Questions by Asa
Asa. Beautiful musician. She was born in Paris, spent time in Nigeria and then returned to France. She is one of those artists that represent the world with her lyrics, her rhythms, her being. I think that inevitably happens when we speak multiple languages. For her, it's Yoruba, French and English.
Omran Daqneesh's name was in the news this week. Many times. In fact, a CNN reporter was doing a piece on Omran and his family who are based in Aleppo, Syria. Bombs destroyed their home. And the reporter broke down into tears. I saw Omran's photo pop up in social media and then saw this footage. In some ways, you know what I thought to myself? Thank God. Thank God she cried and we can feel for people from different parts of the world. I couldn't stop crying when I saw that photo and watched her response.
And at the same time, I looked at Omran, this beautiful little 5 year old child and wondered...why him? What did he and his family do to deserve this? Why do children have to suffer?
Up to date, 4,500 children's lives have been lost in Syria. Why does war desensitize us? What is it about the fact that single digits and facts will shock us, but keep upping the numbers, and we suddenly lose our ability to feel? Why can't the tears be more infectious?
There are those of us who are incredibly brave, who risk everything to save lives through turmoil, like the White Helmets. Who ask the questions and walk with courage towards the answers.
"Their efforts to save lives in the most dangerous place on earth are awe-inspiring and merit the deepest respect." Wendy Chamberlain, Middle East Institute
I heard Asa's song, 'Questions' recently and it made me pause. Simple lyrics:
Tell me how many women childhood dreams come to past
Tell me how many movies turn out real
There are so many questions
Questions I'll like to ask
So you can understand exactly how I feel
Tell me how many people wish they were someone else
Someone they think the world wants them to be
Tell me how many babies will be born just to die
Leaving me with these questions
Asking why...
I admire the people who pause to ask these questions, these incredibly tough questions and work to figure out solutions. We seem to be living in a space and time continuum, where pausing to try and answer questions is not what we value.
The contemplative practices of Catholicism, meditation of Buddhism and Hinduism, the prayers and reflections of Islam... any kind of practice that makes us stop for a moment to figure out truth and compassion on that deeper level is what we need more of.
I will continue to think about Omran and his family. He has a strength I have never known. I hope he gets to have a semblance of childhood. Doesn't he deserve it?
ASA: Questions
Omran Daqneesh's name was in the news this week. Many times. In fact, a CNN reporter was doing a piece on Omran and his family who are based in Aleppo, Syria. Bombs destroyed their home. And the reporter broke down into tears. I saw Omran's photo pop up in social media and then saw this footage. In some ways, you know what I thought to myself? Thank God. Thank God she cried and we can feel for people from different parts of the world. I couldn't stop crying when I saw that photo and watched her response.
And at the same time, I looked at Omran, this beautiful little 5 year old child and wondered...why him? What did he and his family do to deserve this? Why do children have to suffer?
Up to date, 4,500 children's lives have been lost in Syria. Why does war desensitize us? What is it about the fact that single digits and facts will shock us, but keep upping the numbers, and we suddenly lose our ability to feel? Why can't the tears be more infectious?
There are those of us who are incredibly brave, who risk everything to save lives through turmoil, like the White Helmets. Who ask the questions and walk with courage towards the answers.
"Their efforts to save lives in the most dangerous place on earth are awe-inspiring and merit the deepest respect." Wendy Chamberlain, Middle East Institute
I heard Asa's song, 'Questions' recently and it made me pause. Simple lyrics:
Tell me how many women childhood dreams come to past
Tell me how many movies turn out real
There are so many questions
Questions I'll like to ask
So you can understand exactly how I feel
Tell me how many people wish they were someone else
Someone they think the world wants them to be
Tell me how many babies will be born just to die
Leaving me with these questions
Asking why...
I admire the people who pause to ask these questions, these incredibly tough questions and work to figure out solutions. We seem to be living in a space and time continuum, where pausing to try and answer questions is not what we value.
The contemplative practices of Catholicism, meditation of Buddhism and Hinduism, the prayers and reflections of Islam... any kind of practice that makes us stop for a moment to figure out truth and compassion on that deeper level is what we need more of.
I will continue to think about Omran and his family. He has a strength I have never known. I hope he gets to have a semblance of childhood. Doesn't he deserve it?
ASA: Questions
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