After 9/11 I wrote myself (and the few followers of my old site) the letter that follows. I love this letter because of its hope in a human-centered, humane future. We aren’t there yet. I’m still watchfully waiting for something wonderful to happen.
As I recall, watchful waiting is not passive. It’s a concept from the Black church tradition that essentially says “I intend to create the best conditions for good to happen.” As in gardening, you do your best the prepare the soil, provide water, and ensure that your seedlings get the sunlight or shade that the need, and then you wait–or better put–anticipate.
Now we know that good may or may not come–as they used to say in church “tomorrow is not promised”; however, it is certain that nothing good will grow in an unprepared garden.
When I think about watchful waiting I think about an ancestor putting a light out in the front window for an expected unexpected traveler. I think about the empty chair and place-setting at the table for a physical or spiritual guest that might show up at any moment. I think about the space we need to make in our lives for something or someone good to happen.
I’m reminded of the truth that we are the reality that came into the light that our ancestors put out for us. We would all do well to remember that we are the answers to someone’s fervent prayer.
Let’ prepare a positive Afrofuture.
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CREATION TIME: October 11, 2039 0322Z Earth Standard
CODED
FOR RECEIPT ON: September 10, 2001 0850Z Earth Standard
Dear Jesse,
I will be brief because, as you might expect, I cannot include anything in this letter that might endanger our future, and the energy required to send this message is enormous. But I am writing this note because your actions, as well as those of others, in response to a coming horrifying event will determine the fate of this planet. This letter is both a warning and a plea.
Jesse, something horrible will happen tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what will happen for the reasons mentioned above; however, I can tell you that this tragic event will eventually be followed by something wonderful! Again, I can't tell you what will happen because the risk to my present (and your future) is much too great. I can tell you that this "wonderful event" will not happen if, as a result of the preceding tragedy, you decide to stay locked in your home in a state of despondency.
This "wonderful thing" will not happen by itself. And, you will have to actively work with your neighbors, friends, and even your enemies, to bring it about. This new event will be completely unexpected, and it will happen without approval or support from the leaders of any country, race, gender, creed or [CAUSALITY HAZZARD: WORD HAS BEEN DELETED]. It will happen because ordinary people like you (me) will decide that "enough is enough", and work together to put an end to the cycles of violence we inflict upon one another.
So, while times seem difficult (in your) now, I can promise that things will get better if you decide with other people of good will to take your destiny in to your own hands. I can't begin to tell you how much the future depends on your success.
Pray for peace, but act with hope,
Jesse Alexander
Chief
Systems Engineer, Emeritus
Dr. Michio Kaku Temporal Experiment
Station (MiK-TES #1)
Unidress: jesse@miktes.research
Mogadishu, Somalia, United States of Africa, Earth
UNIZIP: 03-02-85250-8371
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