Stories of Us - November 19, 2021

Stories of Us - November 19, 2021
Posted on 11/19/2021
Partnership Educators,
March 4, 1865, began as a rainy and windy morning.  As the speaker stepped up to the podium to deliver his address to the crowd, the sun fortuitously emerged from the clouds.  The 30,000 attending the event knew that the Civil War was coming to a close.  They expected to hear a speech of vindication, of triumph, a celebratory oration that would demonize the South.  Instead, they heard 701 visionary words concerning mutual responsibility, unification, and healing.  Many consider this second Inaugural Address to be Abraham Lincoln's greatest literary achievement.

"Fellow countrymen: at this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends is as well known to the public as to myself and it is I trust reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

"On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it ~ all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place devoted altogether to saving the Union without war insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war ~ seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

"One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves not distributed generally over the union but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen perpetuate and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered ~ that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses for it must needs be that offenses come but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which in the providence of God must needs come but which having continued through His appointed time He now wills to remove and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him. Fondly do we hope ~ fervently do we pray ~ that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'

"With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan ~ to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Lincon had experienced darkness throughout his life.  He was impoverished for most of his childhood with the loss of a parent and a sibling.  He did, later in life, attain some modest wealth, but as a youth, he drifted from job to job and often carried substantial debt.  Of course, all of our experiences are meaningful to us and change our thoughts about the current times in which we live.  Certainly, Lincoln's own life experiences had brought him to recognize the need for empathy and understanding in order to heal.


Forgiveness (not forgetting), empathy, and hope are crucial to reconciliation and healing.  Perhaps the best modern example of this is Nelson Mandela.  When he emerged from decades of brutal work, torture, and humiliation at Robben Island Prison off the coast of South Africa, his goal was reconciliation for all South Africans, not vengeance. 


As we move into this week of Thanksgiving, I am thoughtful of the things that I am thankful for as one of which is all of you.  We do have amazing people who care deeply and passionately about serving children.  I know that we don't always agree but it seems to me that we all agree on one thing and that is the importance of helping our community grow its children.   Have a peaceful and loving time this Thanksgiving season.


It is with a sad heart that I am announcing the passing of Larry Fells this last Tuesday, November 16, 2021.  Larry was a teacher in our district for over thirty years and was a Redding Teachers Association President for many of those years.  Many of the honors that we give to our staff members today were developed under Larry's watch.    We wish nothing but peace for Larry's family and friends in this time of sorrow.  If you are interested in reaching out to Larry's widow, please let me know as I have contact information.


See you all after the break,

Rob

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