In many ways it feels as if we have taken a giant step backwards with regard to our humanity. The acceptance of cruel, hateful speak and acts does not forward who we are as a creative, solutions-oriented, good people, but instead takes us backwards to times when we let prejudice, ignorance, and hate divide us.
Yet, when speaking to those who support this speak and this divide, there's little winning--they're convinced that this kind of rhetoric is okay and the way it has to be. They are convinced that some have a right to privilege and others do not. I ache when I see or hear this conviction as it's contrary to my beliefs which hold that every person has a right to good living, justice, and basic supports related to safe neighborhoods, clean water, nutrient-full soil, clean air, good health care, quality education, and equitable rights and opportunities. I don't think that some of us are better than others, and I do recognize that because of history and happenstance some have greater privilege than others.
While I don't believe that people's experience of life will ever be equal, I do believe that we can level the living world in ways that afford all an opportunity to live a good life by making health care, education, safe neighborhoods, environmental protections, and fair laws accessible everywhere in our country.
So what can I do about the impasse between those who disdain hate speak and those who accept it? At this juncture, I believe that the best I can do is live a life that represents my beliefs--a life that recognizes privilege and works to support policies, laws, and actions that support a better, stronger, more equitable country. I notice how people are quick to support efforts and people of privilege, and reticent to stand up for those who face poverty, injustice, and lack of privilege. I know that there are some, however, that devote their entire lives to caring for those who struggle--they give up everything to do this good work. I honor their sacrifice.
It's natural to embrace those who represent a seemingly better or easier road in life, yet we have to consult our rational side when we're enamored by what money and privilege brings. We have to look deeper and think more about what that privilege and money represents. Money made in unethical ways is problematic, and privilege earned via a history of oppression, corruption, or injustice is also problematic. Yet who among us can say that there is nothing in our past that doesn't represent some injustice or oppression? Most of us, if we reach back far enough, will notice privilege that is not rightly ours--privilege based on injustice of some kind or another.
As a people we can move forward by staying faithful to our laws or working to change laws we feel are unfair or unjust. We can move forward by working with greater creativity, imagination, and intelligence to remake societal norms, structures, and actions to be more inclusive, uplifting, and positive--we don't have to stay satisfied with actions and attitudes that privilege some while oppressing others--we can work together for greater equity and opportunity for all.
As an individual, I'll support that movement in the following ways:
- Thinking about my own actions and speak with the focus on the question: Are my actions and words representative of my beliefs and convictions?
- Increasingly working for change in ways that I can at home, in my work place, and in the community. How can I create greater opportunity for people in my midst? How can I promote more peaceful and positive communities where everyone is privileged in ways that elevate opportunity and equity?
- Living a more Earth-friendly life.
- Educating myself to understand the potential that exists for better living for all.
I don't want the hate speak and oppressive actions I witness in our country today to grow. I don't want our hateful leaders to support a movement that makes enemies out of good people just because they have less money, less opportunity, or differences in religion, race, geography, lifestyle, and more. I am well aware of what prejudice and hate like that have done to good people and good countries in the past--I know that hateful acts such as genocide and violence against innocents are devastating, wrong, and possible when we allow people to speak and act with hate and contempt against one another. I know that the hate speak and actions of leaders today are dangerous, and I cannot stay silent or passive with that knowledge. We must all stand up against hateful, oppressive, prejudiced leaders in our workplaces, government, and communities--there is no room for that kind of oppression and hate when it comes to promoting the best of whom we can be.
