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From: "Carolyn McDaniel" <>
Subject: [AMXROADS] Re Circles of Kinship and Community
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 18:17:29 -0800


Dear Friend W W, and Cousins,
I presented Wendell Berry's biography and writings because I
believe they are inspiring and link us to distant homelands of our
ancestors, particularly mine. I have never felt like emulating his
personal choices to retain the privy, nor the lifestyle of those who
lived in the early 1800's in Henry County, KY. My ancestors rode on;
his didn't. It was a choice then, as now.
What I do love is Wendell Berry's refusal to bend to
technology, even though I do not. Because my work is in an area
which is enhanced by technology, i.e., computer and internet usage
in the research field, I love and appreciate my computer! I would
never have traced the Smiths in Henry county (who founded Smithfield)
had I not had such technology. Wendell Berry's life is different, and
I admire its difference even though I do not embrace the land, its
peace
and comfort, in the manner he does. We each have to find our own
path, which I think is what Mr. Berry has done with great eloquence,
as I said, in his work and in his life. I believe that is
integrity -- knowing
oneself and remaining true to that core of self-knowledge. I suggest
also, Dear Friend WW, that is how you've also lived your life, from
what I've come to know about you.
In addition to greatly admiring Mr. Berry's writing, I find
his insistence on purity of purpose admirable,
just as I admire the Quakers and Bretheren who simply refuse to
participate in war and war-making. Although I do not carry my
pacificism to the same extreme edges that they do, I respect their
views. However, I think I am more like the "Fighting Quakers," in the
Revolutionary War! One of of those fighting was Daniel Pennington, a
life-long Quaker, whose family came to Philadelphia in the early
1700's.
After years of persecution for their pacifistic views on both
sides of the Atlantic, the Quakers were once again intensely tormented
for holding to their beliefs during the Revolutionary War period. As
you may remember, some were hauled out of their beautiful Philadelphia
homes (by their neighbors) and interred near Winchester, Virginia.
One of these was another Quaker, Edward Pennington, who was not of the
same family as Daniel Pennington. (At least on this side of the
Atlantic.) Our Cousin, Jim of Connecticut, descends from this family.
Our
Cousins Marilyn and Mary are also Quaker descendants.
Two of the Philadelphia Quakers died in Virginia, never seeing
their families and homes again. General Washington, when asked about
more reprisals against the Quakers, instructed: "Leave them alone.
They
do nothing to help us, but they do nothing to help our enemies
either."
After he was released, Edward Pennington returned to
Philadelphia and
berated the council in the most scathing, although gentlemanly terms,
asking how those who had stood beside him in those chambers could have
behaved toward him as they did. They had lost their integrity in
their patriotic fervor.
We have many lessons to learn from history, as well as from
our fellow human beings, whatever their time frame. The trick I
think, is to learn where our own integrity lies, rather than
disputing the motives of others. Writers, and artists of every
variety paint a view of the world that is their own unique
interpretation. Through seeing, reading, and assessing -- and yes,
questioning! --
the varied interpretations of others, we come to greater clarity about
our own
moral core, even if it differs from theirs. Therefore, WW, your
message is greatly appreciated. I had hoped to stir a debate with
this! Everybody benefits by expressing our views. We simply need
to remember to attack ideas, not persons! (You did not do this, and I
appreciate that, too.)
One thing we definitely know: If we lose touch with our
heritage, or are deprived of it, we lose what is most meaningful to
the lifelong process of creating our identity/soul, and thereby lose
contact with what is most integral to our own individual lives.
Native Americans and African Americans have suffered this kind of loss
through the actions of our ancestors. In our own generation (mine, at
least!) we have interred (Japanese) American citizens, just as the
Quakers and Native Americans were persecuted and interred in the past.
Franklin Roosevelt, whom I believe was among our most outstanding
Presidents, greatly erred in interring Japanese American citizens.
Roosevelt (and the rest of the world) also erred in not recognizing
the evil that became known as the Holocaust. We are in another
hideously critical time in our national life, which once again will
test our
ideals, and our integrity. We need to be vigilant against foreign
attack, as well maintaining our vigilance about who we are as
individuals and as a nation. Discussions like these help put things
in perspective.

Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn
Carolyn McDaniel
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