I Am The Rainbow

[Jeanne]

I am the rainbow.

I am the calm that follows after the storm.

My reflection in the new sun brings rays of love for everyone.

 

There is a color for all of us.

The hues brings a different shade for every color

and speaks to the beauty of the shade

we pick for ourselves.

 

I am the rainbow. 

I can color all of you before you paint a color

for someone else.

.

 

There is truth in my rainbow;

That the storm has weathered an idea that we

are painted the same.

 

Where peace follows..and

acceptance of who we are

doesn't matter because we are

colored in love.

 

Ii

[Tacenda]

Jeanne, this is a beautiful poem, you can come up with a poem that fast, you poet you!  

Like your poem, there is a message here too!  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow's" full lyrics:

Lyrics

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?

Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue
And I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Singing, "How do you do?"
They're really singing, "I, I love you."

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why oh, why can't I?

 

 

[Jeanne]

Over The Rainbow...

My family song.  Thank you.  We have used this song in funerals for the very young who have died in our family.  I will always love this song..!

[The Nehor]

You are Skittles?

[Jeanne]

4 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

You are Skittles?

???????

Edited June 6, 2016 by Jeanne

[The Nehor]

Just now, Jeanne said:

???????

Skittles: Taste the Rainbow. Was an ad campaign.

 

 

Well, if that fell flat......

 

 

 

 

[Jeanne]

1 minute ago, The Nehor said:

Skittles: Taste the Rainbow. Was an ad campaign.

 

 

Well, if that fell flat......

 

 

 

 

Oh duh...I didn't know that.  I like Skittles ..yes I do..I like Skittles how bout' You? 

I thought you were asking me if I was gay..

 

[Storm Rider]

I really have a hard enough time being human that the thought of having to be something else is just a too much.  I don't want to wear rose colored glasses because I really value seeing things as they are.  I also want to have/retain the vision of the way things could be when I follow God's commands.  

Lastly, I am so many more things than my sexual preference.  I cannot imagine living a life that is first and foremost defined my that simple thing.  

[Jeanne]

43 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

I really have a hard enough time being human that the thought of having to be something else is just a too much.  I don't want to wear rose colored glasses because I really value seeing things as they are.  I also want to have/retain the vision of the way things could be when I follow God's commands.  

Lastly, I am so many more things than my sexual preference.  I cannot imagine living a life that is first and foremost defined my that simple thing.  

okay.  What does this have to do with my poem?  Gees, was it that bad? My poem was to make the rainbow for all of us..not just a symbol for LGBT but for all of us..a symbol of beauty that in light of all the colors.we are the same.

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by Jeanne

[Storm Rider]

2 hours ago, Jeanne said:

okay.  What does this have to do with my poem?  Gees, was it that bad? My poem was to make the rainbow for all of us..not just a symbol for LGBT but for all of us..a symbol of beauty that in light of all the colors.we are the same.

 

Jeanne, you have become too serious.  It was my poor attempt, obviously, at levity. 

As an aside, it is really difficult to co-opt a symbol once it has become so ingrained.  The rainbow is firmly within the control of all things gay.  A good thing is that it is better than the pink triangle.  I never liked that symbol; I suspected it was an attempt to build off of the German symbol for Jews during WWII.  

[Jeanne]

47 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

Jeanne, you have become too serious.  It was my poor attempt, obviously, at levity. 

As an aside, it is really difficult to co-opt a symbol once it has become so ingrained.  The rainbow is firmly within the control of all things gay.  A good thing is that it is better than the pink triangle.  I never liked that symbol; I suspected it was an attempt to build off of the German symbol for Jews during WWII.  

So sorry if I misunderstood...I need to take a crash course on "lighten up",

[The Nehor]

51 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

Jeanne, you have become too serious.  It was my poor attempt, obviously, at levity. 

As an aside, it is really difficult to co-opt a symbol once it has become so ingrained.  The rainbow is firmly within the control of all things gay.  A good thing is that it is better than the pink triangle.  I never liked that symbol; I suspected it was an attempt to build off of the German symbol for Jews during WWII.  

It is no build off. They came by it fairly. Homosexuals went into the camps in Nazi Germany and a pink triangle was put on their prison clothing to identify them.

[Jeanne]

6 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

It is no build off. They came by it fairly. Homosexuals went into the camps in Nazi Germany and a pink triangle was put on their prison clothing to identify them.

Thanks for explaining what the triangle was about.  I didn't know this. 

[Storm Rider]

8 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

It is no build off. They came by it fairly. Homosexuals went into the camps in Nazi Germany and a pink triangle was put on their prison clothing to identify them.

