VoGE and Carla Thomas at the Overton Park Shell

Some things you can’t ignore

I don’t usually respond to hateful words, but I found a bigoted rant in my email that was so blunt and venomous that I decided to dissect the message in order to see what made the writer tick.

I found no surprises. The ravings of the author (printed in red, below) represent typical examples of the same type of prejudice that I grew up with in the south. That’s when I decided to respond to their message point by point, if only to settle the faint ghostly echoes from a southern past hiding away in my own subconscious.

I apologize in advance if I am too long winded in my responses, but truth needs a strong foundation if it is to have any lasting impact. That said, let us begin.

The rant starts off with the statement:
> I AM WHITE!

Well, I am not and, most likely, neither is the author. As Americans, most “whites” are a mixture of races that have been going to bed together for over 500 years, and that’s not counting all the European hanky-panky that went on before that.

> I have been wondering about why Whites are racists,
> and no other race is.

That’s not a true statement. Racial intolerance is at the root of many of the world’s biggest problems and its standard bearers come from many cultures and races. The key is that they are all TAUGHT to hate by their elders. Cultures, like children, learn by example.

> There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian
> Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are
> just Ameri- cans.

Actually, your parents and/or grandparents probably affiliated strongly with their country of origin, even if you don’t. They most likely lived in a part of town where others of their culture also resided, especially if they were immigrants.

The fact that you are rootless and a generation removed from any knowledge of your own traditions does not put you in a superior position. It just makes you ignorant.

I had a conversation with an old and dear friend the other day. His heart was troubled by the world he saw around him. His faith gave him a type of strength, but it also robbed him of hope. He had been sold “Heaven in the sky” and was convinced that everything about this world was evil and corrupt.

My heart ached for him as I realized how little he knew of Grandmother Earth and Her wonders.

A family man, honest and caring about others, he was haunted by the terrible visions that filled his eyes and his TV set… The cruel deeds of his fellow men… The harsh realities of a world unbalanced. As his words unfolded I saw creases of pain that had been etched into his heart by negative experiences.

I shared his concerns, but not his anxiety and depression, for in my view, this is supposed to be a place of transition and change… An opportunity to grow as spiritual beings! It is only thru heat that steel can become tempered and strong. This world is a spiritual proving ground filled with the seeds of both Hell and Heaven. It is for each of us to decide which will flourish and grow in our own heart.

I tried to convey to my friend the wondrous visions Grandmother Earth bestows on those who will simply look… The nurturing of Spring babies, winged, furred, scaled, and naked… The gathering of the rainbow across the land as bare branches burst into celebration… The awesome spectacle of Sunrise, bringing with it another day full of possibilities yet undiscovered… But, his mind was closed to these wonders and they brought him little joy. Like a man riding backwards on a horse, he saw only the rutted, crapped-on path behind him.

He clung to his holy book like a shield against all pain. But in the process he also blocked out Creator’s healing Light!

I left my friend knowing that I had not reached him. His faint parting smile told me he thought me some opto-mystic fool with my head in the clouds. As I contemplated all we had shared with each other, a prayer for us both echoed through my spirit…

“Creator, open our hearts that we may feel… The possibilities in every moment… The miraculous in the commonplace. Creator, open our eyes that we may see… Beyond our pain… Beyond our perspective… Beyond the horizon. And let us always be open to the blessings you bestow upon us EVERY step of the way!”

AHO!

Hello family, friends, and neighbors…

It’s been far too long since I’ve posted here and for that, I apologize. In fairness, I have been very busy… The 1001 details I will spare you, but the good news is that some of my busy-ness involved music… and I’m sharing it with you via online videos and mp3 links!

So let the fun begin. First of all, I’ve been very busy producing videos for myself and others for the last couple of years some of which you can check out via my video production site, AnotherGulliverProduction.com. Currently the lineup includes three VoGE streaming music videos online (in stereo even!):

SISTER MOON MEDICINE SONG (in Stereo)

NIGHT DOG SPIRITS (in Stereo)

CHICKASAW BLUFFS (in Stereo)

That should keep you busy watching for a bit. I have also posted quite a few videos on YouTube, but that’s a topic for another post… Which I will put together very shortly, I promise. Those of you who like to read ahead can go to YouTube and search for VoGE. I hope to see you there!

Memphis’ own daily newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, has always been great about supporting regional artists and now they have expanded that effort into the Internet age. The Talking Stick is one of a group of regional blogs that they are promoting on their website and publishing in the paper itself. This is a wonderful gesture on their part and I appreciate the Commercial Appeal working to be a community resource, not “just a newspaper.”

Regardless of how you found this place, please make yourself at home! In addition to my ruminations, you’ll find links to VoGE music online, and several music videos. I hope you enjoy it here and your comments are always appreciated.

WADO!

Sometimes magic happens… Without planning or forethought, a normal day can transform into something intense and sacred if we just open our hearts to the possibilities. Such a time was recently gifted to me and as luck would have it, a camera was rolling!

I was visiting with some dear friends, one of whom is a sculptor and painter. The ambiance of their home is amazing, like visiting a gallery or museum. As I marveled at the wonderful artwork everywhere about, I also became aware of an amazing number of HUGE quartz crystals in the room. Feeling a warm glow swirling all about me (so strong I could feel it pulsate!), I sat down in the middle of the floor with my Juniper Flute, closed my eyes and began literally inhaling the energies, “charging the flute” with each breath.

The music that soon flowed through me spoke of Sunset time… The period of gathering darkness for all… A time of reliance on a greater light within… It sang a lullaby for sleepy winged spirits… Wistful, whispered promises of rejuvenation before a Dawn sure to come.

As I reviewed the videotape, I was again caught by the magic of the moment and added two additional keyboard tracks. Thus was born the video I share with you now!

SUNSET SONG (8meg file)

Click to view the entire video or

Right Click then choose Save Target As

to download the video to your local hard drive.

I warn you in advance that all the technical elements for a “good video” are missing here. The light was very dim; the camera was casually sat on a table unattended; the room was noisy and I didn’t even use a “good microphone”… But somehow the flaws don’t matter. This is a slice of time, a singular prayerful moment at sunset, crystallized and captured by the technology.

I hope you enjoy the video. It is an honor to share it with you!

AHO!!!