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Last night I had a dream
in which a man wanted to kill me;
for I had integrated his all-white neighborhood.
Actually, I had not integrated it but the communal center of the 'International
Beloved Community' happened to be across the street from his place. As I was
temporarily residing there, he was upset and took upon himself, personally, the
noble cause of ridding the neighborhood and thereby sparing the world of one
more pesky 'nigger.'
Its not that he did not like niggers in particular. He generally detested
all 'peoples of color' and resented his lot in having to endure a life that
brought him into close proximity with even one of them.
While being aware of his displeasure, I was less concerned with the danger his
acute aversion would pose to me. Rather I was more concerned with the legacy
of his loathing; what effect will it or does it have on his mind, body, and
soul. The legacy of his antipathy... From whence... and from hence until
when... and to where shall this legacy play out.
After doing my best to avoid his sniper's stare from the coign of vantage his
attic and porch often afforded him, I was eventually fated to meet him, face
to face. His calling had compelled him to seek me out; and while backing out
of the driveway, I found myself accosted as he yanked open the door and sought
to deprive me of the balance of my time on this side of the veil. Locked,
entangled with him, in hand-to-hand, mortal combat, I still played the defense.
I did not want to be killed yet I did not want to kill him. What hope is
there for remedy for such a trenchant legacy, a stigma so vital?
Perhaps much as a prey is intrigued by the scent of a lion or a bear, when
caught in its snare, I appreciated the air of his indignation and righteousness,
and marveled at the thought of surrender (his and/or mine)... For I was not
his enemy, neither he mine. The roles we played were mis-appropriated. How
shall it end? When? Where?
(To be continued... ? ... or not...)
-- Nur Abdur Rashid
Links to other sites on the Web
A House on a Hill
The Scholar, The Samurai, and the Man of Calling
Israel-Palestinian Solutions