DELIBERATELY DIVERSE | Rev. Jim Newman
A path forward together
“Deliberately Diverse” represents the individual thoughts and opinions of a group of Taylor friends who almost never completely agree about anything, but are grateful for the opportunity to stimulate deliberately diverse discussions in our beloved community.
Today’s column represents the thoughts and opinions of the Rev.
Jim Newman (PCUSA retired), and not the Taylor Press.
Last fall’s midterm elections provided a brief break from the ideological excess of extremism and a win for moderation, but they did not solve the underlying issues. Democrats may have avoided a typical midterm drubbing and Republicans may have won the House, but neither party has won over independent voters or built a governing coalition that can consistently pass legislation that adequately addresses people’s pains and aspirations.
And as we now head toward next year’s presidential election, we see a substantial segment of our population eager to reinstall our former president, and millions of their neighbors who would rather see him barred from office or even in jail.
Fortunately, most average Americans already show us a path forward. Whether or not they articulate it, they demonstrate a political common-sense in their daily lives. It reveals itself in the mutual kindness they exhibit to their neighbors and coworkers, and in the pride they take in their work, families and local communities.
The polls back this up. Americans who disagree strongly on hotly contested issues demonstrate near perfect alignment when asked about core values. It turns out that, for all our differences, most Americans share a worldview of equal opportunity, personal freedom and social investments that make all our lives better and build a society that values and benefits everyone.
Of course, not everyone will focus on what binds us together. There will always be leaders who seek power by turning us against each other. So, our role as Americans is to reject their offerings. We can choose respect, rather than demonization, condescension or disengagement. It is not easy to break our tribal habits, but it is possible. The ancient Greco-Roman philosopher Epictetus, about whom I’ve written here before, teaches that when confronted with an objectionable viewpoint, we have the power to pause, separate the view from the person who expresses it and respond with respect and, hopefully, a willingness to learn.
America has a tough challenge ahead.
Ideologues bemoan America’s failures and demagogues proclaim, “American carnage,” but their shortsightedness and self-interest should not dictate America’s future.
Instead, we should build upon the virtues already woven into our national DNA. Most families here in Taylor give their full measure of devotion by leading decent and honorable lives despite the distractions and disappointments of the moment.
They ask for very little outside help. They simply want the economic opportunity, social foundation and basic respect to build meaningful lives for themselves and their children. The task ahead of us is to see the goodness in their example, adopt it and begin the work of building a more empowering and respectful community.
