November
The many factors which divide us are actually much more superficial than those we share. Despite all of the things that differentiate us - race, language, religion, gender, wealth and so on - we are all equal concerning our fundamental humanity.
Dalai Lama
What stressful times! Election is only a few days away and it is very, very close so that everyone is wary. Both Republican and Democrat supporters are concerned about their futures, the global pandemic upsurge, raging forest fires, and uncertain economy, and they believe their candidate will provide a better solution to the crises that face us. But I must admit I am quite baffled as to why this election is so close. Don’t get me wrong. I am not cloistered in some progressive bubble where I am immune from the perspective of the opposition. I have a mother who is praying that Trump wins since she fears that the end of the world will come and siblings who actually believe that Democrats are the spawn of the DEVIL - yes, Satan himself (specifically male gender because well, why shouldn’t he be if all the important biblical characters are supposedly male). I am very aware of the Christian right’s ‘propaganda’ to recreate Trump to further their agenda - my family is a living testimony to the effectiveness of this propaganda. At the same time, I am not a simpleton to believe that the Democrats will save all of humanity from the evils of the world, or at least from the Republican party. After all, we are dealing with politicians who want power. I was not born yesterday. But seriously, the Trump administration has done more to damage the lives of people who don’t fit his particular privileged group of people. It should be clear so why can’t people see what I am seeing?!
During these times when we draw our lines of allegiances, I am struck by how differently we frame the challenges that are before us. Here we are facing the same reality but how we understand the reason for the problems is fundamentally distinct. So for me, it is not a question of who is right or wrong but why do we see the world differently and how do we even begin to hold space for conversations that would lead us forward?! I don’t know the answer at this point because as you can imagine, I remain silent at the dinner table when my family discusses politics. I do not see the point of engaging someone if it will only lead to fights that will compound tension and expand the division. I engage where I believe that we can be enriched by and grow from the conversation. I really believe in conserving my energy for spaces that I know I can have an impact. So I am at a loss as to how to bridge this seemingly vast gap between us and them.
In all this, I am troubled by our divisions, our inability to discuss important issues because of what we assume are our fundamental differences. But according to the Dalai Lama, these differences are superficial because we are all humans. Do we not have commonalities that bind us to this earth? Will we self-destruct because we are incapable of reaching across the table? I don’t know but I am wary and tired. I would love to sit at the table without fear that the conversation might veer towards politics and religion, where certain family members will demand that their views are right. I am no different. If given the opportunity to express my views, I would not shy from sharing what I believe. But my silence seems to speak volumes because they don’t ask. They already know.
These are truly dark times because we cannot seem to work together. We are divided and the election more than not demonstrate how far we are separated from each other. I am hoping that after the election, we will be able to not only share bread without fear but dismantle the very walls that seem to keep us apart. Let it be so.
Sam
Founder and Director of Platform
10/31/2020