22/12/2019
And finally, a moment of seriousness and perhaps inspiration. The Christmas season often features stories of redemption, of people discovering their humanity and the power of love, to quote the Frankie Goes to Hollywood song. One of the most powerful and enduring tales for this time of year is “A Christmas Carol”, by Charles Dickens, which was first published in 1843 and which this year will feature a new BBC Television adaptation starring Guy Pearce, who is well known from the drag queen classic movie , “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. In a “Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three supernatural visions on Christmas Eve and learns the power of love for other humans. Occasionally, just occasionally, this story has echoes in reality. Two weeks ago, the BBC News Channel talked to Shirley Phelps-Roper, who was brought up in the notorious Westboro Baptust Cult in the United States, known for its endless hate campaigns against homosexuals, Jews, atheists, pagans and indeed anyone outside their own circle. Phelps-Roper says now that she was saved from the group, which she left in 2013, by ordinary gay and straight people reaching out to her on Twitter, normally a platform which is criticised for being an instrument of polarisation. What’s more Ms Phelps-Roper shared a story that will surprise a lot of people. Her grandfather, Fred Phelps, founded the sect and spent much of his life engaged in such vicious activities as picketing the funerals of American soldiers. It is arguable that he may have had an impact contrary to that intended, because many people who did not previously like LGBTQ people forged new alliances to oppose the Westboro group. Phelps was undeterred and his campaigns became more bitter. But then, in 2016 he fell seriously ill, and it became clear that his life was coming to a swift end. One morning, he wandered from his death bed across the street to where a group of gay and trans activists were camped out. They feared they would get a mouthful. But instead, Phelps looked at them and “You…. You are good people”, he said. “You are good people”. And went back inside. Ms Phelps-Roper believes that right at his point of death, Fred had seen how wrong he had been. One of the most reviled anti-gay bigots had learned the power of love and reconciliation. And the gay community understood this. The night when Fred passed on, other members of the hate group were out at a pop concert picketing. Gay groups unfurled a banner which said “We Are Sorry for Your Loss”. They saw that reconciliation can be granted to even the most horrible of people. And surely that is the meaning of Christmas. However you celebrate this season, the news team wishes you a time of magic, peace and love, and a prosperous New Year to come. Happy Holidays.
