Inclusion. (1)
Exclusion. (2)
Infusion. (3)
I rather like the intention of infusion.
Such courage and risk.
“All for one and one for all.” (4)
Healthy, robust community.
Love, trust, and safety.
Just a Musketeer claim?
Merely a pipe-dream?
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence).
A radical declaration.
A declaration of treason.
Such aspiration!
The intention of the Declaration, still a work in progress.
My way is the right way.
Your way is the right way.
Easy to get along and include if you agree with me or I with you.
Exclusion, judgment, punishment if disagreement.
Where is civility?
Where is discourse?
Where is the love?
Infusion.
Might it work?
What are the costs?
What are the gains?
The agenda is supreme.
Yet, my and your agendas are certainly extreme and supreme.
With little wiggle room.
Acceptance without condoning?
Love without conditions?
The woman caught in adultery—in the very act.
Got her!
Stone her!
Some doodling in the sand.
No word spoken until the clincher.
“The one who has no sin.
That one cast the first stone.”
A bombardment of stones?
Nary a one.
Redemption?
Retribution?
Self-absorbed without compassion?
Radical infusion.
Self-righteousness propels the stones.
Love is radical and seems antithetical.
But, the Rabbi, demonstrated it.
On whose/what side are we?
Religion?
Politics?
Nationalism?
Just who is my brother and sister?
The Rabbi espoused the radical.
He said come follow Me.
Just who are we following?
And, Jesus wept.
Richard L. Brewer
7/5/20
(1). “The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.”
“Inclusion is a basic right of everyone and its objective should be to embrace everyone regardless of race, age, gender, disability, religious and cultural beliefs and sexual orientation. When we have true inclusion, it is when we have removed all barriers, discrimination and intolerance. When implemented properly, it should make everyone feel included and supported, whichever environment they are in.”
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/what-inclusion-how-do-we-implement-it
(2). “The process or state of excluding or being excluded.”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269488992_Inclusion_A_Defining_Definition
(3). “The introduction of a new element or quality into something.”
(4). All the members of a group support each of the individual members, and the individual members pledge to support the group.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/all-for-one-and-one-for-all
Mediocre Meanderings 