Requiem for a Thought

My friend Doug is no longer working with me. He was laid-off recently. Though I know we’ll keep in touch, I’d like to spend a few moments and reflect on a relationship that was very unique for me.

Doug is a black man and holds a law degree from American University. Yes, that American University about which I had so many wonderful things to report in an earlier post. He grew up in Ohio to a father who was a World War One veteran and a mother who was extremely active in the Republican party. They were the only black family on the street. And, as if that weren’t unique enough, Doug’s grandfather was a slave. Now that I think about it, I doubt there is anyone on this planet with a similar background to his. So, naturally, we had some interesting discussions.

Before our daily conversations, I had never really talked in depth with someone who was black. I’ve had such discussions with people of other races/ethnicities, but I don’t recall any of them being with someone who was black.

I think we talked about every important and unimportant issue out there, from Beyonce to capital punishment. And it was a great experience. I taught him a few things about "white" culture (e.g. Q: "Mike, what’s up with that new salesman’s hair?" A: "Doug, that’s called a mullet."). He taught me some things about "black" culture. (e.g. dashikis).

In his youth, Doug was a semi-militant black activist—not quite Black Panther but close. Today, he has mellowed into more of a very moderate Republican. He told me that he likes conservatives because they are more apt to think logically through things and will listen to what you have to say. Generally, I think that’s true. One needs only to look at the recent spat of adolescent liberals throwing pies and drinks at invited conservative commentators (e.g. Buchanan, Horowitz, Coulter). Free speech only when you agree with it I suppose.

Doug, like fellow African-American Bill Cosby (though Doug doesn’t find him funny), laments the decline in black culture: From names like Shineequa to black women being portrayed as cheap whores in rap videos, he thinks that black culture must change. And he also is ready for us to leave Iraq, especially after spending $300 billion on the expedition. That is a steep figure.

Today marks a week since he was let go. He was a good guy, and will be missed.

Pope Benedict XVI

I hesitated to post on Pope John Paul II’s death earlier this month in part because of the other monumental event that occurred just before it—the starvation of Terri Schiavo. However, I’d like to say just a few words about the former pope and then talk a little about the new one.

Pope John Paul II (JPII, I liked to call him) was an amazingly charismatic individual. He was part of a triumvirate that helped destroy the last vestiges of communism in Europe. And, for me, he’s hasn’t just be a pope but the pope. I was born after he was elected and had grown up with him as pope. Sure, popes came before him, but that didn’t reverberate with me personally. So I think it’s going to take a little getting used to a new pope—this new pope.

Pope Benedict XVI—lets just go ahead and shorten that down to “BD16”—is an interesting choice. Supposedly his social disposition is more reserved than JPII. And since the man is nearing 80 years of age, I wouldn’t expect him to be touring the world. However, if he is, as one UK newspaper suggested, “God’s Rottweiler,” then he might be great for the Church.

One thing that JPII didn’t (and perhaps couldn’t successfully) deal with was the sexual abuse scandal that consumed the Church. There’s something wrong with (if what was reported was true) threatening to excommunicate a Cardinal for discussing the papal selection, but NOT excommunicating a priest who rapes a boy. To say that the scandal was “unfortunate” hardly represents the gravity of the situation; and the situation is not over.

I think BD16 will step up to the plate here. If he is willing to deny communion to someone who supports abortion or euthanasia, certainly there is a far greater punishment for priests/rapists. I also think BD16 will start to “clean up house” so to speak beyond sex abuse.

I don’t foresee any married or female priests during BD16’s tenure. But I do wonder whether the Church will begin to change after this pope. Let’s face it, he is much older than JPII was when the latter was elected pope; he may have, what, 5—10 years realistically? Was his election meant to be a long-lasting presence or was it just a last gesture to his predecessor? I don’t know. But I do think that BD16 will stir some things up a bit as long as he has the papal pulpit.

It has been nearly a month since my last post. However, I'm working on some new material. Check back in the next few days...