Feeling for the Downtrodden - Knowing Some Ills

    I am not the fastest, I am not the brightest. People say that I am a nice guy, but I am also not the nicest. I know plenty of folks who are all of the above, and better at those virtues and strengths than me.

    I told a person a few weeks ago, a man who is very bright and has a future of success ahead of him, that I, based on my life and some of my experiences, could identify with enslaved people, which would be Black people in the history of the United States.

    He said: "that's weird."

    Yeah, he's right. That's weird. And not exactly fair or accurate.

    I have been privileged, and never "owned", per se, as a slave.

    True.

 

    I have been among racial majorities most of my life. However, sometimes through obligations many of us feel like we have less than all our freedoms. However, in most cases I chose those situations and obligations.

    I live in a free land, but there are things that I have committed to do that oblige me to serve. As a Christian and a soldier, as a servant to things bigger than me, but that I have solemnly swore to adhere to.

    Being a husband, being a father, being a servant to the random stranger. Those are some of my commands.

    No, not a slave. Not indentured. But, I have felt the pangs and woes of being in things where I have been locked in. Which, I guess when thinking about it, is how we earn our freedoms.

    Sure.

    But, failure, and under-achievement, striving and trying and being limited by my own capacities and other factors, many of which are my own weaknesses, which makes me feel like I have some "chains" that have held me down. These are inherent or innate things, not necessarily imposed on me by others.

    But, such is life.

    We talk about being "slaves" to some things, addictions, or habits, good or bad...

    We all have to serve some masters, some by more or less choice.

    What am I saying?

    I can feel you, brothers and sisters.

    I think I really do. And I do not think that is weird, my friend.