"In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; And there was light. And God saw that the light was good... (NRSV Genesis 1:1-4a)."
In 1990, Robert Fulghum wrote the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. Aside from the fact that I love the title, it caused me to reflect upon my own learning in Kindergarten. And you know what? He's right! One of the first things he reminds us of learning in Kindergarten is, "Share everything." He goes on to list a number of other one liners that we know today, but seldom do we apply to our everyday living. Things like "Play fair," and one of my favorites, "Be aware of wonder." Imagine that! So, as I enter into this post, about the first four chapters of Genesis, I do so from those three directives.
First, "SHARE EVERYTHING!" In the previous post, I pointed out the contrast between the creation narratives of chapters one and two. So I'm not going to dwell on that here, but what I am going to do is urge you to compare the two narratives in your kindergarten mind and ask yourself the question, "Which one of these creation stories do you think your kindergarten learning would most support? Would it be the one that created "humankind" equally - where there is no superiority or inferiority? Would your kindergarten learning most support the notion of equal participation and "sharing of everything?" Or would your kindergarten learning support the creation narrative that identifies a "greater" and a "lesser?" One that emphasized the notion of a big "I" and a little "u?" When two little people are found out to have done the same thing wrong, would your kindergarten learning support a disciplinary course of action that was more severe to one as opposed to the other? And, would it then support that the rest of the class be punished because the identified little "u" and only "u," was disobedient? Would your kindergarten learning and mind be alright with that? Somehow, I don't think so.
The second directive; "PLAY FAIR!" This one really is dependent upon the former. If we can get our minds around "sharing everything," "playing fair," is a no brainier! But as the Genesis story continues, we find that indeed, when the first is not observed and adhered to, then the rest are destined to fail. "Playing fair," presupposes an egalitarian understanding and approach. If, however, there is a group of young people, set aside as "special," and having the favor of the Teacher, the other group is subjected to the whim of the "special" group and the Teacher. And, if I might add, that the identified "special" group - with all of their perks and privileges - adopts a sense of superiority that lead to the exploitation and frankly speaking, the abuse of the second group - that has inadvertently taken on a sense of inferiority. Their worth is inextricably bound to the worth placed upon them by the perceived Teacher and the "special" little people. "Playing fair" becomes an act of self preservation. For example, the "other" one is a faster runner than the "special" one, but s/he slows to let the "special" one win the race. The "special" one gets the award, the accolades, hugs and kisses, while the "other" one is left watching, hoping that their little act of selflessness ingratiates them to the Teacher and the "special" one group. I hear ya'll yelling all the way over here; "What in the hell is she talking about now? And what does this have to do with Genesis 1-4?!? In a word, EVERYTHING!
From chapters 2-4 we see this dynamic played out between what becomes a singular Adam and a singular Eve. We see it played out between their two sons, Cain and Abel. Distinctions were made, establishing power dynamics and a hierarchy of authority. Men are the superior and women are henceforth and forevermore - inferior. And, it is important to know WHO made those distinctions and why! What is "good" and "acceptable," creates a sibling rivalry that leads to murder. But, if we had just stayed in chapter one, with our kindergarten mind, we could all be on one accord. Why? How? Because, we would know that there is enough on God's green earth for everyone. We would know that there is no such thing as a big "I" and a little "u." Each of us to our own meaning would have sacred worth, validity, respect and reverence. It is here that the third and final directive shows up.
"BE AWARE OF WONDER!" Dare to imagine a world of endless bounty, a world where there is no lack. Dare to imagine a world of equality? There is no big "I" and little "u." Dare to imagine that I am better, because you are given all the room and resources to be your best and vice versa. Dare to imagine that we are all back in the sandbox, totally and completely amazed and intrigued by how much sand we can put in our shoes, or how pretty my skin is and your eyes are. Dare to imagine nothing more than the excitement of making a new friend! I see someone all the way in Turkey. Waving my hand in the air, Teacher! Teacher! May I go first? Yes? Thank you...
Hi, my name is Dorinda, what's your name?
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
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