Definitions given are for a few words and terms that I hear, use, write, speak, and question – especially when used by others I see and hear on TV, in the store, on the street, on the radio, and sometimes right in my face.
I’m not going to alphabetize them because life rarely comes in such a logical, orderly fashion, and my mind, while logical on occasion, is never orderly. The definitions for some entries are brief, due primarily to my level of patience, awareness of the amount of time any reader may wish to spend on this encounter, and because some are just self-explanatory, and my attempt to elaborate is unnecessary and perhaps may even be deemed patronizing.
Ready or not, let’s begin. Please remember, the definitions are according to Kreigh. You are not required to agree, but I most assuredly welcome the opportunity to discuss with you definitions — both mine and yours.
• BLM – Black Lives Matter. It’s not an organization but a way of thinking, accepting, living, knowing, acknowledging, understanding that people of color have a great many “things” affecting their lives and the lives of their children that those with complexions of lighter hues may not encounter. It does not state or even imply that others’ lives do not matter. A perusal of American history is evidence that no one in power here ever questioned or doubted that White lives matter.
• White person — well, this one is tough, because I have never seen a “white” person. Just what is that supposed to mean or imply? What does it for you? Look at your arm; place a piece of white paper next to your arm. It’s probably not the same color. Why is that? Probably because, unless one has albinism, in our long, long history of humanity, no person is 100 percent White. Caucasian, yes; White, no. No matter what some misinformed theorists or egocentrics or whomever try to tell us, being 100 percent White is not even a reasonable expectation. Organizations only admitting those who are 100 percent White will be able to meet in a silverware drawer because enrollment is bound to be really small. Just saying.
• Immigrant — this one is interesting because unless you are a Native American (that would include but not be limited to Sioux, Apache, Nez Pierce, Miami, Cherokee, Delaware, Crow, Hopi, Cheyenne, or others can be “found” with a quick Google search) — you’re an immigrant. I am not referring to “finding” them like Christopher Columbus did, because when he “found” them, they were not lost; he was. Back to the main point, let me repeat – unless you are a member of the original indigenous peoples of North America, you are an immigrant.
As a side note – those anticipating a place called Heaven, unless you were born there, when you arrive, you will be an immigrant. Do you not hope that there is no wall? And to where might you be deported? Just asking.
• Pro-Life — If one declares himself or herself as Pro-Life today, it generally refers to a stance concerning abortion. OK, but what about all of the other areas of life? Can one be Pro-Life and support the death penalty? Or vote to cancel programs that aid children? Or not support in every way possible to keep safe and healthy those who are “here” — infants, children, teens, young adults, adults, the elderly, veterans, the abled, the disabled, and everyone in between? Pro-life concerns certainly cannot begin at conception and end at birth, can they?
• Pro-Choice — Contrary to what some believe, pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion (any more than pro-life means one is actually pro-life for everyone). Pro-choice means exactly that, when faced with a most difficult decision – and I know of where I speak. When I was 18, unmarried and pregnant, my dad, not thrilled with the situation, still made it clear that my options included marriage, no marriage and raising the child, adoption, abortion. He would not and could not make that decision for me. I made the decision Abortion, although an option, was not an option for me. That certainly does not mean that I would ever presume to make the decision for another female — ever. Guess if I wanted the government near my female reproductive organs, I would marry a senator.
• Choice — Just who gets to make the decision about a female’s body and reproductive organs? In a country where some states give a rapist the right to file for parental custody, for instance, shouldn’t the female’s voice be heard? Choice means if a female makes a different choice than you or I would, then that is precisely what makes it a choice. If a female chooses not to have an abortion, then she will not be forced to have one. On the other hand, if a female does choose to have an abortion (for reasons we may never fully know or understand) then she makes that choice. Clearly that is the very meaning of the word “choice.”
• Gun reform — 27 school shootings and over 300 mass shootings in our country in 2022 and the year is only half over. Gun reform does not mean eliminating the 2nd Amendment, it does not mean confiscating every person’s guns, denying anyone his or her “rights,” or making it nigh on to impossible for a person to obtain, purchase, or own a gun. Gun reform means “reform” — to re-form the current laws and legislation. Why should anyone not want reasonable permit and licensing expectations? We register and get a license for marriage, cars, driving privileges, for even adding a shed behind our house for crying out loud.
People should have reasonable expectations that their children will go to and return from school without being shot. People should have the reasonable expectation of entering a grocery store, theater, concert, library, church without wondering who is armed.
• Gun violence due to mental illness — I have to call bull-pucky here. The United States’ deaths from gun violence is eight times higher than Canada and 100 times higher than the United Kingdom. We do not have more mental illness per capita than other countries on this planet, and if we do, then we might consider why and where we can move. Mental illness is the cause of some of our deplorable gun violence statistics, but it is by far not the only component. With an open mind, investigate all of the statistics for yourself.
• Enough — I used to recognize what was “enough” in many if not most situations. Enough meant that whatever occurred previously is “enough” — no more will be accepted, acceptable, tolerated, stood for, allowed. These “lines,” if you will, were often clearly “drawn in the sand” (or in my mom’s case, drawn in cement, but that really is a different story). At one point in my life I had confidence that no matter what assailed us or tried to permanently harm us – as in the United States – that united we would be ok; we would prevail. Today that confidence in who and what we are is not even remotely as clear. We need to establish what is “enough” in our personal lives, for sure, but more critically for our survival, we must establish what is “enough” for us as a nation. I hope we are up to the task.
• Hope — it is the thing with feathers, so wrote Emily Dickinson. Again, I used to have a reliable definition for this word, not so any more. Today I say, with vast regret, that while I still know what it is or should be, I am no longer imbued with it. That very admission makes me weep my soul from my eyes — which may sound melodramatic and exaggerated, two things that I know I can be, but it is not either one, in this case. I need to be hopeful once more.
Here’s the Thing: I could continue, but I am weary, not tired, but weary. This is a bit of my randomness in stark black and white. I have no answers, only innumerable questions and concerns. I, we, will carry on – how, to where, and even why, I often do not have even the smallest of clues. We should talk.
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Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles written by a group of retired and current teachers — Ken Ballinger, Jean Harper, Billy Kreigh, Marianne Darr-Norman, and Anna Spalding. Their intent is to spur discussions at the dinner table and elsewhere. You may also voice your thoughts and reactions via The News-Banner’s letters to editor.
