A message from Nan Ring:
Belonging is when I am included - in the conversation, in the party, in the daily life of a group that shares my values. Some humans feel more of a sense of belonging around animals than other humans. Some with flowers, others with the Stars. What divides us humans physically is the belief that getting together is a special event, not a daily part of ordinary life. What divides us emotionally is a pervasive unwillingness to reveal feelings that may label us weak or unstable, and what divides us psychologically is judgement, fear, and lack of empathy. There is no acceptable reason for division of kind and reasonable souls, only excuses and fear. There is no acceptable reason for exclusivity, only bitterness, selfishness and a ruthless judgement that labels and separates. |
A message from Emily Baker:
The hunger to belong is a real one. A number of studies have been conducted in recent years determining that loneliness--which I would define as the pain caused by not belonging or feeling connected to other people--actually has an acutely negative impact on your physical health, and can shorten your life (read more on Slate here). I think we all know how excruciating it is to feel alone and can relate to that pain on a visceral level. And yet it surprises me how quick we can be to exclude or isolate or "other" other people. I think a fundamental lack of empathy is what keeps us apart, keeps us from reaching out to others to include them. |
A message from John and Kirsten Ferry:
We're Independents who felt that the candidate lineup was poor going in to the election, so we each voted in the primary for those we thought we're in line with our views. As usual, the two party process didn't serve well, but it was important not to give the White House back to the Clintons. Kirsten has been a poll worker for years and has had to stand up in the face of bad management, which happened again; tampering by polling place judges is a serious issue, and it seems people get into those positions in order to influence election results. Kirsten stands up and gets criticized and harassed for doing the right thing and reminding people what the law says - this really happens, over and over again. The election results are another example of the same problem: people want what they can't have. Trump supporters want the country back on track from a place that disregarded many laws; many others want to get in the way of those who have stood up for what's right, and they're willing to harass and abuse in the process. Breaking the law has become less of a problem in the eyes of too many people and that's a major issue, but another is the fact that ramming views and agendas down throats is acceptable. Trying to have rational debate and conversation has become nearly impossible because of the "my way or the highway" types who bully their way around, and that's what's polarizing the country. Lack of education and self discipline and respect, combined with anger and self-righteousness, creates intolerance, creates the kind of ugly American stuff that's erupting. It's an election - happens often enough that we can go over things again and fix stuff - it's not a reason to harm others, but it's showing what many are capable of doing. Those are the real problem and they'd benefit from some real consequences, like a trip through the courts and jails. We found that we couldn't get a word in edgewise with those who wanted to dominate conversations, and we tried to remind them of the First Amendment to no avail. Sometimes people are just wrong and have to be told, and one of the reasons is because they're abusive. The voice of the people can be a very real, very positive way to get things done, so we shouldn't allow it to be dismissed by misuse of the privilege by those willing to either manipulate with propaganda or punish with intolerance. Big money and special interests and corporate giants can be required to do the right thing without sacrificing jobs and good economic principles, and the people can require accountability and improvement without bad manners. |