“You can’t live in a bubble… there is no way…” —Dolores Sheen
I don’t know… just sitting here watching the render bar time out, has given me pause as I struggle to figure the best way to summarize the effects Dolores has had on me. Trying to give her justice in representing her wisdom and long history is a rather humbling experience. One that I hope has been somewhat engaging for you. Even though I did my best to keep todays edit brief, and after screening a few hours of footage, a five-minute segment was the shortest I could cut.
Meeting Dolores is like stepping into a vault of history. Like a virtual documentary her stories of meeting presidents, first ladies, and triumphs at the United Nations shadow the reports I’ve seen through many a news feed. Yes, Dolores is the real deal, and having spent time with her has truly made me a better person. My hope is that I introduced her fairly, and that you, my good 365 friends, appreciate the words she has given to us.
So with a warm heart, it is time for us to part ways after this episode. Yet it is with the greatest of appreciation, we dedicate one more day to you Dolores, my dear new friend.
“I think people should plant a seed and understand that seed will grow into a tree, and become the shade of the world after you are gone…” Dolores Sheen
Sankofa: The word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to “reach back and get it” or the Asante Adinkra symbols of a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or of a stylized heart shape. It symbolizes one taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge.
“A child is a promise of immortality.” -Herbert A. Sheen, M.D.
We sit talking… surrounded by walls filled with pictures, art and history. Photo opportunities posed with presidents and celebrities, tribal masks and musical instruments fill a home that is more like museum. Those alone are topics worthy of conversation. Yet, in minutes they somehow fall into the shadows as we converse; and as we do, one painting somehow takes on a light of it’s own. “That’s my father” she pauses with a grace of appreciation.
For two hours I spend with my new friend of the day… No… I hope for life, Dolores Sheen as she talks about her life, the seeds her father planted and the work she is committed to. Her depth of spirit, character and wisdom is heartfelt and her mission to love her neighbors, and educate our children, is powerful.
She is one of those special people. The kind who like many great doers, walks with a warmth, peace and courage in reaching out to better the world around her. By no means is she financially wealthy (actually turns the bulk of her income back to community); carries no mainstream fame (although she has rubbed elbows with many of the worlds elite) and refreshingly asks for no glory in her accomplishments (which are more than enough the cover her walls, and then some).
76 years strong she has walked planet earth, and in all, has stood as a beacon to her cause: That is to do her part in getting people to look at one another as, well, basically human; unique contributors to a world filled withst diversity. Dolores holds the torch high, in boldly saying, “there is no such thing as a Nigger.” A statement that I know would cause the gaping grasp of prejudice to fall upon my shoulders if uttered from my lips. But Dolores has the credentials to make such an aggressive statement, and although I’m caught off guard at her first mention of the term (Nigger being one of the most derogatory words on the planet). How could I not respect her council, a woman of such presence, peace and knowledge?
We talk about it for a while, and as we do clarity comes to my mind. Dolores is not making a racial statement at all. What she is saying is crystal clear. What Dolores is proclaiming is the simplest fact that we are all equally human. I know, hard to swallow for some. Especially when history and much of modern mainstream media have disgracefully proven that, even though we all bleed the same red blood, many terrible atrocities have come and continue to pass. Just look at the fight for the civil rights movement and the enslaved conditions that remain on many a continent. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you have a few shadows in the closet as well. But still, with Dolores’ bold statement we have been shocked into perspective.
In her admonition, she challenges us to reflect upon our own situations, biases and personal histories, and in doing so are encouraged to deeply ponder the labels we put on each other, as well as ourselves.
Regretfully, the dark side of the equation does have negative merit. For there are many who are a divided and opposing people. Forgive me if I sound a touch fatalistic or terse. But I call it as I see it, and if I watered down my observations that would only enlist me into the club of hypocrites and over-inflated evangelists.
That said… I’ll now jump into the brighter end of the swimming pool, the side where no one has pee’d in the water.
For it is because of you, our readers; and through you, the brave many who have stepped forward to be interviewed; and with you, the contributors and followers of Operation 365, that we may all courageously unite in willingly taking the punches to simply love our neighbors. Thus a thesis is proposed and it is up to us to prove its merits.
We are “The Silent Majority.” You and I… everyday people living everyday lives. It is through us that the walls of the misinformed can be toppled down. No, we don’t all have to live the same lives or lifestyles. We don’t even have to agree with each other. That is the beauty of it all. The utter diversity is the very thing that can not only bind us together, but more importantly help us to adjust our personal perspectives. That is if we allow ourselves to drop our own barriers that block what we see at first glace.
Yes, the world is full of pains, disagreements and injustices; and most of us are injured in some way. Yes, there will always be those who exalt their power over the weaker; and yes, with the advent of new technology, along with its rapid distribution of information, the temptation to make quick assertions is ever present. But one the other hand, there is an alternate point-of-view, and its impact is certain. A cause, that through this advent of new media along with the bravery of a new generation of young warriors, could quite possibly begin to turn the wheels of perception. Therefore, might we, the old and the wise ones, do our part to teach as we listen?