No that you say that something in the back of my mind is twisting about, a faint memory.  As I have gotten older I get this occasionally.  I think that I have gotten to the age where I have forgotten more than I currently know.  Of course, it could just be lice or some other bodily vermin moving on the back of my scalp. There is supposed to be a shampoo to cure that affliction, but I wonder if there is something for brain matter than is so twisted up it cannot think straight or remember.

Jeanne, that is another attempt at levity, dear.  That sounds like Mrs. Doubtfire, doesn't it.  I am so grateful my teeth don't fall out because they are stuck in my head.   

[Jeanne]

4 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

No that you say that something in the back of my mind is twisting about, a faint memory.  As I have gotten older I get this occasionally.  I think that I have gotten to the age where I have forgotten more than I currently know.  Of course, it could just be lice or some other bodily vermin moving on the back of my scalp. There is supposed to be a shampoo to cure that affliction, but I wonder if there is something for brain matter than is so twisted up it cannot think straight or remember.

Jeanne, that is another attempt at levity, dear.  That sounds like Mrs. Doubtfire, doesn't it.  I am so grateful my teeth don't fall out because they are stuck in my head.   

Okay..This post is hilarious!

[Daniel2]

15 hours ago, Storm Rider said:

Lastly, I am so many more things than my sexual preference.  I cannot imagine living a life that is first and foremost defined my that simple thing.  

Hey, Storm...

I can relate to being defined as MANY more things than my sexual preference.  I don't think most gays and lesbians define themselves by that simple thing either...

That being said, if you had to prioritize them, what are the top five things/words/descriptors that you feel DO define you?

[Daniel2]

12 hours ago, Storm Rider said:

Jeanne, you have become too serious.  It was my poor attempt, obviously, at levity. 

As an aside, it is really difficult to co-opt a symbol once it has become so ingrained.  The rainbow is firmly within the control of all things gay.  A good thing is that it is better than the pink triangle.  I never liked that symbol; I suspected it was an attempt to build off of the German symbol for Jews during WWII.  

Hm.  I missed the "attempt at levity," too.  Perhaps the Mods can move this out of the Social Forum, since it's becoming move of a discussion more suited to the General Discussion forum?

Yes, the pink triangle was a symbol the Nazi's created to identify homosexuals in concentration camps.  Hardly a symbol to be proud of.

For those that missed it, I posted this in another thread:

One of my ALL time favorite Rainbow parables--NOT created by the LGBT movement, but by Canada, in the 1980's as a program for their school system to learn about respect for diversity and alternate viewpoints, is an eighteen minute film called "Rainbow War."  Here's IMDB's summary:

Quote

Three kingdoms, floating separately in space, can each see the other nearby kingdoms but have no means to communicate or visit. Each has developed a fanatical obsession for a specific color for clothing, architecture, and even plant life: one blue, one red, one golden. A forbidden inter-kingdom romance and a war of conquest ensues when a means of travel between the kingdoms is abruptly found.

I recently rediscovered it by ordering it online... and only recently have I found it on YouTube.  It's a dub-over, but there's only dialogue in the first couple of minutes of the film.  The rest of the story is told through acting, visuals, and music.

The message is powerful.  And, in fact, speaks directly to the heart of many issues being discussed here...  I would encourage everyone to watch it and share your views, regardless of the diversity of thought we're likely to encounter!

Here’s the first few minutes of narration (which, in the YouTube video, are dubbed over into a foreign language):

Quote

Once upon a time, in a timeless place, there were Three Kingdoms…

One Blue,

One Red, and

One Gold. 

In the Blue Kingdom, everything was Blue.  Because Blue was beautiful! And besides, anyone who was anyone looooved Blue!

In the Red Kingdom, everything was Red.  Because they trusted Red.  But they were afraid of everything else.

The Golden Kingdom was dominated by Yellow.  Other colors were eliminated on sight!  Blue and Red were censored—covered up!  Thus, Yellow reigned Supreme!

But it didn’t really matter that they didn’t like each other, because travel between the Kingdoms was impossible, so they never came into contact…

In isolation, each Kingdom taught their young what to like and dislike... You see, other ideas were discouraged. 

