Confidence
There are many markings of the holiday season, the placing of wreaths, the first snowfall (due here tomorrow) and for those who have the distinct pleasure of living in the DC area, the first caroling of the Singing Korean Man. Today as I rode back from Metro Center, he sang O Come All Ye Faithful in his beautiful sonorous tenor voice, and I found myself humming along as I got off at McPherson Square.
He shares his seasonal joy with all who are within earshot, knowing full well that doing so may get him booted from the Metro, and if the French Fry Incident is telling, possibly arrested. But he does it anyway. And no one objects. Some give sidelong glances at each other, wondering if we should be acknowledging our faiths in the midst of a not-so-crowded Metro car at lunchtime.
I love the fact that he has every right to do it. That in some countries, he could be shot for singing that song, but not here. Here we enjoy the freedom of speech, speech that you can be held accountable for, but that you have the right to use. There are too many people in this world without that power. I think that's all I really want for Christmas.
Comments:
It's already snowing at my house in Fredericksburg. It's not sticking.
Posted by Chris on December 4, 2003 — 4:20 PM