Shall we all raise our chins to the world, us… the green, the purple and the orange, to embrace the message that Dolores has so eloquently encapsulated in her proclamation, “There is no such thing as a Nigger!”
Please come back tomorrow to meet Dolores, She has so much good to share and I’ve got way too much interview footage to cut in one day.
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers…” now we are “Friends.”
“I love when I see these things on television and they show these students that go out on boats, and their like, Oh, we wanted to see where all this stuff is that goes in the ocean…” —Jaymie
Do you fear your anger? Do you fear not having control? Do you fear of loosing control? Do you fear of being judged..? —Benny “The Jet” Urquidez
When you first meet him it is hard to look into his gaze. His history reads as who’s who list of martial arts and film credits (check out his IMDB). Just observing the poised body language he carries might make a person or two somewhat intimidated to engage with him as his eyes pierce deep into their subconscious.
At first I try to look away as I talk with him, but there is something too hypnotic in his expression to ignore. My role is to interview him, and for a brief moment I catch myself speechless, caught completely off guard, and not sure how to loosen my fears in getting to know him.
So I ask, a little wobbly, in anticipating a response, “Are people intimidated by your eyes?”
He smiles, “A lot of people say that,” and the ice is broken.
Benny is his name, rather “Benny The Jet,” an honorary title he has earned after decades of blending his authentic spirit of compassion to a field that can only be expressed as warlike. But The Jet is not a war searching man. He is a man who possesses an inner tranquility that is the genesis to his piercing eyes. In getting to know him it is apparent that he is sizing you up for the kill. He is inviting you in to a world of self-development.
Check out what Benny has to share, might pause you as it paused me.
“Turn off your electronic equipment, if only for a day. It is harming the children in ways we don’t realize. It’s okay to use an iPad for learning, some science, or learning something, but what I usually see are people completely disconnected to the world. Everyone is looking down…” —Lucy
The last week I had grand intentions of writing some kind of wisdom that aligned with what our new friends are bringing to the table. Even when meeting Flavio and Lucy at a birthday party my daughter was invited to, words and thoughts rung in my mind. Now starting our 3rd week of O-365 blogumentary (and getting up every morning at 5am to edit before my “real” job starts) the full weight of this commitment is bearing its reality on me.
But just as the first one-year challenge (September 9, 2011 to September 9, 2012), the tired self cannot be slept. The payoff is way to great to let mere fatigue slow me. It is more than my stubborn Taurus personality that pushes me. It is the inspirations being shared by so many. They are much too precious to shelf.
So we will continue to meet new people. Hear fresh and repeated perspectives; and in all, my hope is unhidden. That we will kindle our desire to know our neighbors, support our communities, and as often as we can, raise our chins to greet the world.
As Lucy so well observes, “Everyone is looking down.”
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers…’ now are are “Friends.”
“I am humbled to think of the possibility of future where people are serving one another. Not just because they are of the same religion, race or of the same anything, but, simply for the fact that they are another person who has a story just like they do. Everyone wants to tell their story… but they don’t necessarily want to hear someone else’s…” —Brian
Something about them drew me in. Perhaps it was the feeling as we passed on the sidewalk. Maybe it was my mind profiling those who seemed open and approachable. Or quite possibly it was the fatigue setting in as I fought off the day end weight of tired and heavy eyelids. But whatever it was, it stopped me in my tracks to interview todays “Strangers…” now “Friends,” Brian and fiancé Melissa.
In watching their interview, it is not a far reach to realize that Brian and Melissa are people with great conviction of their beliefs– smiling and enthusiastic followers of Jesus Christ. Speaking with ministerial excitement they express perspectives on sharing, listening and what’s to come.
Brian sums it up. “Why don’t we make it a future of looking outwardly, laterally, around us, and not just inwardly at ourselves; and ultimately, my prayer is, that we would look upwardly.”
Brian, Melissa, thank you for your faithful word. May we all take them into consideration as we ponder our own spirituality? For at the core of our discussion there is one undeniable condition. We are all of similar blood and have right to worship as our heart and spirit dictate. As Brian and Melissa have so eloquently displayed, so shall we be inspired to shine our light upon the world around us.
76 years strong she has walked planet earth, and in all, has stood as a beacon to her cause: That is to do her part in getting people to look at one another as, well, basically human; unique contributors to a world filled withst diversity. Dolores holds the torch high, in boldly saying, “there is no such thing as a Nigger.” A statement that I know would cause the gaping grasp of prejudice to fall upon my shoulders if uttered from my lips. But Dolores has the credentials to make such an aggressive statement, and although I’m caught off guard at her first mention of the term (Nigger being one of the most derogatory words on the planet). How could I not respect her council, a woman of such presence, peace and knowledge?
