‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Raise Your Voice – Sisters in Spirit
By PETER MOLENAAR Last month, on delivery of the usual 40 Alley papers to the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the young woman at the desk gave access to the Two Rivers Gallery where a marvelous birch bark canoe is on display. With a twinkle, I inquired: “Who built the first canoe?” As it happened, thousands of years ago”¦. It was to be an unusually warm day for late autumn, it seemed. The Aunties exited the sweat lodge, intent upon harvesting the edge of the marsh. Straddling lengths of logs the men had hewn, they would maneuver the water without getting stuck. In tow were the water-tight baskets they themselves had made. A celebratory fire was stoked near shore for their return. In the shallow, a newborn was placed in a basket for introductions. The gentle rocking induced a contented smile, which erupted in a squeal of delight when a careful spin was applied. Naturally, the toddlers and somewhat older children converged to demand their turn. This [...]
Raise Your Voice – More War Won”™t Work
Peter Molenaar By PETER MOLENAAR Not long ago, I woke to the news of assassination”¦ head swimming with visions of missile launches to and fro, skyrocketing oil prices, etc., etc. A quick study of relevant history commenced, before and after a trip to 4200 Cedar Avenue, where a consultation with WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) took place. Minnesota”™s leadership was bound to speak as well. Our own brave light, Ilhan Omar, stated: “Sending teenagers to die, or to return with lifelong wounds is not what it means to carry out our oath of office to protect the American people.” From across the river, Congresswoman Betty McCollum stated: “President Trump”™s decision to assassinate Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani inside Iraq will have severely negative consequences on U.S. interests around the world”¦ Further, it strengthens the Iranian regime”™s domestic hold on power”¦ Americans now know that 17 [...]
Raise Your Voice – Glow lights against hypocrisy
By PETER MOLENAAR In the small town Christmas season of my boyish years, atop the towering silos of the malting plant, the lights were strewn to form a teepee. At home, my Christian mother decorated a real tree. The living room reverberated all the inspired carols. However, it was the Nutcracker Suite which moved me to lead the siblings in a circle of running leaps. More recently, a thousand lights swayed to the music of the New Power Generation. Actually, 10,000 had gathered to uplift Ilhan Omar and her guest, Bernie Sanders. Visions of socialism danced in our heads. Who are the jihadis of love, compassion, and forgiveness? Millions of Muslim people and Ilhan are. They do not harken the ancient crusades”¦ the wholesale slaughter of a people who truly revered Jesus as a prophet. Ilhan Omar has written: “We must apply our universal values to all nations”¦ only then will we achieve peace.” Why did it take 100 years for the United States Congress to [...]
