I am about to state the obvious: We are in an election year. I know, obviously. It’s impossible to scroll through social media or a news outlet without this blaring reminder. And while I tend to stay fairly quiet on social media about my political leanings, I do care quite deeply about the state of our nation, the world, and our policies, as I imagine most Americans do. I truly believe that legislation matters, and that electing leaders who care about the common good is a duty and responsibility we carry as citizens. So I watch the debates. I read articles and try to stay informed and educated and open. I have even done volunteer campaign work. But the hardest task of all is trying to keep these two virtues aflame: hope… and faith in the goodness of human hearts.
Some days, it’s really hard to feel hopeful or to believe in the goodness of my species. That’s usually when I have allowed myself too great a serving of the media diet. A large media diet, I believe, is generally bad for health. At least it is for mine. And that goes for really any type of media, but especially for the media that seeks to shock, incite anger, or scare. Like pulling away from a box of Oreos, I practice shutting off the phone or closing the screen, when I become aware that I’m starting to feel full of junk (a.k.a. anxiety/despair/numbness). And that is hard to do in an era of 24/7 news coverage, or when my phone gives un-asked-for alerts about what happened at the latest caucus or Oscars event or Superbowl. It takes self-awareness and practices (such as, meditation, journaling, and walking among trees) to step back, breathe, and remember my place in the world.
One reason I hesitate to post my political beliefs on social media is I do not want any parts of polarization. I am a firm believer that “we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike” (to quote Maya Angelou in “Human Family”), and that when we focus on our differences, instead of our similarities, we further alienate one another. There are family members and friends whom I deeply love and respect on both sides of the aisle (and in all places in between), and it is only easy to demonize a group of people when you keep them at arm’s length, or beyond! This is not to say that I don’t think some of their views are deeply misguided. But I want to caution us to be so distrusting of one another that we loose touch with the light within another’s soul, and instead look for our common ground, building from there.
I don’t believe our enemies are the opposite political party members, or a certain religious or ethnic group. Our greatest enemies are greed, fear, and a blind belief in the powers that be. I believe it is crucial to be on the lookout for fear-mongering and manipulation and to realize that certain people in power use these tactics to further polarize us from one another, while claiming they alone can save us from our enemies. I believe that we need to elect, and seek to become, people who are bridge-builders, not builders of walls and division. I believe the best leaders (and the best citizens) inspire people to come together, respond graciously to their critics, and seek to leave a place at the table for everyone, and a special seat of honor for those who are most vulnerable in society.
After all, as I say to the children who read my book, “we are really quite the same.” Grownup friends, let’s remember that as we move through this season.
