An Unprecedented Collapse

A silent shadow is creeping across the land. I cannot yet discern its shape but it is deathly dark, arrogantly relentless and void of warmth as it rises defiantly. It reveals itself in the greed of the super-rich, the ruthless hunger for power among unethical politicians, the violence splintering the country and the fear that cowers human hearts.

It discharges anger and suffering until the air stinks with decay and oppression weights the shoulders. Cries for peace are suffocated with shrouds of hate. There is no simple, rational or ah-ha reason why democracy is slipping away. Now is a dangerous time

When the shadow crosses the Light, familiar touchstones, wellbeing and benchmarks are merely mirages that cannot be reached. Life suddenly becomes surreal.

Where is the strategy for a tomorrow that is a mere hallucination?

Historically, Americans have accepted challenges foisted on them and fought back. Today, they are gamed with intimidation and implicit threats by self-centered, arrogant legislators and lawyers, intent on creating a world of us-versus-them-thinking that magnifies our perceptions of difference rather than our shared fate.

In America, social bonds collapse as the economy fragments. Caring relationships have become luxuries. The sociological impact of polarization and increasing censure of one’s political opposites is an emergent consequence.

The pathology that stabs the soul, is that Americans appear to be content to simply watch one another die. They are not shocked and stunned or even resigned, but merely indifferent as their neighbors, friends, and colleagues die too soon and, often, alone.

Americans seem not to feel a need to stop this social predatory way of life. They turn their heads, shut their eyes and go about their daily business.

Bipartisanship has been chased into a darkened cavern guarded by power-incensed hypocrites. The current rhetoric of hostility to a perceived challenger has metamorphosed to an extreme level where revulsion is a stronger motivator than loyalty. Anger has become the primary tool proponents of negative partisanship use to rouse voters.

In a lucid world, there are some individual and societal benefits from political polarization and conflict between opposing viewpoints. Many individuals find it easier to understand and comprehend a partisan perspective rather than grapple with the complex approaches to issues and situations that include diverse pros and cons. There are economic perks for businesses that are able to take advantage of and monetize the behaviors of emotional partisans seeking corroboration for their opinions.

The original intent of establishing three separate branches of the federal government was to use open-minded analysis to work through conflict. Handled correctly, optimal solutions emerge from the process.

What happens, however, when elected representatives who refuse to negotiate, compromise or consider revision of their dogmas, dominate Congress? It has been shown that, when Legislators become so rigid they will not even acknowledge the needs of their constituents, policy actions, budget compromises and government-run national institutions are shuttered.

It is no secret that money is a titanic stimulus for elected representatives to cling to policy and courses of action favored by big money donors. Not surprisingly, such groups often obtain policy promises from candidates that exclude the concept of compromise.

The COVID19 pandemic displayed the disdain the federal government holds for traditional family institutions, religious institutions and the economic system. The lack of trust and respect for Scientific process, higher education, the mass media and the role of state government flashed like an I’m Okay -You’re not Okay message in holographic colors on our TV screens.

Such biting views of institutions and social structures promote distrust, anger and internal infighting, instead of active efforts to fix problems and address threats. Fake, fabricated news and information create confusion about the validity of current issues and the angry disagreement on essential, basic facts feed the loss of confidence in government.

Lack of accountability has become our operating principle.

Our domain has become a polarized society where people make snap judgments about others based solely on their political leanings. Gone is the custom of taking time to get to know people newly met to discover common interests. The purpose of the new meet and greet is to determine where someone stands on the political scale in reference to your position.

From this new perspective, individuals draw broad assumptions that define many aspects of who that person is. There is little thought of exploring what they have in common.

As polarization deepens, collaboration evaporates. Individuals are frightened to share their true beliefs with others because differing beliefs can lead to derision, arguments and even violence. Beliefs are self-filtered and, frequently, self-silenced.

An appetite for self-protection sprouts special-interest bubbles based on religion, sexuality, gender, race and many more categories. Inside the bubble, people cower among their counterparts and speak a mutually accepted language without fear of reprisal for words, ideas and concepts unacceptable to another group. Personal trust is strongly coupled with personal views on issues related to institutional trust, whether it is the military, police officers, business executives or religious leaders.

Paper the walls of the bubble with some unique brand of discourse – slanted social media, narrowly focused journalism, sensation-seeking media, pathological lies – and captivity is complete. The sound of new, different and novel conversation that could have led to solutions and compromises equally beneficial to all is muffled. Polarization intensifies as an insatiable force.

Take a deep breath and taste the toxic atmosphere created by current leaders and heads of state who play to the dark sides of human nature. The air is heavy with mistrust, fear, apprehension, cynicism, disenfranchisement and hatred of those who are seen as different. Blinded by the resulting haze, the circle of light spotlighting a true leader continues to blur.

This catastrophe of human prospects dishonors this country. The time has come to gather our essential baggage and seek a loftier position.

It is up to rational, empathic and determined Americans to find the critical path, recapture the common ground and salvage the American dream before the light fades to dark. We can only thwart malignant polarization if our efforts are in the interest of all persons and for the common good of everyone.

Such an undertaking demands solidarity and rejects any attempt to divide our country. Strive to promote conversations about the mutual needs of all people and do not back down from the truth that only some are getting their needs met. Cast-off chatter that activates harmful stereotypes.

This moment is where each person lives and where positive, powerful action is possible. Now is that time to live as though your positive acts will jolt a chain reaction, culminating in paybacks beyond imagination.

What we imagine becomes what we build. What if we actively imagined and willfully designed a new culture focused on equity that is worthy of cheers and devoid of fears? It is not only possible, but probable. Did mankind not have the courage and foresight to leave the caves behind?

Ground yourself in reality. Follow the yoga practice of becoming aware of your feet touching solid ground and listen to the whisper of the guru. Feel your feet, feel your feet. We desperately need everyone to feel their feet.

Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to live without. ~ William Sloane Coffin Jr.