Heidi Neumark talks a lot about September 11, 2001. I still remember exactly what happened that morning. I am not underestimating the effect that it had on everyone, especially not on those so close to the happenings. 

However, she talks of the phone calls that she received from people after the attack. People called asking what they could do to help her congregation, and she says that she gave them other phone numbers of people to call. 

Then, she continues to talk about the horrors of the attacks, and compares that suffering of her congregation daily to that of the suffering of 9/11. 

But, when people called to ask her what they could do, she sent them away. What I don't understand is why she would send them away?

She says that not enough people offer to help as often as they should, but when people do ask what they can do, she sends them away. As well, she says the only person she can think of is the man who was caught under one of the collapsing buildings in the attack. 

Is not her whole congregation suffering, as she consistently says? Do they not need the help that people are offering? Why turn away help when help is so desperately needed?

Justice

I find it hard to define "justice". Everyone's definition is different. But, that is the beauty of mankind, of freewill. I love that you cannot define everything by a textbook definition. You cannot say that one thing is most certainly right or wrong. For example: A man, good and right, loses his job. He cannot provide food to his family, to his wife and kids. What is right--for this man to let his family starve to death, or steal a loaf of bread so that his family might eat?

There are numerous accounts like this, trying to decide which is the worse of two evils. But everyone will answer differently. That is why we have freewill: so that we might decide for ourselves. 

Most of us would agree upon many forms of injustice, but we would differ upon our actions towards them. If you see someone arguing, do you go in from the start and become involved in something to which is none of your concern, or do you wait for them to begin beating each other and then try and break it up?

I don't have the answers to these, most certainly not, and I don't think anyone should. Because everyone's answers will be different, and you could not fully define what is right. 

Project Update

For my project, I kind of changed my idea. When I went home over spring break, I asked people what their view of "justice" was. I also asked them where they grew up and how long they've lived in Orange County, and what has influenced their view of justice. 

I've found that it's hard to get a random sample, since I asked around in my neighborhood, friends, friends' friends and people around where I was. But I think that the responses are interesting. 

As well, I am going to ask around here, in Nashville as well. I will ask the same questions in the same manner, and see if the answers differ at all, and by how much. 

I plan on posting everyone's response in a new blog on blogspot. Each new post will be from a different person. You will be able to read everyone's thoughts, and can even respond to them, and then add a post of your own stating your views. 

As of now, I need to survey people in Nashville, and start the new blog and put my responses from California in it. I may survey more people, as well, when I return home for Easter. 

Civil Rights Room

I thought our field trip today was really interesting. I had never been to the Nashville library. In fact, I've hardly been to any libraries since the ones near my home were not so great. However, the Nashville library is amazing. It was nice to see such a beautiful public building, since in California not a lot of public funding gets put towards that. 

As well, the Civil Rights room was awesome (and I mean that in the way that it causes awe). To see the photos on the walls of different parts in the movements was shocking, because I've never seen photos like that outside of books. 

I had no idea the extent to which Nashville played in the Civil Rights movement. I thought that it was just like almost any other city in its role. It was refreshing to hear that students partook in the movement, and especially white students, and even teachers. 

It was an amazing experience, and I look forward to going back!