Hanukkah is a celebration of a revolt. And while I think that Maccabees were rather revolting in their religious fanaticism, I understand the revolutionary impulse — and its place in American history. Our nation's founders were terrorists. They destroyed property. They ran a guerilla war. And they won. And the world is better for it. Thomas Jefferson knew though that revolutionaries can settle in and become what they fought against. Thus his warning to American citizens:
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Jefferson is one of my heroes, not least because he was an adamant believer in the separation of church and state. But also because he believed in the nobility of the human spirit. It is most fitting that a library was named for him — he believed in education for all:
Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.
For those of you who are following these Hanukkah postings, that was the "light" reference for the day! And to close now with the song lyrics from a band that also took his name — the Jefferson Airplane (Starship). I have always referred to the library as the Jefferson Market Library Starship — and the holiday decorations really gave me a photo to capture that name. So my shooting stars, make yourself a light, volunteer in some way to change this lost country.
Volunteers:
Look whats happening out in the streets
Got a revolution got to revolution
Hey Im dancing down the streets
Got a revolution got to revolution
Aint it amazing all the people I meet
Got a revolution got to revolution
One generation got old
One generation got soul
This generation got no destination to hold
Pick up the cry
Hey now its time for you and me
Got a revolution got to revolution
Come on now were marching to the sea
Got a revolution got to revolution
Who will take it from you
We will and who are we
We are volunteers of america.
Krishnamurti said the only real revolution is within. I believe you can only effect real change in the world when you start within. But that doesn't excuse you from working in the world now. If you wait for enlightenment, well, who knows....
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