Black

Black may be the absence of color; however, it is not the absence of meaning.

Once when I was serving at St. James, Greenfield, IN, a friend appeared from Minnesota. She had only seen me each summer at camp in jeans, t-shirts, no makeup and hair unkempt. At St. James she saw me in a dress and heels. Upon seeing me, she said black is your color. You look great in black. Thinking that she might comment on my hair being styled or having nicer clothes on, I never thought she’d comment on the color black.

A few years ago I remember friends wearing black shirts on Thursdays as part of the global campaign to bring awareness to gender-based violence and rape. These people were inspiring doing what they could where they were by wearing black. I’m sure they did more than that.

Last night my friend Debbie treated me to Johnny Cash’s life story at Beef and Boards. Having loved his songs for many years and the story of his life, it was a wonderful evening; and I learned something. His song “Man in Black” was new to me. I admire him more now as I look up to people who stand up for others. May we all do so in our own way. The lyrics are important and highlight this man’s awareness of others needing attention and trying to make things right. You can read the lyrics here or listen to it and read the lyrics on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbOCwlC1kdE

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black
Why you never see bright colors on my back
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town
I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime
But is there because he's a victim of the times

I wear the black for those who've never read
Or listened to the words that Jesus said
About the road to happiness through love and charity
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back
Up front there ought to be a man in black

I wear it for the sick and lonely old
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men

And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believin' that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred-thousand who have died
Believin' that we all were on their side

Well, there's things that never will be right, I know
And things need changin' everywhere you go
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right
You'll never see me wear a suit of white

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day
And tell the world that everything's okay
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back
'Til things are brighter, I'm the man in black