By intention I live a tranquil, sheltered life. I picked up
the newspaper today and read about the new Degas/Cassatt exhibit opening at the
National Gallery of Art. Wow, I think, I have to see that—it might be enough to
make me go the few miles into the city. Maybe I’ll even be wild and crazy and
take the Metro into town. I was eager to read the Weekend section of the paper
for reviews of local farmers markets to learn where I could go to find the
freshest and most exciting delicacies of the season.
But it was impossible to miss the photo on the front page of
today’s newspaper—a young Burmese mother holding her starving infant. I wanted
to look away, to fold the paper inside out so I never had to be reminded that
such an image exists and that it dare to put a dagger into my peaceful life.
Tears welled up in my eyes. How could anyone with a heart look at that image
and feel nothing?
The article with the photo described the situation in a
refugee camp in Burma. Muslim refugees are being starved, virtually ignored by
their government, barred from assistance by foreign relief agencies, and bullied
by extremist Buddhists. Yes, apparently there are extremist Buddhists in Burma.
Something I never imagined could exist. Isn’t that the complete antithesis of
Buddhism? What people do in the name of religion never ceases to amaze me. But
this one has risen to the top of my list of incomprehensible things about
alleged people of faith.
My quotidian concerns include where I can find perfect raspberries
this week. I fret about my technique for making coffee. I get angry when Whole
Foods runs out of Power Muffins. Admittedly I am a self-indulgent middle class
American woman who never had to worry about her babies getting enough food or
health care. I hate the stereotype and there’s something I hate about myself
for being so comfortable in it, for feeling that I deserve these things.
When I saw the photo I cried for the woman’s heartbreak. I
cried for a world that never ceases to be cruel and unfair. I cried for myself,
for all the times I have looked away from these photos. And I feel powerless in a world gone wrong, trapped in a
humanity besieged by evil and pain. If I dare look at it.
I have said these
things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Photo credit: Andre Malerba, Getty Images
No comments:
Post a Comment