Elitism Everywhere

One has not begun to appreciate the choral repertoire until one is familiar with Palestrina.


This smug little response was made to the question "What are your favorite choral works to sing" posted on Facebook questions.  The response is elitist, exclusive, divisive, and just downright snotty -- reeking of a strong implication that the appreciation of choral music which excludes certain choral works could not possibly be "appreciation."   


Being one whose musical style has been described as "too white for black" and "too black for white," this writer is content to straddle the fence and land on either side in comfort.   Sometime ago, many evenings were spent jumping from one side of the fence to the other:  first to Sleepy Hollow, a restaurant/piano bar in Town & Country Village in Houston, sitting in for Russ White, the consummate all-around pianist.  When Russ took his breaks, Andrea would play and sometimes sing old standards like I Left My Heart in San Francisco and My Funny Valentine.  Then she would zip across town to the Wunderbar on Southmore in the Third Ward area and end the night listening to Iola Broussard belt out jazz and blues standards.   Other evenings were spent, spellbound, at the opera or symphony.  And then -- on Sunday morning -- generally multiple worship services incorporating all genres of religious music, from songs based on African melodies (the harmonies for which were nonexistent -- and damn the musician who would tried to create them!), to incredible hymns, the compositions of which were paid for with life's experiences, to soul-stirring gospel, to centuries old anthems that made one's heart soar to the heavens.  With such musical wealth, how can one have "A" favorite?  Is there one and only one way to touch one's heart?  If so, what a tiny heart one must have!  


So, what has this to do with elitism everywhere?  Simply this:  a narrow scope of any one area can be indicative of a narrow scope of the big picture.  True, everyone is entitled to one's own opinions and preferences.  Still, how far does one go with that?  


Try this:  One has only begun to appreciate automobiles until one is familiar with the Koeniggsegg Trevita, which, at $2.21 million (according to Forbes) is the world's most expensive car.  


Just curious:  What about the automobile that is right for you?   That you can afford?  That serves you well?  


Or, try this:  One has only begun to appreciate flowers until one is familiar with Cannas or Calla Lilys.


Just curious:  What about those daisies your child or spouse picked out of the front yard and brought to you in a mason jar?


Or, try this:  One has only begun to appreciate beauty until one is familiar with Julia Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, . . . ????


Just curious:   Who is truly beautiful to you?  Is he/she someone with the right look on the outside? Is that all that matters?  If so, what happens when the look fades?  What about the person behind the look?


Now, try this:  One has only begun to appreciate -- freedom -- education -- others -- until one is familiar with --- ????


So, what does it for you?   Is your appreciation of freedom based on your having rights that others do not enjoy?  Is your appreciation of education exclusive to you and yours, or something to which all should have access?  Is your appreciation of others based on whether or not they look, act, speak and think like you?  


Or can you appreciate that while we may be 99% alike, the 1% that makes us different from each other is the special something that God put in each us for the sake of variety and diversity -- to expound on the miracle of His creation?  Is there but one type of fruit?  Flower?   Dog?   Bird?   Man?   Woman?  Culture?  Absolutely not!


The differences in all of us make elitism in any realm a smear on the big picture of creation, and an absolute slap in the face of the Creator.


How dare any of us -- what right have any of us -- to slap the face of the Creator?

There's Room at the Table -- If You Want There to Be

There was a wedding, attended by lots of folks connected to the bride, groom and their respective families via business relations, church membership, neighborhoods, and other ways. At the reception, Mr. & Mrs. Newbee staked out a table with other guests whom they knew. Upon leaving the the round table set for 10, to visit the buffet of sumptuous fare, Mrs. Newbee left her purse in her chair and Mr. Newbee left his hat in his.

Upon returning to "their" table, they found their chairs occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Ikkslusiv. Mr. Newbee's hat and Mrs. Newbee's purse had been placed on a ledge behind the Ikklusivs. As the Newbees stood, looking in wonderment, eyeing the empty chairs at the table, Mrs. Ikklusiv spread her arms wide and said these are all taken. Mrs. Newbee replied, yes, I know, they are ours. That's my purse and my husband's hat. And that sitting in front of you is my half-emptied water glass. Mr. Newbee leaned into his wife and said let's just find another table.

The Newbees turned around to the adjacent table, which was empty. They sat. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Barnabas approached. As Mr. Newbee looked up and saw Mrs. Barnabas, he began to explain how they had been displaced. Well, these are tall take -- but we can make this work. Before either of the Newbees could react, Mrs. Barnabas began shifting chairs around.

As the evening progressed Mrs. Newbee sat back and surveyed the very full table. Her husband was deeply engaged in conversation with Mrs. Barnabas. All around the table were smiles and lots of chatter. No one seemed uncomfortable. In fact, there seemed to be ample elbow room, and everyone appeared to be having a great time of fellowship and celebration at this wedding feast.

I really don't believe it necessary to say anything else here.

Thanks to Pastor Steve Wells, whose dissection of Galatians 2:11-4 yesterday evening, prompted me to make this record of a true incident which happened not too long ago.

And I'm tempted to ask one question -- okay -- a compound question: Who is it that you would exclude from the table, and who would exclude you?