Sunday Musings - July 9, 2017
This week included the G-20 meeting in Germany, the 4th of July in the United States, lots of “news” stories which contradict each other, addiction, the Wheeling Symphony, and many moments of friendship. When I sat down to write these were some of the headlines which appeared in center of my brain.
On the surface one might think that most of us humans have goals and life journeys which are very different. Certainly, if one pays attention to the stories which grabs the headlines or stand out when as we move about, there are vast differences between us. The world leaders which gathered in Germany at the G20 seem to have little in common with many of those demonstrating in Hamburg while the leaders met. It would also seem as if the voting on world issues at the summit places the United States against all the other 19 participants.
The world leaders also seemed to have little in common with the members of the Wheeling Symphony and all the other Symphonies which played on July 4th. Despite the large crowds that gathered to sing the national anthem, listen to other music and later watch the fireworks, it seems as if the partisan divide on health care, education, the environment and many other issues is just as strong if not stronger than it was during the recent presidential election campaign in the United States.
This morning while working out at the gym I listened to the third podcast from the San Quintin prison – Ear Hustle. As I listened to men who happen to be inmates at this prison tell their stories – stories which included murder and other acts of violence – I was again reminded that when we exclude people from the larger culture they will choose or stumble on methods to live with this disconnect. These methods may include:
The bottom line is that, with some exceptions, us humans have an enormous need to belong – to be a part of – and will find a way to be a part of some group and/or cause. The irony is that we have known this for a very long time and, yet, society as a whole continues to look at and respond to the symptoms of the issues rather than the core needs which individuals and then group members are attempting to meet. Every day in the United States (and other countries) we tell thousands and eventually millions of people that in fact they will not be accepted by the larger society. Yet we put them in prison, ghettos, economic isolation (often for many years), treat them as less then and expect them to morph into our neighbors. Sometimes in spite of the treatment they have an epiphanal experience and are able to choose another path. Often they are not able to do this. All too often treating the symptoms just reinforces the beliefs that led to the original choices they made.
That percentage of us humans who gain temporary self-esteem by walking on the backs, heart and souls of others create our own adversaries – our own “us them” play. Then when we the folks we trample on do not act like they belong or cannot join our group we use that as an excuse to continue our “us them” play. We call this a self-fulfilling prophesy.
We are one very diverse family with a variety of talents and abilities. All of our talents and abilities are equally valuable and necessary.
I recall when my friend Nancy Sturm was directing the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Some of the school children would be assigned the job of planning a space mission and then another team would carry out the mission. One of the principles on which the educational experience was built was that all of the jobs were equally important. No matter what the job, the race, gender, size, sexual orientation or cultural background of the person doing the job each job was unimportant. Everyone belonged!
I often make reference to my understanding of the term humility. To me, humility requires an acceptance of my own sacredness and an acceptance of the sacredness of every other human. In fact, no only other humans but all pieces with make up the universe(s).
Today I want to remind myself that I am not and do not need to be better than, more than, larger then, or in any way different to earn my place at the human table. It seems to be that as I begin another week I can focus on our basic similarities as humans and not on the superficial attributes or characteristics - the costumes – which mask the core of who we are. Despite the limitations of the thinking about race, gender and other issues of those who drafted the Declaration of Independence, the words themselves affirm that we one.
Written July 9, 2017
This week included the G-20 meeting in Germany, the 4th of July in the United States, lots of “news” stories which contradict each other, addiction, the Wheeling Symphony, and many moments of friendship. When I sat down to write these were some of the headlines which appeared in center of my brain.
On the surface one might think that most of us humans have goals and life journeys which are very different. Certainly, if one pays attention to the stories which grabs the headlines or stand out when as we move about, there are vast differences between us. The world leaders which gathered in Germany at the G20 seem to have little in common with many of those demonstrating in Hamburg while the leaders met. It would also seem as if the voting on world issues at the summit places the United States against all the other 19 participants.
The world leaders also seemed to have little in common with the members of the Wheeling Symphony and all the other Symphonies which played on July 4th. Despite the large crowds that gathered to sing the national anthem, listen to other music and later watch the fireworks, it seems as if the partisan divide on health care, education, the environment and many other issues is just as strong if not stronger than it was during the recent presidential election campaign in the United States.
This morning while working out at the gym I listened to the third podcast from the San Quintin prison – Ear Hustle. As I listened to men who happen to be inmates at this prison tell their stories – stories which included murder and other acts of violence – I was again reminded that when we exclude people from the larger culture they will choose or stumble on methods to live with this disconnect. These methods may include:
- Do anything one can to become a member of the dominant culture. This may mean achieving academically and becoming or trying to become a respected member of the larger community which may or may not signify acceptance.
- Find an alternate group to join. This may be a radical religious group, a group such as The Alt Right, a terrorist group or street gang.
- Escape to a remote place to live out one’s life.
- Explore way to physically and psychologically block the pain, i.e. alcohol or other drugs. This method may also gain one entrance to a particular group or segment of society.
- Use whatever means possible to attain the symbols of success in the larger culture, i.e. power, mansions, things.
The bottom line is that, with some exceptions, us humans have an enormous need to belong – to be a part of – and will find a way to be a part of some group and/or cause. The irony is that we have known this for a very long time and, yet, society as a whole continues to look at and respond to the symptoms of the issues rather than the core needs which individuals and then group members are attempting to meet. Every day in the United States (and other countries) we tell thousands and eventually millions of people that in fact they will not be accepted by the larger society. Yet we put them in prison, ghettos, economic isolation (often for many years), treat them as less then and expect them to morph into our neighbors. Sometimes in spite of the treatment they have an epiphanal experience and are able to choose another path. Often they are not able to do this. All too often treating the symptoms just reinforces the beliefs that led to the original choices they made.
That percentage of us humans who gain temporary self-esteem by walking on the backs, heart and souls of others create our own adversaries – our own “us them” play. Then when we the folks we trample on do not act like they belong or cannot join our group we use that as an excuse to continue our “us them” play. We call this a self-fulfilling prophesy.
We are one very diverse family with a variety of talents and abilities. All of our talents and abilities are equally valuable and necessary.
I recall when my friend Nancy Sturm was directing the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Some of the school children would be assigned the job of planning a space mission and then another team would carry out the mission. One of the principles on which the educational experience was built was that all of the jobs were equally important. No matter what the job, the race, gender, size, sexual orientation or cultural background of the person doing the job each job was unimportant. Everyone belonged!
I often make reference to my understanding of the term humility. To me, humility requires an acceptance of my own sacredness and an acceptance of the sacredness of every other human. In fact, no only other humans but all pieces with make up the universe(s).
Today I want to remind myself that I am not and do not need to be better than, more than, larger then, or in any way different to earn my place at the human table. It seems to be that as I begin another week I can focus on our basic similarities as humans and not on the superficial attributes or characteristics - the costumes – which mask the core of who we are. Despite the limitations of the thinking about race, gender and other issues of those who drafted the Declaration of Independence, the words themselves affirm that we one.
Written July 9, 2017
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