“TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!” #Moshe, #Rabbenu #teacher #giving, #graduation #shoes #kind #mentor

 “TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!”

“Moses, also known as Moshe Rabbenu is considered to be the most important prophet in Judaism, and an important prophet in Christianity, Islam, and a number of other Abrahamic religions,” (Wikipedia.)

He is well-known for the experience he had (recorded in Exodus 3:5 in The Bible) when he went to look at a burning bush and God called out to him: “Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Another important historical figure, Joshua, was named as Moses’ assistant in the books of Exodus and Numbers (in The Bible).  Later he became leader of the Israelite tribes after Moses died. Joshua also heard an order to “Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy.” At that time, the order came to him from “the commander of the Lord’s army.”

Fast forward many centuries to the year 2021 and we find an 18 year old African-American young man, Daverius Peters who is happy – over-the-Moon happy. Why? This was the day that he would graduate from high school! His mother and other relatives would be there to see him walk across the stage and receive his diploma.

Daverius was a senior at Hahnville High School in Boutte, La., USA.  According to the article by David Matthews in the New York Daily News, June 2, 2021, he “was blocked from entering the convention center.”  Why? Because he was wearing black leather sneakers with a white sole. Those shoes did not meet the dress code for the graduation ceremony. He should have been wearing “dark dress shoes.” 

The unexpected situation sent Daverius into panic mode. He was in shock. He felt humiliated. What could he do?

Just at that time he saw John Butler, who is a paraeducator at the school. Daverius told Mr. Butler what had happened, and together they went to explain the situation to “the woman who had barred him from entry in the Convention center” where the ceremony would take place.

“The woman” would not relent. There was no way she would allow Daverius into the convention center. Not in those sneakers!

In an article written by  Dolores Monet titled ” The History of Shoes: Ancient and Early Footwear” (published January 23, 2020) the author says “Shoes are the foundation of every outfit . They allow a person to move safely and comfortably on unforgiving surfaces, protect the foot from the elements and add that final statement of panache.”

But back to Mr. Butler and Daverius. 

Mr. Butler looked down at the young man’s feet. They were obviously smaller than his own. In fact, Daverius wore a size 9 in shoes. Butler wore a size 11.

“Take off your shoes,” was the only thought that came to Mr. Butler. It was powerful; so powerful that he bent down quickly, took off his shoes and gave them to the young man. 

“The shoes were so big; I could not even walk. I was sliding,” Daverius said after the ceremony. But slide he did, across the platform and he received his diploma. Meanwhile his mother who was in the audience wondered where the  shoes he was wearing came from and why was he wearing them?

Many of the guests at the ceremony wondered why “that gentleman (Mr. Butler) who had no shoes on was sitting among the guests.”

It’s a long story……”they did not connect the dots at the time,” the report on MSN said.

Mr. Butler’s kind thoughtful act saved the day for Jima Smith’s son, and it touched her deeply.  “We need more teachers like him. Our young black men need good role models and mentors like Mr. Butler,” she said.

What was one of the most valuable lessons that other people learned from the situation. It was: “Be kind to one another, be thoughtful, be empathetic, try to understand where other people are coming from.”

And, if you have to, “take off your shoes.”

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#Moshe, #Rabbenu #teacher #giving, #graduation #shoes #kind #mentor