That couldn’t last forever.  In time, came a new Idea—a moving New Idea, and the world would never be the same…

Quote

 

I posted the above as an attempt to start a dialogue as a great illustration of some of the values of WHY the rainbow, in particular, was chosen by the LGBT community.  The video itself wasn't created by or for the LGBT community.  It was created by the Canadian educational system to encourage tolerance, dialogue, respect, and an appreciation of the beautiful serendipitous new discoveries (the 'new', secondary colors of orange, purple, and green) that result when orthodox groups (as represented by the 'primary' colors of red, yellow, and blue) unexpectedly intersect with each other, and because of those intersections--even when they may be hostile or a clashing of sorts--end up generating new ideas and discoveries, combining a portion from each, to learn from one another and create unexpected synergy.  I LOVE the that symbolism... that when different 'primary' colors mix, we discover new appreciation for and previously unrealized richness and color in a world reflecting the diversity and beauty of people, ideas, creativity and creation from all...

I highly recommend you watch the video when you have a spare 18 minutes... It's surprising, uplifting, and just may make you smile, tear up, and think about how we may value those that are different from our selves.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Daniel2

[Tacenda]

Daniel2, I seriously want to post this movie on FB! It's excellent!

[Daniel2]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

Daniel2, I seriously want to post this movie on FB! It's excellent!

Haha... I just posted it with the typed intro on FB, as well... Feel free to share!

I REALLY love it, as well... I've watched and re-watched it several times.  I love the creativity, the music is amazing, the humor... but every time I re-watch it, I gain some additional insight. 

For example, even though all three kingdoms thought their color was 'supreme,' each had a slightly different take... The Blue King, obviously motivated by appearance, thought his color was 'most beautiful,' and initially couldn't conceive how anyone could ever consider another color to be as preferable as his is... His offering of the various blue artifacts to the Yellow Queen makes me chuckle each time.  A classic example of how one culture is completely oblivious to the values and preferences of another, with whom they are unfamiliar. 

The Yellow Queen is obviously bend on domination and power, and is uncompromising in her orthodoxy that Yellow is Supreme...  It isn't until she removes her "Yellow-colored Visor" that she realizes the beauty of the various flowers and butterflies around her.  Perhaps she had retreated into the safety of Yellow because of past hurt or trauma...?  I'd love to know her backtstory...

And the Red Leader obviously finds safety and comfort in Red, and is suspicious of any other color, as shown by the blue flower growing in the garden which is quickly snuffed out.  How many of us are motivated by concern of the unknown, and a desire to protect ourselves and our families from that which we perceive to be a threat...?

The concept of "white-washing" takes on new life as... well, "Yellow-washing," or "Blue-washing"... A direct symbol for attempting to 're-paint' the world in the image we see fit... Whether by conquest and dominance or persuasion and evangelism or a myriad of other ways we all try to advance our world view...

EDITED to ADD:  [Slight Spoiler Alert...] I also love how all the ideologies all seem SO important, until an actual physical threat to harm emerges, and how, in the face of danger and potential tragedy, differences are set aside as they come together to help and assist... a testament to the beauty and power of working together despite differences..

Glad you like it.  Was there any thoughts about it in particular you'd like to share?

2nd EDIT: BTW, I'm SOOO excited to have just found out it's been re-mastered and restored to it's original widescreen format, and you can purchase copies (I ordered the Blu-ray for $35 plus $5 shipping) by following the links at this website: http://www.pyramidmedia.com/homepage/search-by-title/academy-awards/rainbow-war-detail.html

Here's a trailer of the re-mastered edition--you can see it's a HUGE improvement (picture-wise) over the previous online version (and it's nice to learn that it was nominated for an Academy Award and shown at the World's Fair, back in the 80's, and the film-makers have all been involved in Walt Disney Productions, since...) :

https://youtu.be/_z8KwGMncog

Edited June 7, 2016 by Daniel2

[Storm Rider]

3 hours ago, Daniel2 said:

Hey, Storm...

I can relate to being defined as MANY more things than my sexual preference.  I don't think most gays and lesbians define themselves by that simple thing either...

That being said, if you had to prioritize them, what are the top five things/words/descriptors that you feel DO define you?

Hello Daniel, 

If I was to describe myself, first thoughts, it would be, in no order of priority, as follows:  1)  Air Force brat, 2)  southern man, 3) LDS, 4) traveler, 5) Swede, 6) folliclely challenged, 6)  reader, 7) lover of history, art, - particularly sculpture - and music. 

This list is somewhat misleading and I should mention it lest some may not understand fully:  my maternal grandfather was from Sweden and I claim his heritage, but my paternal ancestors have been in this country since before 1700.  I am more Heinz 57 than an actual Swedish man.  I am Swedish in the sense that I dearly loved my grandfather.

Though our family traveled a lot while I was a child - thus the AF brat designation - when my dad retired we settled in the south near the home in which he grew up.  From junior high through high school I lived in the south.  I remain a lover of Southern rock.

