Where is the love? 14 June 2016

There are many things on my “Internet To-Do List” sticky note on my computer. Here are just a couple of them:

-       Average income for Americans.

-       Trump’s religious affiliations

-       Area of America compared to Ethiopia

-       Create new email

-       Youtube: “Where is the Love?” By Black Eyed Peas.

Everyday I am asked question. Many of which I don’t know the answer to, but want to. This turns into me wanting to research, but don’t have access to web browser at the moment questions are asked. That is where the first three things on the list come from: quizzative Ethiopians asking me profoundly awesome questions. The fourth I need to create as my Ethiopian friends all call me “Jessie Bruce” and I am tired of explaining my last name to them. The last one has been added in recent days as I can’t answer all the questions presented to me about the Orlando massacre, the rumors that Eritrea is invading Ethiopia and the disheveling-ness of the humanity.

Social media is a powerful, yet often sloppy resource. While most of my Ethiopia friends share a “squat pot” bathroom, have only one electric outlet in their homes, and cook with charcoal, the majority of them have phones that can load facebook and other media sources better than my cheap brick of a phone. News sources get lost among the shares, likes and opinions that quickly link Ethiopians in the States back here. Memes are taken at face value and facts merge into murky details. This leads to half-stories being shared and other images of the world to be formed.

I was told today by a highly educated teacher buddy that the shooting in Orlando was done by a terrorist. When I tried to clarify and state that the shooter was an American, I was told I was wrong as “Americans don’t attack Americans. It must have been ISIS.” Another teacher asked me to draw a map of America to show where Florida is. After I did, he stated: “So the Terrorists came across the ocean.” Again I was reminded that Americans would not harm Americans when I tried to point out the flaw in the logic. (Not to mention that the dictionary defines a terrorist as: “a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims.” )

A friend of mine who does have access to internet and news channels, has informed me that the shooter was Muslim, but, according to his parents, had been lapse in practicing for years. However, news reports are making this as a reason he decided to harm over 100 people.

I just finished reading a nonfiction book called “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers in which Zeitoun states “… everytime a crime was committed by a Muslim, that person’s faith was mentioned, regardless of its relevance. When a crime is committed by a Christian, do they mention his religion?” Then later, “When a crime is committed by a black man, it’s mentioned in the first breath: “An African American man was arrested today…” But what about German Americans? Anglo Americans? A white man robs a convenience store and do we hear he’s of Scottish descent? In no other instance is the ancestry mentioned. (37)” In the seven years since the book was published, and 11+ years since Zeitoun first thought this, how have things changed so little?

Living in Ethiopia for almost two years I’ve seen America through the eyes of Ethiopians many times. They revel at the extravagance of a Thanksgiving dinner and presents at Christmas they see in movies. Teachers are jealous of class sizes of 25 and the up to date material teachers have access to.  The misconceptions that a developed country means that everyone is rich, has their own personal cars, don’t walk, and has large houses are considered facts. Not only have I had to explain countless times that there are black people in America, but also that we are not a perfect country. But which country is?

There are bombings happening frequently. Cops are getting shot or shooting too often. Kids are getting kidnapped, running away, left in toilets and more. Rumors are flying of invasions, while other countries are at an open war with each other or themselves. I openly admit to skipping past the posting from news stations’ facebook pages, when there just seems to be too much depressing news being shared.

It all goes back to the song. While I haven’t heard it (or watched the amazing youtube video of it) in a long time, the Black Eyed Peas were right when they asked the world “Where is the love?” Why are we falling apart when we have more ways of connecting with others than ever before? Why do we, Americans, religiously and racially discriminate, when we tear down Confederate flags that signaled the splitting of a country on similar grounds? Why do we leap to conclusions about individuals and are offended when anyone makes assumptions about us?

Tonight, I am heading over to a friend’s house for dinner and coffee. We will probably watch t.v., definitely laugh, and enjoy a blessed evening together. The only way religion is a factor is that it is Ramadan, so we have to wait till after 7 to eat. Love is in seeing people for the beauty that they are and not seeing the differences as blemishes. Love is in the simple act of treating others like one would like to be treated as a fellow human being. So, where do you see the love?