The Truth About Safe Spaces

      The Upper Room as been a morning tradition with me since about 2001, I picked up the habit from my Grandad. Both he and his sister, my Grand Aunt Myrtle started their day with that devotional. This year, the theme for the Advent season has been "safe spaces", which gave me pause for thought.

     Psalm 91 describes the LORD as a refuge, a place of safety. As a born again Holy Spirit filled Bible believeing Christian, I take him as my safe space. When I was a young boy, when I wanted to feel safe, I relied on my Grandma Bergit-but then she died, there was no place of safety for me.

     Safety is becoming a basic human need, along with food, clothing and shelter. Security in an insecure world has become so sought after that some would give up their God given freedom  for a safe secure feeling, even if it is a false sense. I've heard that in some colleges and universities that students are supplied with "safe spaces" where they can go when triggered by an unsafe feeling. Trained counselors listen to concerns, give hugs when requested, they even supply the student with adult coloring books. Of course if it works more power to them. I'm taking the promise of Psalm 91 in my heart. May you find your own safe space in your own way and in your own time. God be with you and do the best you can! 

2022 Person of the Year

      As it has usually been my custom when I was an active Blogger, around this time of the year, I reflect back on the past year and choose that one person who made the last 12 months memorable for Holabird. This year marks the 20th time I've done such, and to be honest I don't even remember who all of the previous 19 are, so this year's honoree should not get a swelled head. I doubt she will, as she has quite a level head. Oh yes-I should get around to telling you who it is, and why she has been given this honor, If you can call it that!

     Now, this year's Holabird Advocate Media Person of the year is Ana Nemec! Why? Well it all started at a Super Bowl party. Ana and a couple of her friends came up with the idea for a podcast. From what I've been able to figure out, a podcast is pretty much just an audio only YouTube video. 

     At any rate, the name of the podcast is South Dakota Uncloseted. Ana and her friends (I forgot their names, sorry guys) have through this podcast have given gay people in South Dakota a voice. They have also managed to entertain and educate some straight people, like myself, as to just how difficult it is to live as a gay person in a red state. As such our Governor and republicans in general get mean-mouthed something awful (nothing I haven't heard or said before). They also give religion a hard time, and while I'd welcome gay people at Downtown Second to worship with me, not everyone there is as open to it as I am.

     Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that, while having the chance to watch Ana grow up, having her and her sisters ask me questions like "What has ears and can't hear", and reading her first foray into Blogging I have admired Ana's way of expressing herself. It is possible that those experiences help me come to this, but the fact remains that Ana has not only made life in Holabird memorable this year, she has done the same for the entire state, and it's possible that her podcast might inspire other people outside South Dakota to do the same.

     Every time  I listened to her podcast, I'd learn something new. I did wonder what would happen when Ana and her friends ran out of gay people to talk to, but even though the podcast is on hiatus they have plans to continue, and I can't wait to hear what they come up with, because I know it will be awesome! God be with you and do the best you can!