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| Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright |
Before traveling I always ask friends what book they would recommend. This trip I chose Whistling Past the Graveyard a quick, entertaining, yet thought provoking book. As a perk, the author, Susan Crandall, has Indiana roots which is always a bonus. The book is set in the Deep South in 1963 when the Civil Rights movement was just gaining momentum.
Interestingly enough, my trip to DC, which included a wonderful symposium featuring Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright, also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March so "Justice, or Else" was in the news a lot during our visit. It turned out to be a peaceful gathering of thousands filled with strong speeches regarding social injustices, especially in black communities, that continue to exist in this country.
Maybe my thoughts and emotions were churned up by my book's darling spitfire protagonist Starla, or maybe it was Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright's discussion on diplomacy (also known as compromise!), or the Million Man March that I could not help noticing interactions of my fellow travelers, including my own way of interacting with strangers.
As I waited for my homeward bound plane to board, I was reflecting on how many of the racial injustices occurring in 1963 in the book thank God no longer exist, yet still there are so many similarities to current racial tensions. My thoughts were interrupted when a polite young black man sat down in the seat between my husband and me. After greeting each other, we ran through the basic niceties. When he said he was from New Orleans, I told him that we enjoy visiting there, and I always feel like there are stories I want those streets to tell me as I wander through them. He asked me about Indiana, and for what it is known (corn, beans, and the Indy 500 I guess.)
Usually when I fly, that would be the end of the conversation. Usually my headphones would go on and my favorite music would fill my ears as I watch for tiny landmarks thirty thousand feet below. Usually I do not even introduce myself to the stranger sitting beside me. This was not the usual flight for me.
I refer to certain types of happenings in life as "God-incidences". This was one of those. As we continued to speak with each other, I noticed a large tattoo on the side of his neck, 11:11. Over the years, I have seen many tattoos on strangers and have wondered about their significance, yet until this day had never asked, but for whatever reason, I felt comfortable enough with this stranger to ask. After he told me about 11:11 and the Lightworkers, which I had never heard of but found fascinating, he asked me why I had asked. I explained that my husband (sitting next to him with his headphones on) and I always think of our daughter when we see the clock at 11:11. (That's a story for another day). At that point I tapped my husband's shoulder and had my new friend turn and show him his tattoo. A big smile immediately came to both their faces and a new conversation began between the three of us. Again, very unusual. Our conversation continued the entire flight, and ran the gamut of topics from family, religion, faith, politics, current events, culture, professions, and life experiences.
We shared our life experiences and saw the other's experience from different perspectives. Even though our own lives seemed to have no similarities, we both agreed that we have so much more in common than not. We come from completely different backgrounds, yet we are so many of the same values. It just emphasized to me in these tumultuous times that if we could just connect on a respectful level with those that we think we have nothing in common with, our problems would be much easier to solve, and many would just disappear on their own. Maybe we could have a "Racial Awareness Month" along with all the other good causes that now have a month of awareness dedicated to them. I guess that's for another day too.
As we waited to deplane upon our arrival, the young man chuckled and said, "Wow! That's the very first time I have ever talked all the way through takeoff, the entire flight, and landing." I told him that was a first for me too, and what a pleasure it had been speaking to him. At that point we introduced ourselves by name, and shook hands. He said he could never had imagined in a million years, having such a meaningful exchange with two middle aged white people from Indiana, and that he felt that our conversation might have been the real reason God sent him to the Million Man March in D.C. I told him that I felt the same way, except in my case it was with an amazing young black man who has lived a life I could never have imagined, but clearly God plans on using in a special way. Again, everything but usual.
For whatever reason, that conversation has stayed with me. It reiterates the importance of keeping your eyes wide open to life's experiences, and what can be gained individually by stepping outside your normal comfort zone and speaking to a fellow human being, albeit a stranger.
I know this particular conversation would not have occurred if I hadn't asked a friend for a book to read for fun. Thank you Susan Crandall for Whistling Past the Graveyard, which encouraged me to take more of an interest in passing strangers in my everyday life, and for once again bringing this country's racial relations to my attention. Thank you Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright not only for your dedicated service to our great country, but also for your willingness to share your wise words and experiences forcing me to consider current events in further depth than I usually do in my daily box. Next read..., Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh as recommended by my new friend, Vonnie of New Orleans. Thanks again for the truly enjoyable conversation.
