Last night I went to see the movie Boy in the Striped Pajamas - it is a powerful portrayal of the simplicity of a pure relationship, unhindered by prejudice - until the adults stepped in. There are times when I think Heads of States would be better off if they took time to remind themselves of simple truths that most children understand before they are taught to be prejudice. I have recently befriended a wonderful woman from Iran who is teaching me Farsi. She comments to me every time I visit her that she does not understand why I am nice to her - that her experience here in America has been that of being ignored, shunned and pushed away as soon as she says she is from Iran. What a tragedy - I actually understand a bit of how she feels . . you see, several years ago - actually it was right after the American troops went into Iraq . . . I was visiting Brussels, Belgium. We were out in the main square with a group from the Discipleship Training School there and an older man, dressed in a suit walked up to me - after I greeted him, he asked " Are you from America?" - I said, "Yes, I am" - He angrily proclaimed that America should leave Iraq and that I should go home- then he vehemently SPIT on my shoe. I was taken back to say the least . . . yet, I am thankful for that experience - I know that in my heart, I wanted to say to that man - "WAIT, you don't even know me . . . WAIT, please don't judge me so quickly . . . WAIT . . .
My Iranian friend echoes those thoughts . . . the boy in the striped pajamas echoes those thoughts - I pray that I will always remember how I felt being judged so quickly and that I will always WAIT before I pass judgement on others.
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