In Shining Tribe Tarot, the 2 of Trees signifies a breakthrough into a deeper level of awareness and the reunion of lovers who have broken up.
Society, as we know it, brings out the worst in people. Before and after the recent election, the evidence was everywhere – on television, on Facebook, in the street. Whether you found yourself on the “winning” side or not, you undoubtedly experienced – and were possibly troubled by – the nastiness. I know I was.
Reinhold Niebuhr, the Christian theologian and a favorite of Barack Obama, is perhaps best known for his book Moral Man, Immoral Society. The title says it all. As individuals, human beings are driven towards goodness. As a group, however, the claws come out.
So how do we deal with political hostilities in a way that moves us towards a wiser, more compassionate society and not deeper into the divisiveness that already characterizes our political process?
1) Remember Niebuhr. Individuals are driven towards goodness. Rather than replicate the lowest common denominator exemplified by the mainstream, remember what’s important to you and communicate from your highest values, i.e. friendship, compassion, brotherly love or unity. Our own goodness is not an instant fix for others’ anger and fear – but you’d be surprised how far you may get asking a disgruntled Obama hater what’s really going on with them.
2) Unclear what your highest values are? Now would be a great time to get clear. At a time when so much media exists to frighten us into actions/inactions that bypass our higher faculties, knowing your values can help you feel empowered by your choices. When you know what you value, choosing what to consume, communicate and engage in feels like a choice rather than a reaction. And there’s power in that.
3) Examine your own anger.
It’s seductive to get caught up in a mutually self-righteous argument about politics. But what, exactly, are you angry about? Do you think everyone should agree with you? Are you afraid of what will happen if we all don’t think the same way? In my case, I’ve found these both to be true.
4) Understand that a wiser, more compassionate society begins with you. Societies are immoral because good people commonly fail to think for themselves or stand for their beliefs, and instead go with the status quo. There are a lot of angry, damaged, uneducated people out there. You are not one of them. You have wisdom and education. Use it for the greater good.
Wow! Read this post and just kept going… they all tied together so well.
Great points, Jesi… and wise suggested steps forward. I so agree that as individuals our hearts seem to have a better hold on our moral compass… and yet, with the pressure of the crowd (which is often being manipulated by those whose talents at doing so are at times brilliant, if not Machiavellian), we somehow seem to let ourselves off the hook and, as you said, sink to the lowest common denominator. Worse, perhaps, we then seem prone to avoid responsibility for the collective outcome we have created together. Thus the cycle is destined to repeat.
One thing I’ve found in walking organizations through the challenging process of creating more humane, productive cultures, is that we also need each other to be at our best. That collective action, however, has to be very intentional. Because, done with a true commitment for each other’s best selves, we can serve as peers who conspire to stay on the right path together. Those critical accountability partners who share the same hope, vision, and commitment we do to live to our higher potential seem to be the marked difference in people, teams, organizations, or communities who are able to lift each other up, instead of dragging each other down.
Your 4 suggestions for keeping ourselves on the right path are ones I’d love to use as suggestions to the people, teams, and organizations I work with. They’re pragmatic and cut to the core of the opportunity or challenge, Thanks for passing them along!
Thanks, Chris. You’re so right to add that we need others to hold us to our highest selves. This is, indeed, one of the most important aspects of a functional community. A function that is foregone, for instance, when parents are afraid to discipline other people’s kids on the playground. Ostensibly, it’s because, as a culture, we can no longer agree on what our values are. But, ultimately, it’s become an erosion of values, period. Keep up your stellar work
Love you, bro. Jes
Great post, Jes!
Thanks, Britt!
Jesi baby WOW keep um commin’ I love your words. Inspired LIla
Thanks, Ms. Harding!
jbd