Julie A. Ferraro | FāVS News Columnist
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
On my recent travels, I came across an interesting sight: a well-publicized mural painted on the side of a six-story office building around 10 years ago that was about to be hidden by a massive apartment construction project in the vacant lot next door.
For one thing, I was surprised that the mural hadn’t been painted over prior to the new construction beginning — maybe a naïve thought on my part, and a waste of money when the entire wall will be totally covered.
Until such time as the new construction is demolished at some future point, perhaps a hundred years from now.
When history gets covered up
Then, will that lingering mural become a sort of time capsule for historians to reflect upon regarding what was important for this particular city in these earlier years of the 21st century?
A strange correlation also struck me: how the current trend of selectively rewriting history could have the same impact. In the — possibly — near future, will those living look back at what happened and wonder why certain people tried to erase key figures from history?
What about the many voices who, because of their strong faith, tried to speak up to oppose such actions, or advocate for those on the margins, yet were ignored? The people who aren’t noticed by the media, or don’t have money and power to exert their influence over the situation at hand?
These people — who believe sharing God’s love with all should not be limited to what society “approves” or disregards — may not have social media accounts with thousands or millions of followers, or even a few hundred. They speak a very valid truth, yet their words vanish in the air. Or, they are described as “preaching to the choir,” meaning only the rare like-minded souls will hear their message and take it to heart.
Power and platforms vs. principle
Like the hidden mural, they are summarily “buried” while the world goes merrily on, focused on a consumer mentality and exclusionary attitudes that bring harm on so many levels.
Conversely, social media “influencers,” those who preach one type of faith while failing to live according to the same faith they impose upon others, or politicians on a local, state and federal level who ran for election claiming concern about the state of the environment, the need for improved services for the homeless, immigrants and others just seeking to live their full potential as they muddle through their daily routine, point the finger at these very issues as the source of the problem.
All the while, they should be developing viable solutions that ensure the dignity of all, and using their very public voices to unite rather than divide.
When I saw that marvelous artwork being concealed by a purely utilitarian structure, my heart ached. It aches even more as I listen to the nonsense being preached from pulpits, or from the floors of the legislature.
Why is it so difficult for people to realize what kind of harm they are causing to their fellow human beings, equally worthy of love and respect, as God loves us all?
An individual’s country of origin, skin color, religious beliefs, and so many other “labels” that can be tacked to their description to make them seem threatening, should be cast aside as we stand face-to-face with our brothers and sisters and work for the betterment of all.
We should respect our history and not fear honest accounts of what happened to bring us to this point in time, positive or negative. We should be open to learn about others — their joys and their struggles — and open to the truth: God loves all creation and wishes that love be shared without restrictions.
We can only hope that, unlike the hidden mural that might not be viewed again for ages, we won’t have to wait decades or centuries for the voices raised in support of others to be heard.
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Thank you for finding a concrete example of what is happening to our history as it is being literally whitewashed.
To the victor (the money, the powerful) goes the history.
I have found nothing in history books since a paragraph mentioning in a 1943 history book of the Philippine/American war that killed 200,000 Filipinos and 50,000 Americans between 1898 and 1905. Rudyard Kipling wrote “Whiteman’s Burden” to welcome the US into the imperialists club.
I learn much more by talking (civilly) to those I disagree with than to the choir that I agree with.