[Daniel2]

14 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

Hello Daniel, 

If I was to describe myself, first thoughts, it would be, in no order of priority, as follows:  1)  Air Force brat, 2)  southern man, 3) LDS, 4) traveler, 5) Swede, 6) folliclely challenged, 6)  reader, 7) lover of history, art, - particularly sculpture - and music. 

This list is somewhat misleading and I should mention it lest some may not understand fully:  my maternal grandfather was from Sweden and I claim his heritage, but my paternal ancestors have been in this country since before 1700.  I am more Heinz 57 than an actual Swedish man.  I am Swedish in the sense that I dearly loved my grandfather.

Though our family traveled a lot while I was a child - thus the AF brat designation - when my dad retired we settled in the south near the home in which he grew up.  From junior high through high school I lived in the south.  I remain a lover of Southern rock.

Cool to learn a little more about you.  Thanks for sharing.  Interestingly enough, although I am likewise an American-bred, Heinze 57 mongrel of various ethnicities, I was raised overseas in Europe, and my now ex-wife is 100% Swedish, so our children are half-Swedish (and have dual US/Swedish citizenship).

I admit, I'm somewhat surprised that a few qualifiers were absent from your 'highest-priority' list, merely because most people I ask that question of typically include several of their identifying roles as it relates to their family in some way... i.e. as a father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, etc. 

Those are in my most important self-identifiers:  namely, my top three would be 1) husband, 1) father & grandfather, 3) son, 4) dog-lover, 5) Disney-lover, 6) lover of the arts (both performing and visual, i.e. painting, sculpture, architecture, theater, film--especially film!--,dance, song), 7) world-traveler (I also grew up as a DoDDS Military Brat...), 8.)Spiritually-minded Secular Humanist, etc.

You'll note that "gay" isn't among them... but my role as 'husband' and 'father & grandfather' are certainly are reflective and dependent upon my sexuality as a core driving force behind the foundation of my relationship with both my husband, and as a father and grandfather to our children.  While neither of us attend Pride parades or it's associated activities, neither of us wear rainbow attire or have very many rainbow symbols around our home, vehicles, etc., we DO wear our wedding bands, display photos of one another, and speak of each other with friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and acquaintances to the same degree as our straight friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and family members speak of their spouses.  So, from that perspective, we define ourselves just as much--or just as little--as anyone else would.

[Storm Rider]

1 hour ago, Daniel2 said:

Cool to learn a little more about you.  Thanks for sharing.  Interestingly enough, although I am likewise an American-bred, Heinze 57 mongrel of various ethnicities, I was raised overseas in Europe, and my now ex-wife is 100% Swedish, so our children are half-Swedish (and have dual US/Swedish citizenship).

I admit, I'm somewhat surprised that a few qualifiers were absent from your 'highest-priority' list, merely because most people I ask that question of typically include several of their identifying roles as it relates to their family in some way... i.e. as a father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, etc. 

Those are in my most important self-identifiers:  namely, my top three would be 1) husband, 1) father & grandfather, 3) son, 4) dog-lover, 5) Disney-lover, 6) lover of the arts (both performing and visual, i.e. painting, sculpture, architecture, theater, film--especially film!--,dance, song), 7) world-traveler (I also grew up as a DoDDS Military Brat...), 8.)Spiritually-minded Secular Humanist, etc.

You'll note that "gay" isn't among them... but my role as 'husband' and 'father & grandfather' are certainly are reflective and dependent upon my sexuality as a core driving force behind the foundation of my relationship with both my husband, and as a father and grandfather to our children.  While neither of us attend Pride parades or it's associated activities, neither of us wear rainbow attire or have very many rainbow symbols around our home, vehicles, etc., we DO wear our wedding bands, display photos of one another, and speak of each other with friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and acquaintances to the same degree as our straight friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and family members speak of their spouses.  So, from that perspective, we define ourselves just as much--or just as little--as anyone else would.

Daniel, I strongly suspect that we would be good friends in real life.  You sound very much like an individual with characteristics that I appreciate and enjoy.  As an aside, I don't see any need for you to not talk about your loved one, husband, significant other, and beloved - doing so is not uncomfortable.

I don't have an explanation for not including my familial relationships and the role they play in my life.  It is possible that is it my brain of Swiss cheese, but it could also be that I am self-centered....or that the context of my thought pattern was more limited.

My folks have long been absent from this world and I have lost the sense of being a son  I fear.  Being a grandfather is one of the great joys of life - and I thought being a dad was very enjoyable.

