Let me first state the obvious: We are in the midst of a global pandemic that has presented both shared and unique challenges to every member of humankind. Here in the United States where I reside, we are also in the midst of another crisis—that of living in a country that is rife with division. I’ve hesitated to write much about either of these topics simply because they are covered daily in many forums. As often as I’ve read others’ opinions on both crises, I wasn’t feeling the need to say much more about them other than via a few short comments here and there on social media, usually on posts shared among those whom I consider close and (generally) like-minded friends.
Since I see my current role as more of an…inspirational one via creative writing forms, I wasn’t sure if an “opinion piece” was something I wanted to undertake right now. But having recently come across a few of my old blogs, I was reminded how, many years ago, I used to blog daily. That boggles my mind! And though I prefer writing about philosophy and spirituality, with all that is currently happening around the globe, it does feels like a good time to share my perspective on current events, too. But unless someone wants to pay me good money for regularly voicing my opinion about…anything, I can promise you that I’ll do it infrequently. Today, however, I feel drawn to write about the divisiveness present in my country of origin and choice.
Upon considering the many events that I never imagined could occur during my lifetime (but have), I can honestly say that it’s been most difficult for me to wrap my mind around the current climate in the U.S.A. The division that has deepened over the last several years has now touched on what I consider to be sacrosanct areas of my life. For example, having been blessed with many close friendships (whether for a reason, a season, or a lifetime), I’ve rarely considered ending one over differing points of view. Not sharing the same values has always been a sticking point for me, but having a difference of opinion never was. Even though I truly believe that it’s ridiculous for anyone to think that they would share the same point of view about everything with even one other human being, let alone several, I’ve recently had days where I’ve become so…distressed while reading other friends’ posts on social media that I’ve considered unfriending them. For me, that is quite disturbing! Thankfully, I always come to my senses by remembering that the differences between us are actually what has made and continues to make life so interesting. Unless others are truly…unconscious, it is also quite apparent to me that there is far more that unites us than divides us. And that goes doubly so for my friends!
I could continue this opinion piece by listing the well-known needs that we all share (and should unite us) as well as our differences in physical appearance and belief systems. But what I prefer to point out is that by allowing fear and hate to poison us against each other, we are contributing to the divisiveness that is blinding us to the obvious: We are all part of humankind, also known as the human race. How and when did we decide that a difference in skin color made someone a member of another “race” when we are all human beings? (I only ask that question rhetorically since I’m sure a bit of research could answer it—something I’ve no desire to do today.) Shouldn’t all of us in the human race have the same rights? Although we have chosen to separate ourselves into nations, cities, communities, etc., we all reside on this globe and are part of the One. And as a citizen of the United States of America, I thought that we were all equal under the law. If so, why do I as a woman have less rights than a man? Why then do we need to write new laws that give “equal rights” to women, those who are supposedly a different race due to the color of their skin, and those with certain sexual orientations? This just doesn’t make sense to me. Aren’t all of those rights already guaranteed?
How is it that so many have come to believe that some are more deserving than others of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? If you believe that you deserve to have healthy food, clean air to breathe and pure water to drink, opportunities to prosper and create as well as care and/or assistance when you require it, why would you want to deny that to others? And why would you do it?! How does it hurt you to have others get the care that they need? How could it be that only some of us deserve access to healthy food and clean water?
My point is this: The worthiness of a human being is unquestionable. No one is more worthy than another of life and the rights that we afford to those living in this country (and beyond, but I’ll stay on topic). I respectfully pose these questions to whomever is reading this blog: How would you feel if you were among a group of people who were seen by others as less deserving of life? For example, if you were sick and needed care, how would if feel to be told that you couldn’t receive it because you were too young, too old, too white, too rich, too poor? If you went into the supermarket to buy food, what if you were denied access to the produce department, for example, because you were a Christian, a Muslim, a vegan, a Wiccan, a black woman, or a blue-eyed man? Choosing any category and attribute that exists: How would it feel if YOU happened to fall into the one that was currently…out of favor? I humbly advise us all to put ourselves in the shoes of any other member of humankind before judging that they are unworthy of what we would desire for ourselves and those that we love.
Due to the ongoing elections and the upcoming one in November, let me take this one step further and pose a few more questions to consider: Why would anyone choose to vote into office those who continuously sow the poisonous seeds of division, seeing some of us as “more deserving” than others? Why would anyone vote for a candidate who believes that skin color, economic status, and/or religious beliefs or lack thereof determine one’s worthiness as a member of humankind? Why would anyone consider voting for someone who has no desire to truly serve? Isn’t that what holding a public office requires: being in service to the people? I recently voted (by mail) in the upcoming Maine election and know that I’ll be voting in the national election in less than four months, and this is my point of view: I choose to support those who see all human beings as worthy of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I choose to support those who want to unite us both as a nation and a global community, sowing seeds of inclusivity and kindness.
My hope is that others will use this time to envision a world in which they would like to live, recognizing that although we hold different points of view and choose to live our lives in a variety of different ways, the basic needs and desires of humankind are shared by all. No matter where we reside on this globe, we the people are One.