Check out this adorable book bag my husband gave me over the weekend…
When he handed this to me at First Friday in our town square, my initial reaction was (and still is), “My husband gets me. I’m so blessed.” Then I started dreaming of taking it to the library and to work at my kid’s school and then I realized… Wait a second… In California this means something very different than here in Tennessee!
Evil is Promoted in Some States & Banned in Others
Do you remember when Dr. Seuss books were banned from many of our schools? In our old hometown of Rocklin, California, the local Target reduced the books down to crazy sale prices trying to be rid of the racist, offensive material. I was thrilled to get a deal, but saddened realizing how rapidly our society seems to be changing the rules of what is considered offensive at an ever increasing rate.
Meanwhile, at that same Target, my husband was perusing the book aisles with our oldest, when they came across “A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal” by Sarah Bessey. One passage by Chanequa Walker-Barnes said, “Dear God, Please help me to hate white people. Or at least to want to hate them. At least, I want to stop caring about them, individually and collectively. I want to stop caring about their misguided, racist souls, to stop believing that they can be better, that they can stop being racist.” (https://www.newsweek.com/help-me-hate-white-people-entry-bestselling-prayer-book-stokes-controversy-1582043)
My better half, of Mexican descent with a very dark complexion, walked the book over to the store manager and explained that this kind of speech was hateful as he has a white son, (pointing out the much fairer complexion of our oldest child standing beside him). The manager was shocked at the paragraph my husband read aloud and apologized profusely, promising him she would make sure they were removed from the shelf.
Out here in Tennessee (and in other wonderful red states like Florida) books that are truly evil are banned in schools. Grotesque, pornographic depictions of what many left leaning activists are trying to normalize amongst our youth are called what they are – evil. I call that kind of banning good. Governor Newsom of California calls it bad. (Read more on his hilariously deceptive ad campaign here: http://redstateramblings.com/governor-gavin-newsom-can-keep-you-safe-from-free-states/.)
One of the first questions we had for our son’s high school principal was: “Will there be any curriculum promoting Critical Race Theory? His reply? “Nope. Critical Race Theory is banned in Tennessee.”
(For a fascinating conversation on how the Democratic Party has harmed the black community, don’t miss this episode of Relatable with Allie Stuckey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpdLr1HJbb4.)
Who Gets to Decide the Meaning of Safe?
It’s interesting to me that within its bold black letters, my new book bag represents the clear dichotomy between the two major opposing viewpoints at odds today. One viewpoint, prevalent amongst the left who vote blue politicians in and keep them there even after they’ve destroyed a place with their bad policy says: “We decide what is safe.”
The other viewpoint prevalent amongst many red state leaders is: “There is a higher power Who decides what is safe.”
Those two thoughts are entirely opposed to one another and they represent the root of the many problems we are having unifying as a country. (Check out my post here for Thomas Sowell’s thoughts on how this dichotomy breaks down into every realm of society http://redstateramblings.com/conflicting-visions-thomas-sowell-saw-it-coming/.)
Be Careful What You Wish For
Although our family does not wish to bring in some kind of theonomy, one has to wonder… Is removing God from the picture a good idea for our country? Has it led to greater peace, clarity and love? When we are the ones who decide what is safe, does the world fare better?
I think it’s safe to say, the answer is NO! It wasn’t that long ago we learned this lesson from men like Stalin and Hitler who sought to eradicate religion.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
John Adams
Perhaps that’s why some on the left constantly attempt to reinterpret the Constitution. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/americas-constitution-is-conservative-like-it-or-not/2022/06/25/8a40c834-f487-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.html)
Where Do We Go From Here?
Doesn’t it seem strange that Critical Race Theory is exalted as the key to true justice and equity in some states and seen as racist propaganda in others?
Doesn’t it seem strange that gender ideology is upheld as the only compassionate method of raising tolerant children in blue states while it is considered abusive, manipulating and even grooming in others?
We have defined our own truth and have nothing but division and destruction to show for it.
I’ll know our country is healed when I can wear my book bag and it won’t mean something entirely different depending on which state I’m in!
In the meantime, I still plan on donning my sassy bag when the mood strikes. If you catch me with it out and about, know I’m referring to the good books – the books California doesn’t want me reading to my kids – the books Stalin made illegal in the Soviet Union while he murdered approximately 15 million Christians – the book that Martin Luther spent his life getting into the hands of the common folk. Books are powerful (http://redstateramblings.com/tyrants-love-preventing-people-from-the-fellowship-and-protection-of-books/). One of them even started a Reformation.
“I did nothing. The Word did everything.”
Martin Luther
Whatever state you live in, I pray you live in a home where the good books are read, especially if they’re banned.
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I loved your words! I agree 1000%! Yes, I was encouraged this summer to double check my HS sons summer REQUIRED reading. He was required to read a book so graphic in horror and it was a graphic novel so EVERY gruesome detail was drawn on every page! (Book: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll) My son is 15 and he could barely get through the first chapter it scared him so much to put those images in his head. Even Rutherford Co. schools here in TN…….hummm…. Evil is sly and will patiently, quietly slither into our lives if we are not first careful of how we approach each situation. “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
“Whatever state you live in, I pray you live in a home where the good books are read, especially if they’re banned.” Now THAT’s the most important thing we can have and that we can promote – living in a home where the good books are read, including the bible.
Hi, hello. Native Californian seeking asylum in a Red State. Born and raised in San Diego and never thought I would leave. My husband and I are retired and we are looking to move to Tennessee for many of the same reasons as you and your family. It breaks my heart seeing the decisiveness that has been done to our country. Thank you for your inspiration and having the courage of your convictions too make a difference.