Your list is also much appreciated  being a dog lover - our dogs died a few years back and we have yet to replace them.  They were two miniature dachshunds; the smaller one followed me everywhere I went and was a great friend.  

I spend so much time doing genealogy that my family tells me that I talk more with dead people than I do the living.  In some respects that may be accurate.  In my younger days I loved being with people and very active doing "things", but now I find greater pleasure in quietude - this includes everything from doing genealogy research, reading a book, to listening to Opera or some great classical music or light jazz.  

Daniel, my personal beliefs are mine.  Though I am a Latter-day Saint I do qualify that statement in that I recognize that I am different from the group.  On this Forum we speak from and discuss from specific positions. This process exaggerates our positions and limits the perspective of others of our true selves.  

Talking about my sexuality is like talking about me being white.  I don't need to do it; none of us do.  We will certainly talk about things that reveal our sexuality, but that is a conclusion to be drawn rather than feeling like we needed to be so blatant.  We don't talk about it because we have accepted it fully and are not compelled to state the obvious.   

[Jeanne]

To Daniel and Storm Rider...both above posts are so cool!  Can we all just get a long now? Really..this gives me goosebumps because what we may all have in common is not often shared here.  Thanks for wonderful example bros!

[rodheadlee]

6 hours ago, Daniel2 said:

..

That being said, if you had to prioritize them, what are the top five things/words/descriptors that you feel DO define you?

Patti, sailboats, the ocean, cats, dolphins. all are supposed to be after God.

[Tacenda]

5 hours ago, Daniel2 said:

Haha... I just posted it with the typed intro on FB, as well... Feel free to share!

I REALLY love it, as well... I've watched and re-watched it several times.  I love the creativity, the music is amazing, the humor... but every time I re-watch it, I gain some additional insight. 

For example, even though all three kingdoms thought their color was 'supreme,' each had a slightly different take... The Blue King, obviously motivated by appearance, thought his color was 'most beautiful,' and initially couldn't conceive how anyone could ever consider another color to be as preferable as his is... His offering of the various blue artifacts to the Yellow Queen makes me chuckle each time.  A classic example of how one culture is completely oblivious to the values and preferences of another, with whom they are unfamiliar. 

The Yellow Queen is obviously bend on domination and power, and is uncompromising in her orthodoxy that Yellow is Supreme...  It isn't until she removes her "Yellow-colored Visor" that she realizes the beauty of the various flowers and butterflies around her.  Perhaps she had retreated into the safety of Yellow because of past hurt or trauma...?  I'd love to know her backtstory...

And the Red Leader obviously finds safety and comfort in Red, and is suspicious of any other color, as shown by the blue flower growing in the garden which is quickly snuffed out.  How many of us are motivated by concern of the unknown, and a desire to protect ourselves and our families from that which we perceive to be a threat...?

The concept of "white-washing" takes on new life as... well, "Yellow-washing," or "Blue-washing"... A direct symbol for attempting to 're-paint' the world in the image we see fit... Whether by conquest and dominance or persuasion and evangelism or a myriad of other ways we all try to advance our world view...

EDITED to ADD:  [Slight Spoiler Alert...] I also love how all the ideologies all seem SO important, until an actual physical threat to harm emerges, and how, in the face of danger and potential tragedy, differences are set aside as they come together to help and assist... a testament to the beauty and power of working together despite differences..

Glad you like it.  Was there any thoughts about it in particular you'd like to share?

2nd EDIT: BTW, I'm SOOO excited to have just found out it's been re-mastered and restored to it's original widescreen format, and you can purchase copies (I ordered the Blu-ray for $35 plus $5 shipping) by following the links at this website: http://www.pyramidmedia.com/homepage/search-by-title/academy-awards/rainbow-war-detail.html

Here's a trailer of the re-mastered edition--you can see it's a HUGE improvement (picture-wise) over the previous online version (and it's nice to learn that it was nominated for an Academy Award and shown at the World's Fair, back in the 80's, and the film-makers have all been involved in Walt Disney Productions, since...) :

https://youtu.be/_z8KwGMncog

I posted it, then chickened out and deleted, maybe I'll get some courage later.

One thing I found interesting is the music score, it sounds a lot like the temple movie in parts.  The visuals were awesome, pouring paint in each other's mouths, funny. They each try to get the other to be like them.  Not unlike the real world, with varying religions and political views. They're trying to squash each other's true colors basically. I like how the colors mixed make a rainbow, and they all like it and come around to accepting their differences.

Here is some commentary from the 1986 Expo.  I love Canadian accents, makes me wonder if Duncan talks like this, and even if he went to this Expo!