One of the only reasons we humans survive as a species is surely that we are so diverse. I am not talking only about race and gender and obvious physical traits like height and weight and ability or disability. The strength of our diversity truly lies in the different skills, aptitudes, interests, and values we have-- and the pursuits that we value. Art! Science! Government! Business! Learning! Teaching! Storytelling! Composing! Playing! Praying! Likewise, it lies in the ways we devise to achieve our goals.
I think it is the constant balance and counterbalance that has prevented the evil within us from finally overpowering the world from one sector or another.
Yet so many are crying out with hatred, bitterness, white-knuckled paranoia, despair for the future, and what is far, far worse: a despair of the humanity of great swaths of people. I say this as someone who absolutely cannot abide what has taken power in the U.S.A. It's all too easy to despair of those who don't see the horror and danger that I see.
But I must not. It would be a path of voluntary self-blinding. I have to believe that the millions and millions of people who disagree with me are also human, with their own stories of pain and struggle, their own noble aspirations, and even kindness in their hearts.
All of us deserve our life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and dignity.
How did we come to this? And how, from this mad whirling carousel balanced on the head of a pin on the edge of a skyscraper, can we descend safely to live in peace and respect?
I suspect that what most of us really, really want is simply that. Life in peace, with dignity.
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