Millennium Dream

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Millennium Dream

by: Steve Goodier, , Source Unknown

The daughter of comedian Groucho Marx was once denied admittance to

an exclusive country club swimming pool with her friends because she

and her family were not members. Realizing what had happened,

embarrassed officials sent the Marx family an apology and an

application to join. Groucho declined the invitation with the

comment, " I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as

a member. "

Someone still tried to smooth over the incident by persuading the

comedian to allow an application to be submitted for membership. The

country club was embarrassed further when the application was denied.

The reason? The Marx family was Jewish and the club was " restricted. "

True to form, Groucho wrote back: " My wife is not Jewish. Can she go

swimming and let our daughter wade up to her waist? "

I love his use of humor, but Groucho effectively shines a spotlight

on the prevalence and absurdity of prejudice. He must have felt, as

did Sir Isaac Newton so many years earlier, that we build too many

walls and not enough bridges.

I yearn for a time when we courageously break down those walls that

divide and build wide bridges between one another. I long for a super-

highway of compassion and acceptance spanning our differences to

unite all humanity as one. I dream of a new millennium where people

will be finally connected heart to heart and mind to mind.

And I will do my small part to make that future come true.