Peace and Hope

In an uncertain world

Some days I’m so overwhelmed by the news of the world that I find it difficult to function. And then I look around.

I’m blessed with a hardworking husband, a roof over my head, plenty to eat with enough left over to feed the menagerie we call family.

I could wallow in depression over the state of affairs affecting our nation, especially politically, or I could try to do something about it. Which is tricky, because as much as I want to be vocal about my opinions and choices, I lost quite a few “friends” during the last presidential election, and I hate finding out that people I love or admire are supporters of someone I loathe. I try hard not to judge, but…

I’m lucky enough to be a reasonably intelligent person.

My parents were called into my school principal’s office when I was in fifth or sixth grade and told that I had achieved the highest score in the state on the standardized test administered to students back in the day. I was not aware of this until after my father died many, many years later, and I found among his papers my school picture clipped to a handwritten note, “Apparently we have a little genius on our hands. It’s a mystery to me.”

That was my dad. God forbid I should get a big head. My mother confirmed this new information, and that they had made the decision not to let me know, ever.

I share this not to boast or brag, but to assure you that I’m not dumb; my opinion is usually fairly well informed and formulated. And I believe the current Republican nominee is not only a despicable person, but will also lead America into a fascist state. I’m sure you’ve heard of Project 2025.

If you share my need for hope in the darkness, read on. If you disagree with me, please give me the grace that I give to you, and we won’t speak of it.

Included among my father’s belongings were his many books, and I kept a few. He was a big fan of Howard Zinn, a historian and philosopher who was about my dad’s age. They had a lot in common as WWII veterans with similar world views, including a suspicion of blind nationalism. They had seen it lead to the horrors of Nazi Germany.

An article by Zinn was included in one of the books on my dad’s shelf, now one of my favorites, titled The Impossible Will Take a Little While. It also contains essays by John Lewis, Pablo Neruda, and Nelson Mandela, among others. I learned that the book’s title refers to lyrics written by Bob Russell for Billie Holiday in the 1940s:

“The difficult I’ll do right now
The impossible will take a little while.”

(Bob Russell also wrote the song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” with Bobby Scott.)

Howard Zinn’s article, from his book, You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History, is titled “The Optimism of Uncertainty” in which he wrote the incredibly positive words, “To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.”

Zinn was also the author of a bestseller titled A People's History of the United States, which was mentioned by Matt Damon's character in the film “Good Will Hunting” (Damon’s were neighbors of the Zinn’s) as well as on an episode of the TV show “The Sopranos.”

Another small world anecdote - after an excerpt from my book on my nephew, Eric the Great, was published in the Ann Arbor Observer last month, I was contacted by a University of Michigan professor emeritus who sent a kind and glowing review.

I responded with thanks, and learned that Joanne Leonard is not only the author of her own book, A Life In Pictures, she’s a famous photographer with work all over the place, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. She and her twin sister were cast as baby actors with Marlene Dietrich in the 1941 film “The Lady is Willing.” Leonard is a a pioneering feminist, was the official photographer at the winter Olympics in Tokyo in 1972, AND her sister was a good friend of Howard Zinn’s wife Roslyn, and was a guest in their home. Amazing!

I’ll close with more of Howard Zinn’s wise and wonderful words, and with images of peace from Darwin’s Eden.

“I am hopeful. But hope rests on doing something. If you're not doing anything to change things, you have no right to be hopeful.”

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”

Here’s hoping.

Until next time….