Twenty lessons for citizens of an imperiled democracy, from a scholar of twentieth-century catastrophes.
Twenty lessons for citizens of an imperiled democracy, from a scholar of twentieth-century catastrophes.
Twenty lessons for citizens of an imperiled democracy, from a scholar of twentieth-century catastrophes.
Twenty lessons for citizens of an imperiled democracy, from a scholar of twentieth-century catastrophes.
Helen was revered as a good person, and I was happy to be her friend. She was a manager, a mother, an artist, a neighbor. My experiences with her were always warm and affirming. Everyone trusted her integrity because she lived her values.
But one day we find that she has done something horrible—something offending our moral code. In an instant, Helen becomes disturbing to me. How can I trust her? The experiences we shared are erased by a biting fear that all she was is a lie.
Then Hope—an acquaintance, not even a friend—steps forward with a gift of love. Hope and Helen talk, and affirm their relationship is still authentic. With this assurance, Hope is with Helen as she answers for the harm she created. Hope sees Helen as an artist, a manager, a neighbor and a person who violated a tenet. Hope insists we all are more than the worst thing we’ve done, and should not be carelessly discarded. She forces me to ask if integrity is only the memory of unblemished experience, or if it is simply capricious perception. Hope doesn’t say it, but I admit to myself: shame on me!
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110135628/https://www.questformeaning.org/podcasts/20_05/04.mp3
I make no mistakes. I do not err.
A charge of fault is so unfair.
While others protest in despair
I shift the blame with great fanfare,
then put on an innocent air.
I do not try, so mistakes are rare.
Mistakes are made by those who try,
those who work and question why.
They take their lumps, do not deny,
make no excuse, no alibi.
“I know more now” is their reply,
then move on without tear or sigh.
Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110144255/https://www.questformeaning.org/podcasts/20_06/05.mp3
I know her
In times of turmoil she is unexpected respite
I cherish what she is, what I am not
Her countenance is hopeful
Her words are kind without rebuke
Hers is not charity, yet no debt is incurred
She assumes I am worthy. I am sure I am not
I know her, but I have never been her
When the turbulence passes
She departs with this wise impress
Do not wait for others to prove worthy
They are already
You are able to be Grace for them
Are you willing?
Timothy
CLF member, incarcerated in NY
I was walking in the yard.
He looked like a mob enforcer β probably because he was.
Iβd seen him often, fierce and intimidating. We never spoke.
He was looking up. I turned to see a rainbow.
βYou have to search for beauty. There is none here in prison.β
βIs that a double rainbow forming?β
βYes, they are rare.β
βGorgeous.β
We watched with reverence. It faded away too soon.
βAs a kid Iβd run out after a rain to look for a rainbow.β
βDid you find many?β
βNo. Almost never. But I kept trying.β
βLooking for beauty is always worthwhile.β
We continued talking.
Sharing awe made us humble,
dissolving barriers,
allowing us to act like old friends.
It was beautiful.
Chaos and Concord battle in the collective mind.
Chaos whispers to every tribe, religion, and race
βFear βthe otherβ
They covet your power
They envy your advantage.β
She sings to each group,
βYouβre the stronger, the higher, the better,
Youβre the blessed. Privilege is your right.β
Concordβs small voice speaks of equity, justice and peace.
βLike us, βthe otherβ has tradition, history, community, art.
Like us, they are right to exist.β
βNo,β cries Chaos.
βOnly the strong, the worthy, the majority can rule.
The vote is your modern weapon for keeping them at bay.
If you cannot defeat them,
feign tolerance to hide your enmity while you bide your time.β
βTolerance is not enough,β Concord interjects.
βWe must be happy for them and their community.
Erasing a culture is not up for ballot.
We canβt hide our violence and bias behind popular votes.
It kills freedom, feeds Chaos, it is cruel.β
βConquest and conformity,β Chaos asserts,
βis the only way to happiness.β
βBelief that, someday, all will accept the same beliefs,
the same god, the same history,
only perpetuates sadness and despair.β
Concord challenges,
βpursuit of happiness is not by forced acceptance.
Happiness grows
by being happy for each other,
by supporting each otherβs spiritual growth,
by helping each other build meaning,
by trying to understand and encourage all those around us.β
May Concordβs voice be heard.