woke? Not woke enough?

I write about this topic, because as a gay man, I’m sensitive to being harshly judged and written off for what I am. I think it’s important for my brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community to be tuned in to this issue as well. Happily, many who once saw us collectively as outsiders and wanting, now see us as simply a part of a much broader spectrum of human experience. At the same time, we know that there are many people who are deserving of reprimands and greater consequences, too. In the end, though, aren’t these same people with questionable behavior and moral failings deserving of some form of forgiveness or redemption? Some more than others without a doubt. But it appears that there is no middle ground. Many suffer complete banishment. They’re damaged goods forever. Where’s the love in that? Where’s the moral correctness?

Let’s face it, we are a broken people living in a broken world. Even the best of us human beings are destined to mess up. Think about this: many saints who are worshipped today were sinners themselves at one time. So, what is fair, just and right? Who’s to judge? There are few paragons of virtue among us who can point their moralistic fingers without indicting themselves, in some way, at the same time.

It’s time to get woke to the current state of affairs. In all respects.