The Good Within Us Is Worth Fighting For
There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for, said the author J.R.R. Tolkien.
But who should fight for it, and above all, how?
In America, there's no longer agreement on what's good and what's not. But there used to be.
A century ago, whether a woman scrubbed floors at Woolworth's Five and Dime or shopped for furs at Saks Fifth Avenue, democracy was the sacred ground they both walked on and worshiped.
If a man kept score on those who wronged him, or if one fell in with the wrong crowd, they both honored their right to make amends in the congregation of their choice.
And whether a woman practiced piano in Des Moines or a man strummed a banjo in Baton Rouge, they both applauded their child's right, and every child's right, to a free education. And there was a reason to celebrate that.
In those days, it was common knowledge that a house divided against itself cannot stand—and knowledge in common united us.
The image above is the cover of the 24th Street Elementary School student report card, dated Feb. 3, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. Notice that good citizenship is primary among the studies—because "the future of democracy and the stability of government" depends on it.
Now, as we stand in that future, America's classrooms stand before the firing squad of a cutthroat administration that has no interest in cultivating democracy in fertile young minds where the ideals of equality and justice take root, spread, and thrive.
Is it too late to disarm that firing squad? Unfortunately, yes.
This week, the Supreme Court's majority gave their president the go-ahead to dismantle the Department of Education and proceed with mass firings. This ruling unfastens additional anchor bolts meant to uphold our federal institutions and secure them to our rule of law.
While it's too late to save the Department of Education, it's not too late to stop the destabilizing of our democracy.
There are countless ways to fight against what's happening, but we should also fight for what's not happening.
If we follow the lead of those Americans who lived a century ago, we'd be talking and listening to each other. Back then it was the way of good citizenship.
We'd be talking about what's good, and agreeing that any good in this world is worth fighting for.
One hundred years ago, Americans understood that goodness was inherent in democracy, and democracy was a catalyst for our own good. Today, it's still as good as gold because it promotes goodness within each of us.
Isn't that what we should all be talking about? Aren't we all tired of talking about Trump—or not talking at all?
Well Street
Before learning this message from the superintendent was written nearly 100 years ago, my first thought was of the parental backlash she would certainly receive with accusations of liberal and "woke" indoctrination attempts.
When it comes to fighting against presidential policies, organized protests and picket signs are the first thing that come to mind. In addition to listening to and talking with others, especially those we don't see eye-to-eye, what are some other forms of meaningful protest? It seems we're going to need them.
Evangel
I don't really see talking to others as a form of protest, especially if they oppose your views. Protests create solidarity, inform newcomers, and build alliances. But unless they are persistent and massive, studies show they don't often bring the results we want. That's why we need to do more.
Sadly, because we are very divided now, it's almost a hostile act to attempt to talk others out of their beliefs. But what we can do is discover what they think is good and positive in their life. In those conversations, people discover there's more agreement than anyone imagined possible. If we can agree on what's good in the world, then we can work together to sustain it. And it's an opportunity to show people how those good things in life are fostered and made possible through democratic ideals and norms—and the rule of law. We need to help others make those connections because most people know that what's happening today is not okay--and that includes the division we're stuck in.
In a district post, I will share a pdf of 198 methods of non-violent action from the Albert Einstein Institute. Some actions relate to what people can do, others focus on what organizations can do, and others are tactics nations can take such as sanctions.
Slipstream
A friend in Palm Springs told me that on July 4th, a group of locals got together and read the Declaration of Independence. He said it was an extremely moving and rewarding experience. We should be talking about democracy, its goodness, and how it benefits everyone.
As the report card above so eloquently states the necessity of teaching: "... essential traits of attitude and mind that make for good citizenship. Upon these depend the future of democracy and the stability of the government." As a nation, we've forgotten these basics.
Homeless Valley
Thanks for your post. Prayer groups work well, too. People in prayer groups are generally seeking god's blessings. But many are confused from Trump's misinformation campaign. So when you connect with them on things that matter most to them like healthcare, finances, and so forth, and then show them which party has done the most for them in those areas of life, you are opening their eyes. What I'm saying is, talking about the nuts and bolts in life in a prayer group setting is helpful. It helps remedy their confusion or misplaced hatreds. Knowledge is power.
Wilsons Grave
The firing of Stephen Colbert is setting off alarm bells for me. It's political and CBS is bending its knee to Trump again. Well, i'm pissed! A CBS boycott's how I'm gonna handle it. I'll still watch his show until it ends next year, but I'll have nothing more to do with CBS from this day forward. Just sayin' it's another act of resistance, and if enough folks decide silencing Colbert (Trump's critic) is a sin against democracy then maybe those media moguls will start to feel it in their fat wallets.