Heroes of the Fourth Turning

The University of Arkansas November 15-24, 2024

“Religion flourishes in greater purity, without the aid of a government”-James Madison

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

How have we, as a people, let religion build a wall between us? How have we learned to exist with empathy and understanding in the sanctuary, but forget those lessons when we leave?

I grew up in a large, loving, incredible, Catholic family. My parents made countless sacrifices to send my brothers and I to Catholic school to ensure we got the best education they could provide. As a kid I struggled a lot with my faith. At the heart of the church there is love, compassion, empathy, honesty, and kindness; but in the classroom it felt cold, cruel, distant, and unattainable. How could a church whose goals were that of love turn so cold when you looked closely? And how could my community, who has so much love turn to so much hate when politics were brought into the mix? Our country hasn’t been this divided since the Civil War, extremism is running rampant on both sides of the aisle. We are constantly bombarded with radicalism in the media that is poisoning our ability to communicate with people who think differently from us. These harsh realities have been weighing heavily on my heart since the 2016 election. I have been searching for a way to heal, a way to love people through this division. Through this show, I hope to start a conversation of compassion, understanding, and love. Ask ourselves the questions why is what divides us more important than what unites us? At a time when the future of our world looks so desperately unsure, how can we as a people come together, love each other, and try to mend the pieces of our factioned country?

My hope for you is this show leaves you with questions. I hope you leave this theater with a yearning for understanding, compassion, and deep-rooted empathy. No matter your ideological beliefs, I hope this show helps you understand the dangers of talking and not listening.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12