Readers Write: Some thoughts about color

The Island Now

Some thoughts about color 

Some say the world will end in fire/Some say in ice./ 

From what I’ve tasted of desire/ I hold with those who favor fire./ 

But if it had to perish twice?/ I think I know enough of hate/ 

To say that for destruction ice/ Is also great/ 

And would suffice.  “Fire and Ice,” by Robert Frost

 

 

I read an article that labeled states “Red,” and “Blue,”

when I came to the comment blog I stopped to think—

some asked how can anyone live in such a blue place?

Equally toxic vitriol condemned red.

 

I think the mindset is oxymoronic, clearly false,

un-American, and goes against the individual and freedom.

It belies a type of chattel slavery with blinders on;

at its core is lock-step division that leaves no room

for debate and avoids the complexities of which we’re all part,

as if some want to sow the seeds that reap civil war

only this time opposing sides are not blue and gray.

You’d be wrong to think some things were settled long ago,

everything changes yet remains the same…

and the manner of reporting stokes the flames.

 

Relations have always strained over rights.

For religious freedom then to break from a king.

For Native Americans, slaves, immigrants, minorities.

State’s rights or Federal rights.

What side to take in two world wars.

What to do about women’s rights, McCarthy’s red scare,

the Vietnam War—What about for blacks, people of color,

and broader civil rights—What to do about the top 1%,

10%, poor whites and the middle class?

 

I say this is how it is.

We don’t have to agree and respect each other—

that would be a really welcome change of pace.

We go to work, school, play sports.

We celebrate birthdays, weddings, family, life, honor veterans.

We sing beautifully in churches, temples and mosques

beneath the arched vault of sky above this land.

We treasure our unique richness and work together.

To our great fortune we live here.

Stephen Cipot

Garden City Park

 

 

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