I’m concerned about obstacles to human flourishing.
I heard someone express this the other day and it hit home. It hit the nail on the head about how I often feel listening to crisis after crisis that seem to pepper our news feeds and social media. There seems to be a lot of angst out there. Populist right-wing groups are striking a cord with many by playing on their grievances or, at least, creating them. There seems to be a great amount of division and partisanship. There’s a lot of ‘us and them’. The invented enemy is the other, people who are not like you.
All of this means that we are not moving forward as a collective. Rather, we are looking to crush others so we can be better off. Or so many in positions of authority are telling us. They are telling us that our ability to thrive is being handicapped by someone else. Scapegoating is an effective means of rallying some of the troops, but it fails miserably on the real stage.
The illusion is that that some of us may advance by creating obstacles for others. It means that society as a whole is not progressing. It means that we’re losing the importance and value of community, a community that includes all, not some, or even most.
The sentiment is a reflection of the complex social and political dynamics that are prevalent in many societies today. The proliferation of information, and sometimes misinformation, can amplify feelings of uncertainty and division. It's observed that during times of societal stress, there can be a tendency to seek simple explanations for complex problems, which can lead to scapegoating and the creation of 'the other' as a source of one's woes. This phenomenon is not new; it has historical precedents and often arises in cycles.
The rise of populist groups and the polarization they can engender often capitalize on real or perceived grievances. By framing issues in terms of 'us vs. them', it simplifies the narrative, making it more digestible for mass consumption, but at the cost of nuance and often, truth. This binary framing can be appealing because it provides clear 'enemies' and 'allies', but it obscures the multifaceted nature of societal issues and the interconnectedness of different groups.
The concept of an 'invented enemy' is a powerful tool for mobilization, but it can also be deeply damaging. It can lead to the dehumanization of others and justify unfair treatment or policies. Moreover, it detracts from the potential for collective problem-solving and mutual understanding. When groups are pitted against each other, the focus shifts from collaborative progress to competitive survival, which can hinder the overall advancement of society.
The idea that one's success must come at the expense of another's failure is a zero-sum perspective that overlooks the potential for shared success. It's a narrative that can be used to justify exclusionary practices and policies, but it doesn't reflect the reality that societies thrive when there is inclusivity and when diverse groups can contribute to and benefit from collective progress.
Community, in its truest sense, is about inclusion and support for all members, recognizing that the well-being of each individual contributes to the well-being of the whole. When the importance of community is lost, society risks losing the social cohesion necessary for cooperation and mutual support.
So what does this mean? What is this telling us?
It means that it's important to challenge narratives that seek to divide and to promote those that foster unity and collective advancement. In so doing, society can move towards a future that is not defined by division, but by shared goals and mutual respect and understanding.
We need to work on ways to move forward – together.
Because at the end of the day, that’s really how we’re going to thrive.
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With that, I’d like to share a song that I only recently discovered, but has been around for a few years, one that resonated with me because it beautifully captures the essence of community and the significance of building relationships based on love and understanding - "Crowded Table" by The Highwomen.
The song serves as an anthem of unity, acceptance, and support. It emphasizes the importance of coming together, acknowledging each other's differences and hardships, and extending a helping hand.
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