Single-Story confession

The following is an article that appeared in Brian McClarens blog site as a reader responded to his new book, A New Kind of Christianity

I'm sure that you're seen this link or watched this already (I'm sure somebody has posted it to you) about Chimamanda Adichie's talk on the danger of the single story... see:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

It's an excellent perspective - and she talks a lot about Africa's "single story" in the eyes of the Western world... but I have to shamefully admit that I have also had a "single story" about the issues of Palestine... and reading your most recent posts (and clicking on the links too) has made me realise (even more) the extent
of my ignorance.

On the one hand, I abhor war and violence... and can't stand the fighting that's going on between Israel and Palestine... but I have to admit, it had always been "sold" to me - and particularly when I lived in America and worked in Ohio at a church (as a worship leader)...that Palestinians were evil and that America had some kind of God-given mandate to defend, protect and fight against the Palestinians on behalf of the jews. I was quoted numerous scriptures of how America was blessed because it 'was on the side of God's people - on the side of Israel'... and they believed that America would, in a sense, be cursed if they ever 'aligned themselves with the enemy' (being the devil - but also the Palestinians... or Muslims in general).

Cycling in San Francisco

So I went for a bike ride while in the City, it seemed like the trendy thing to do.  I've seen so many adds and pix of people riding in the City and thought I needed to experience some urban jungle riding myself, not to mention I was trying to train for an upcoming dh race.

All I can say is OMG...the people who ride bicylces in SF are clearly a more highly evolved species that I am.  I started off at the Wharf and was freaked out by the amphibious boat that hauls around tourists.  I was riding along the side of the road, between the rail road tracks (another story) and suddenly found myself in the shadow of a boat hull about to suck me under.  I got away from the four wheeled boat in time to then make my way onto the Embarcadero.