Today marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 events. Many have already shared tributes, posts, presidential speeches, and memories. There are undoubtedly many emotions. There are lessons to remember and learn. For others, there is also a sense of realizing how more deeply divided we have become since 9/11 over twenty years ago. Every issue now causes a level of controversy that destroys relationships and divides families. There are new domestic and international threats. A global pandemic continues to cause death, disrupt economies, and divide people. There is much that could be reflected on.
Category Archives: Reflections
2020 Reflections
2020 will be a year that will go down in history as the year of COVID-19! What a year it has been. 2020 has been full of challenges, uncertainty, disrupted plans, canceled trips, restrictions, limitations, hoarding, hunger, pivots, conspiracy theories, emotion, drama, protests, politics, riots, and our rights. And all in an election year, which added fuel to the fire! In this article, I want to reflect on some of these central themes and lessons I have learned from a Christian perspective and what I hope might be a helpful perspective for you as well.
Race-Related Reflections
I hope we can all learn something beyond where we started in our views, opinions, or despite political leanings. There is a way to hear others out, strengthen relationships (instead of destroying and dividing further) even if we still come away not fully agreeing. Also, if we never dive deeper into issues and others experiences, except becoming more entrenched in our pre-determined views/cliches/experiences, how can we ever grow as a people, emphasize with one another, love one another, and gain a deeper appreciation for others and their cultural dynamics even if different from us?
Ben Foley 