Having to face up to the last week of my London sojourn is not easy. But it certainly got me moving in the right direction. I’ve found how quickly and cheaply British express mail works for items shipped within greater London for one thing! I’ve also finally visited the neighborhood French bistro with a very nice menu and a great atmosphere,
I also finally gave in to my budget conscious ways and splurged on an expensive theatre ticket for “Oslo,” the dramatization of the first face to face negotiations between
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. These were organized by Norwegian diplomats and a Norwegian NGO. The Israelis were forbidden from sending official representatives, so they sent two academics. It was the first time either side had met members from the “opposing camp. They got past their suspicion and fear. They made progress, they found a little peace. They will get there again because they know they can.
“Oslo” sort of helped me focus my thoughts on what this trip has been like for me on the level the more sublime journey of the mind and heart Being away from the American 24 hour news machine has been a kind relief. I have seen America through the lens of Facebook. What did I see? Very little dialogue on the NFL players “take a knee” controversy. There has been a complete lack of dialogue or platforms for genuine dialogue. The story of abuse in Hollywood has been shocking, sad, and opened wounds for women and men across the country. Having seen how effective anti-discrimination, gender-neutral policies have been in the Federal sector, I was particularly shaken by the revelations from the entertainment industry. Americans do not like to be seen as victims, it is not who we think we should be and so we often bottle it up and carry on, as so many of the women who have joined the “me too” campaign did. Many of those in my circle of friends survived their ordeals and succeeded, but they suffered too. This is what I saw and felt in the last few weeks as I struggled through difficult conversations and difficult memories of my own “me too” ordeal and memories of bullying and discrimination in my life.
My London Sojourn, though, has been filled too,with the astonishing book “The Lost Way,” which re-energized that spiritual part of me. And it has been touched by connections with the Oneonta alumni and one current student, and random folks I’ve met. I’ve had time with my English family, the Grants, unexpected discussions in unexpected places. On the whole, I’d say, I’m glad that I still think that life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. I’m probably not going to spend too much time worrying about the speck in your eye, when I’ve missed so many logs in mine.
Mark In London 