Other items in today’s column include:
* The San Diego Union-Tribune opposes recall of Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Campbell
* Toni Atkins, Senate President pro tempore, extolls San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
[Names in boldface type are those of known members of the Jewish community]
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Before I write anything else, let me wish all our readers the happiest of New Years. Let us leave the woes of 2020 far behind and leap into a year of optimism, unity, and good feelings for all.
Along that line, congratulations are due to Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, who announced the wording of his country’s National Anthem has been changed to be more inclusive of Australia’s indigenous people, who were on the continent thousands of years before the British colonial era began.
Previously, according to a New York Times story carried by The San Diego Union-Tribune, the anthem began “Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free.” (Emphasis added). With the one-word change, the anthem will henceforth begin ” … for we are one and free.”
I believe that Israel should similarly consider making changes to its National Anthem, “Hatikvah,” meaning “The Hope” so that all its citizens — Jews, Samaritans, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Baha’i, and every other religious minority — can feel included. Translated from the Hebrew, here are the lyrics of HaTikvah. Imagine while reading it that you are not Jewish, but are a citizen of Israel. How would you feel singing it?
As long as within our hearts
The Jewish soul sings,
As long as forward to the East
To Zion, looks the eye –Our hope is not yet lost,
It is two thousand years old,
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Without negating our fierce Jewish love for Israel, can’t lyrics be written that will also acknowledge the love that all Israeli citizens feel for their homeland?
And while we are on the subject of National Anthems, if it were ever put to a vote, I’d willingly replace “The Star Spangled Banner” with “America the Beautiful.” It’s easier to sing and it’s more inclusive.
O Beautiful
For Spacious Skies
For Amber Waves of Grain
For Purple Mountains’ Majesty
Above the Fruited Plains
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown Thy good
With brotherhood!
From sea to shining sea!
Some might want to change “brotherhood” to “peoplehood,” and secularists may want to change “God shed His grace on thee” to “May fate bring grace to thee,” but either way, it still would be a whole lot easier to sing at ball games! May we all get to attend them in person soon!
*
The San Diego Union-Tribune opposes recall of Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Campbell
Having served as a politics writer for The San Diego Union from 1972 through 1980, I have remained a devoted reader ever since, although today I also supplement my daily reading with forays into Times of San Diego, East County Magazine, The Moderate Voice, and The Voice of San Diego, all of which are locally based.
Today, the Union-Tribune (as it has been known since the merger of the Union and the Tribune) editorialized against a budding recall campaign against San Diego City Council President Dr. Jennifer Campbell, pointing out that “given the time it takes to collect signatures, a recall election likely wouldn’t happen until late 2021 when her re-election campaign would be in full swing. If she disappoints, vote her out in the 2022 election.”
The Union-Tribune took note that some opponents were upset with Campbell because she didn’t oppose all short-term rentals, but instead tried to limit the number, while others believe Monica Montgomery-Steppe was more deserving of being appointed by their colleagues as City Council President. Other opponents consider Campbell a too willing ally of business and organized labor interests. However, said the editorial, “The notion of recalling her because critics think she is unfit is undemocratic.”
Something tells me that the Union-Tribune will receive many letters to the editor in disagreement, perhaps including one from former City Councilmember Barbara Bry, who has been very vocal on the subject.
*
Toni Atkins, Senate President pro tempore, extolls San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
In a year beginning report to constituents, State Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) noted “It was my honor to participate in San Diego’s virtual inauguration on December 11, 2020 to swear in my friend and former colleague, Mayor Todd Gloria. From humble beginnings to becoming the first person of color and first openly LGBTQ mayor of our fine city, Mayor Gloria is an inspiration to all who have been marginalized and overlooked.”
Herself a member of the LGBTQ community, Atkins went on to say that Gloria “is a beacon of hope for those who have long yearned to see themselves reflected in leadership.” Clearly, she is also such a beacon.
*
Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
Before anyone rushes to endorse the Australian liberal /National party coalition Government over the small change to the National Anthem you need a little history.
In 1981 when I returned home via Bangkok and Perth WA to New Zealand, my wife to be and I went to a Perth city hotel to meet some of her friends and family. Two Aboriginals walked up to the bar. They waited to be served and waited and waited. Nearly 10 minutes went by and I and a fellow Kiwi went up to the bar to get a new drink. We stood beside the Aboriginals and the bar man came to ask what we wanted to drink, a refill or something else. By this time my Aussie fiancee had joined us. We suggested that barman serve the Native people from his country who had been waiting much longer than us.
The place went silent when I said that. The Aboriginals were served before us. I pointed out to the Barman that served us that my Kiwi friend was a Maori. Such an incident has not happened here in New Zealand in my life time of 68 years. Just one of many stories I can tell about Australia. It’s only a few decades ago I think, (less than 5) that the vote was given to the Aboriginals.
Some of you may know of the charity called Mission Aviation Fellowship. Founded by WW2 pilots from the RNZAF and RAF. Its main job is to airlift medical and educational aid and people around third-world countries. In Haiti after the big earthquake, more than a decade ago MAF was the first organization to go in with airlift capacity and the first to bring in a communications system which was the only way to get messages in and out until a US Navy aircraft carrier arrived and took over the communications role. MAF continued to fly in people and supplies to areas landing small aircraft on what was left of rural roads. In Bangladesh they have a seaplane that flies up and down the Ganges river system moving doctors, medics and Medicines to hospitals where they are needed on hospital ships and land facilities. They operate aircraft in third world countries moving doctors, Air Ambulance services and teachers amongst other services in third World Countries in Africa and places such as Papua New Guinea and Australia.
That’s right, the third world country of Australia where MAF has about 10 aircraft providing services that Australian Governments both Conservative and Labour party and both state and federal will not provide in Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory helping the Native people in the outback…. Kiwis know Australia has along way to go to equal us when it comes to Maori and Aboriginal affairs and standards. We are not perfect in New Zealand either. Our first National Anthem was God save the Queen. (The UK National Anthem) About 50 years ago we changed it to God defend New Zealand. We sing each verse of it in Maori and then English. So don’t rush to flatter the Aussies with compliments about changing one word in there Anthem.
Written from Down Under
I think it would be easy to take the anthems thing too far. Let’s take the Canadian anthem.
Oh, Canada, our home and native land.
“Native land” is insensitive to the many immigrants who were born outside of Canada, then became naturalized residents and citizens.
True patriot love in all our sons command.
Can you really “command patriot love”? Shouldn’t that be a free choice and matter of personal conscience? And why only “sons”? That term excludes daughters, not to mention trans and non-binary folx.
With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free
Oh, they’re the “True North”? Does that make Alaska and Siberia “false norths”? Are they braving those severe winters for nothing? That’s a slap in the face.
We can spend our time parsing words and demanding cosmetic changes, incurring the ire of traditionalists who insist we not fix what ain’t broke. Or we can do the hard work of teaching empathy and inclusivity to new generations. Such efforts will never reach everyone, but with sustained effort, we can make an ethos of compassion the new norm.
Jen Campbell has failed to work with District 2 community groups. Her position on the 30 foot height limit is contrary to the majority of those living in the district. She has shown that she is controlled by special interests and she is unresponsive to those she is supposed to represent. I disagree that she should be allowed to stay in office for the rest of her term. She should be recalled, along with other politicians that are failing to work for the taxpayer.