Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Where does Prejudice End? I have held this in for many decades. I was raised a progressive Protestant (I am now, as you may have read, a Humanist), In Newton Massachusetts as a Congregationalist, A church resulting from the competition with the Prebyterians Where the 'Congregation' regulates and governs itself. I rang the huge church bell for services (now automated !); I led the young people's group to reach out to others-- We shared meetings with both Catholics and Jews. (I now realize that Muslims were not at all present then in my life.) I was a tolerant, open-minded young person. I played music (see previous poems) in school orchestras And met many other young musicians. I was in a jazz band led by a Catholic trumpet player. Because of his 'loudness' (like Mozart who detested the trumpet), I moved to another trio with a Jewish leader. When the trumpet player asked, 'Why did you go to 'that group'?', I answered, 'Because they are better musicians.' I was open and accepting of people who came into my life' In High School, I became good friends With Eddy Fineberg, a French Horn player. I had a 'tour' with him through his kitchen, Where he explained that if I ever came to dinner, (to which, I was never invited), I could not eat off his 'Kosher cutlery'. Later, when I was talking with his intellectual sister, His mother cleared everyone out and began to admonish me That I was not to interact with her daughter again, Because my 'people' (ancestors) had ravaged Jerusalem And contributed to the Jewish downfall-- I was personally thunderstruck and devastated. (On the one hand, I understand just what was going on, But on the other, as a young person, it was difficult To bare the pain and the feeling of near betrayal.) Fifty years later while chatting at a High School reunion, Another fellow student said he had gone through the same situation. I have lived knowing an Armenian High School girlfriend, The people of whom had suffered in their own genocide. My first playmate was a black first grader, in an all-white school-- His name I even remember--Billy Meritt. I have lived with Blacks where I taught in Southern Africa. I have taught with the last of the Constantinople Greeks in Turkey. I have worked in the Civil Rights Movement. I have also realized that ALL groups have their prejudices. In that light I try always to remain open. I have realized too, that some groups Get more 'publicity' than so many others. We should all feel the guilt for our subconscious dislikes And realize that every group, with very few exceptions, No matter what seems evident, Has just as many prejudices as any other. I believe this is why our beautiful blue planet Is so very divided (with its human populations) amongst itself. Frank Maurer 30 January 2024 2330 Hours.