My parents were part of a strict Protestant
sect in a rural town in the Midwest. Our town's population was about
450, including farm families. There were four churches of different
denominations, and most of them were also strict.
No movies, no dancing, eating where liquor was served, basically the choices for a date was also strict.
Not
only was it a strict place, but a white bread place. I had never seen a
person of different color, race, faith until I was in college. The
world was opened up, somewhat scary and always exciting. South Pacific was much the same, but heartbreaking in conflict of WW2, meeting indigent peoples. Respect?
West Side Story, we have seen it in many stage plays. The social, political, and people of that era says so much the 50s didn't say.
South Pacific stage play
West Side Story
What
I watched and understood as a teenager morphed as I became an adult.
Great musical, great actors and voice! Great messages, if you look for
them.
And now, as the 21st century is rolling down the tracks, we still have to look at the world around us and see the horrific things done to humans, some in the name of education and others in the way of ignorance, some to hurt on purpose and others to get even.
Being strict means paying attention to choices made and seeing how they affect me, my life, my beliefs, and ultimately my life.
How does this sound to you?
