The Blazers are only in pre-season and I'm still battling the flu so Lily and I watched another movie, The Soloist. I always prefer true-life dramas or movies based on a true story. In this case the actors are still alive and though their situations have not changed, their friendship continues to transforms both of their lives in meaningful ways. That is what makes this a great movie.
Nathaniel Ayers is a brilliant street musician who suffers from schizophrenia. He once attended Julliard. "Located at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Juilliard School is one of the world's most prestigious performing arts conservatories." Steve Lopez is a very human newspaper reporter who wants to know why such talent is on the street. It is a compelling movie about the power of relationships and also a reminder, seeing the homeless, that as wealth accumulates poverty spreads. At the end of the movie is a startling statistic. I find it difficult to believe that all of the 90,000 homeless people on the streets of Los Angeles are the authors of their own poverty. If you believe that, you have to believe in your own virtue.
Jesus said the poor will always be with us. Is that because the poor are content to be poor? Is it because wealth and power breed entitlement? Our biggest concerns are whether or not Beaverton will get a new ballpark, more property for the zoo and what can be done to make the Portland Rose Garden more profitable. After all, we will always have the poor.
Hand outs are no substitute for purpose. The unemployed don't need a perpetual unemployment check, they want a job. In the book of Ruth the Old Testament presents an excellent example of this when the poor are allowed to glean the fields. Many churches and other organizations give generously, but there is no self-esteem in a hand out, except maybe for the party giving the handout. If helping the other person is the goal then find them a job.
Don't you think most of us need to feel useful, want to participate and even contribute? "How much will it cost me?" is the immediate response. If sustainability was the goal the over-all costs would be less than the costs that are rising now. Of course there is the matter of who will pay the costs. The answer to that question comes when your tech help person speaks to you from another country. When the Bible talks about dying daily does it mean everyone but me?
Most of us are pretty well off so movies that show the reality of life can be difficult to watch. Poverty is growing faster than the world's population, but the top fraction of one percent is making more money than ever before. Regular folks are suffering during these tough economic times, while bonuses are paid whether a good job was done or not.
On the News tonight they said there are six people trying for every job. How many jobs would be created if those at the top were willing to reduce their profit margins just a little? For every job that could exist, but doesn't, 'Cui bono.' Someone profits from fewer jobs. That is why companies and jobs leave America. Follow the money and you will hear a plethora of changing reasons why this or that was necessary, but forget trying to pry the money from their fists. Shouldn't there be jobs where people are willing to work? Doesn't that make more sense than saving the carnivores? I know, I know, our world needs the carnivores. Cui bono.
We all need purpose. Maybe part of our purpose is giving purpose to someone else. As the relationship between Mr. Ayers and Mr. Lopez poignantly reveals, we can all help one another. In the process Mr. Lopez and many others have fuller lives because of their relationship with Mr. Ayers.
In The Soloist it is the x-wife of Steve Lopez who finally makes him realize he cannot prevent earthquakes, or fix his friend. Not being able to fix someone's problems does not make you a failure, but not trying to do something to help them certainly does. There are times when the effort is what is most important. There are times when a friend can be more important than your unfortunate circumstance or situation. There are times, as in the unlikely but beautiful friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers, that friendship is everything. Perspectives born out of pain and sorrow can sometimes yield a more meaningful explanation of life.
Lily provided me with a link to the real characters of this movie. I am especially touched by the musicians who relate to Mr. Ayers through his gift and passion for music.
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