Two rocks were sitting close to a beach. One rock turned and said to the other, “Why are you sitting here? This place is no good. Look how close the water is.”
The other rock replied, “This is where I have always sat. This is where the other rocks I have known have sat. Rocks will sit here after me.”
The first rock chuckled and said, “That’s silly. Why don’t you go somewhere else? That would make more sense.”
As the rocks were speaking, the tide began to come in and sweep away the sand around them.
“I don’t know why you still sit here,” said the first rock. “You’re foolish.”
Just then, the sand gave way and the first rock began to drift toward the ocean. Before it submerged, it looked back to see the second rock. The second rock was still in the same place, but it stood tall atop a tower of stones revealed by the receding sand. They were the rocks who had come before and built a foundation on the perilous ground, giving the rocks above a reason to persevere. The tower withstood the tide, and when the sands returned, the rock remained in its home.
This is my wish for the people of New Orleans as they battle to withstand the dark wake of Hurricane Katrina. Although vanished into destruction, the city and its land is still theirs — and always will be theirs. I wonder if the rest of us can comprehend the magnitude of what has happened, if we can step outside of the sand and look beneath our feet?
I’ve heard some sympathy from those around me. “What a tragedy,” we say, and then complacently complain about the cost of gasoline with which we feed our Jeep Grand Cherokees so we can drive one mile to the new Starbucks.
We whine as our brother and sister Americans moan over the bodies of their loved ones in debris-ridden streets. Their lives have been ransacked. Their Jeeps and their Starbucks have been crushed into worthlessness. Their homes have been destroyed.
I wish that I could throw away Muncie for a week and go to New Orleans. I wish I could feel the searing humanity and place my hands on those whose suffering is too great to bear. I wish my muscles would ache and my knees would buckle under the weight of carrying boxes of food for Katrina’s victims. I confess that I do not have enough bravery to forsake my job and my classes and abandon my obligations to spend a few days in New Orleans. Fine, call me a reprehensible hypocrite, but perhaps there is someone among my readers who does possess this courage.
A few students have taken action; I’ve heard of a couple who have given of their time to make the journey down south, and of one who manned a donation table in the Atrium.
My hat is off to these unselfish souls. I know that banding together for the human community is infinitely more important than anything that could be learned in two hours of Economics 101 and that reaching out to those in need is infinitely more important than someone’s party on Friday or lunch tomorrow with that hottie from class.
Most people can see this. But who among you will act in the name of love? Is there someone?
Write to Marie at
mmzatezalo@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
