Yesterday morning I played a great Motown CD for the cardio portion of my first class of the day. This is a class I have been teaching for almost 3 decades, to a very cohesive group in which some of the participants have been a part of for almost as long. As we made our transition at the half way mark, to peaceful mat-work, I (tried) to make a 2 minute comment about the last song we worked out to, which was Ball of Confusion, by the Temptations. If you know the words (or if you don't) this song is NOT a political statement, it is actually pretty much the opposite. It's basic message is that the world is a ball of confusion with "taxes at an all time high" and "people all over the world shouting end the war", and the ongoing message is that the "beat goes on," and THAT was the message I was trying to share. That regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election, we will come into the gym and still be OK...that the beat WILL go on. I say I "tried" to share this message because I was totally blown away (as were the class members) when someone from a treadmill began to heckle me by screaming (literally) over my voice, and calling me a (something or other) liberal. It was a horribly uncomfortable couple of moments that stayed with me for a couple of hours. Sharing my political views at work, on this site or on social networks like FaceBook is something I go out of my way to NOT do and what I was trying to say yesterday was simply that the issues we are dealing with before this election are really no different than they were almost 50 years ago. Yes, I am a pacifist and I never have a problem saying that in any venue. I believe in peace and I work hard at keeping my life peaceful as well as doing whatever I can to bring peace to those around me, certainly those that come to attend my classes. For those that were at class, I need you to know the incident has been dealt with.
Since the lyrics are so timely now, even as they were when written in 1970, let me include them in this entry (sorry, they are small)...and remember, that no matter which team YOU are on, the beat will definitely go on.
The lyrics of Ball of Confusion are timeless and will forever be a statement for the world.......whether is was 30 ago, today or 30 years in the future. I was not at the gym to witness the situation that you shared with us, but my heart definitely goes out to you. It is a shame that some people truly do not respect others....in any way be it politically, emotionally, spiritually, and so on. The "beat goes on" but some individuals step to a totally different tune.
J
Judith Amberson
I was there and you don't know how much I wanted to go over to that person and tell him how rude he was for shouting like he did. If he had a different opinon he should have kept it to himself. There was no need to express his views the way he did. He just showed us what a jerk he really was. Besides that you weren't talking to him, you were adressing the class.
More reason for Ron to put up some kind of partition between the aerobics room and the treadmill area!
E
ellyn
you go Bonni! so proud of you, sad to hear of that experience, but you are a better person.....life is a ball of confusion, that person proved it after all.
xoxox
ellyn
3 comments
Rita
The lyrics of Ball of Confusion are timeless and will forever be a statement for the world.......whether is was 30 ago, today or 30 years in the future. I was not at the gym to witness the situation that you shared with us, but my heart definitely goes out to you. It is a shame that some people truly do not respect others....in any way be it politically, emotionally, spiritually, and so on. The "beat goes on" but some individuals step to a totally different tune.
Judith Amberson
I was there and you don't know how much I wanted to go over to that person and tell him how rude he was for shouting like he did. If he had a different opinon he should have kept it to himself. There was no need to express his views the way he did. He just showed us what a jerk he really was. Besides that you weren't talking to him, you were adressing the class. More reason for Ron to put up some kind of partition between the aerobics room and the treadmill area!
ellyn
you go Bonni! so proud of you, sad to hear of that experience, but you are a better person.....life is a ball of confusion, that person proved it after all. xoxox ellyn