In Jesus Name
Intimations on America
At the time I thought it quite telling. The Vatican was cold and dark. Plush with shadows and yet yours could not be seen. In deep corners I imagined whole peoples disappearing in blackness. There was an absence of light except for where history had written (or rewritten) was the highest of art. One had to look towards the heavens of Rome to see what god had ordained as the most beautiful ceiling known to mankind.
A hell of a feat.
At the time I thought it quite telling though it was just a feeling. A place supposedly known for the light of god was an eerily shadowy structure. A fortress without sound as if speech was quelled in lieu of blind submission.
After a short time my sister, who had brought me to Italy, said that she wanted to leave. Her, a pious child of god who went to church every Sunday and gave tithes didn’t like what she felt. I did not question her insides.
Since then it’s been quite obvious to me that there are two Jesuses. One has the hair of wool, dark olive skin and was born in the West Bank. The other is white. A term rarely used outside of America though a term rarely questioned inside of America.
During a past regime the tale of his love was told to slaves. The King’s English impressed upon his children with scriptures and enforced with whips, rape and worse.
Later, another prophet named Jimmy was asked about this historic contradiction of Black people’s love for their Jesus.
In which he profoundly and succinctly answered: We made him ours.
Now the shadows have returned. In his name evil has claimed his righteousness as their own. Propping up a prophet who would have never commiserated with such savagery.
Apparently, their version of Jesus was born under the conglomerate that is the USA, though even the most ignorant of the lot know this to be fiction.
Apparently, their savior abhors Islam, though any real reader knows his name is championed as godly throughout the Koran.
Apparently, their saint believes the straight and narrow road to salvation does not include the immigrant, the gay, the oppressed or any who raises their voice.
In their version Jesus died on their cross, so it is up to them (and only them) to speak his gospel… as they see fit.
While the citizens consider if they are under Marshal Law, the believers have to ponder if the real prince of Nazareth will ever stand up.
What does one do when evil has taken Jesus as a mascot? Do you yell over the claims? Do you convert to another deity? Or are you able to differentiate between the two?
Between the one with the hair of wool and the one who is pulling the wool over your eyes.
And so the question remains.
In which Jesus name does America pray?