One of those moments

Last night as we were finishing up a lesson at Little Haitian Camp, Violeta asked the guys if they knew the Mexican national anthem. Almost immediately, about 20 or 30 migrant workers were singing the national anthem,  quite well I might add. The irony of the situation was unmistakable. Here were men that had traveled a week by bus from southern Mexico, a country rampant with economic strife and drug cartel violence, a country from which millions leave to find opportunity to its northern neighbor. And yet, they sang with pride. 

Violeta then asked us if we could sing the Star Spangled Banner. Although all of the OSY staff began the song, it quickly became evident that Faith could sing it perfectly. Essentially, mumbled along quietly just so we could her  beautiful,  acapella  rendition of the song. 

It was one of those moments.  Not once did I nor anyone else feel that we were involved in a nationalistic debate--a my-country-is-better-than-your-country moment. It felt Faith wanted them to hear our song and to hear it sung beautifully. And beautifully did she sing reflected in the applause she received from everyone that was fortunate to hear her sing. Yes, under the full of the moon on the night of a lunar eclipse, we experienced one of those moments.