‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Basilica and Savita
by Peter Molenaar Readers of this column might know that the realm of philosophy is divided into two camps, i.e. idealism and materialism. Idealists believe the universe was preconceived and then created, whereas materialists believe the universe has always existed and that consciousness is the product of material evolution. So now”¦ The exhibit of Ludmila Pawlowska”'s “Icons in Transformation” has completed its show at the Basilica of Saint Mary. Set in the awesome nave with its stunning statuary niches, the production was probably the most exquisite artistic exposition of philosophical tension ever. Enter the nave”¦ There were numerous larger-than-life panels suspended in space with eyes peering from beneath dirt and debris. Likewise, the majority of wall hangings cast eyes, often highly abstracted. The tension between ”˜intelligent design”' and ”˜natural selection”' was evident to this observer. In [...]
“Real Americans Vote” Who are the real Americans?
I saw a yard sign in the Seward Neighborhood, it said, “Real Americans Vote” ”“ no, that is not correct, most real Americans do not vote, most Native Americans do not vote, and they are the “real Americans”. When I tell people I have not voted in over five years, and I”'m proud of it””they are disgusted, shocked, but if I was not a middle-aged white guy, but a Native man, they of course would be much more respectful and understanding of my desire to not participate””now why is that? For anyone to assume that I should participate based on my skin color is arrogant and racist. Minnesota is 98% white, it”'s a white thing, and I get sucked into it and am expected to do certain things because I am white ”“ and when I don”'t, it is like I”'m turning my back to my own kind. Here is the white belief, this place is about us, for us, owned by us, ours to govern, ours to sell, created for us, ours to manage [...]
Malala Lives
By Peter Molenaar Is it possible that the spirit of a fourteen-year-old Pakistani girl has touched all of us? Malala Yousafzai faced down death for her cause. Eventually, a Taliban bullet did crease her skull and traverse her face. At the time, even this “non-believer” closed his eyes and bowed his head. “Stop burning down our schools, let us learn, we are human beings”, say the teenaged girls who now defiantly conduct their vigils. They stand openly against Taliban law and its violent enforcement. “Silence is no longer an option”, they tell us. Constitutional reminder (USA): “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”¦”. ”˜Separation of church and state”˜ is derived from this clause. Meanwhile the local archbishop appears as a leading opponent of same-sex marriage. We respond - do keep your own flock in order as [...]