Through All the Tumult and the Strife

many of us in the usa thought that the election of barack obama as president signaled an end to a racist past.  when donald trump was elected, we knew that was not the case.  with trump's election, those who had bristled at the idea of a black president were given warrant to publicly voice their hatred of those who were different from the white, male, heterosexual, evangelical majority.  the gains that had been made for lbgtq americans were attacked.  the concept of systemic rascism was decried as being a divisive view that should be made illegal.  controversial books were to be removed from library shelves lest young minds be contaminated.  guns were embraced as a necessary instrument of protection against what was seen as an unruly mob of largely young protestors who were standing up for the ideals of equality and respect for all people, regardless of skin color, gender identity, or ethnicity.

we're confronted now with two radically different philosophies of what america should be.  there are many who intend to use the power of government to prevent discussion of ideas they find troubling, to destroy public education, to establish a society in which those who are poor are kept that way and where those who have much acquire even more.  in almost half our states, those who espouse this view control state government and are using their power to insure continued control, even when a majority of their residents are opposed to this way of thinking.

on the other hand, there are those who believe that we must turn away from our ugly past when people of color were suppressed and relegated to menial jobs and substandard housing and embrace an open society, where freedom of expression and opportunity flourish.  this vision of america invites open discussion of the evils of the past, believing that we must understand and confront the systemic racism that is ingrained in our society and even in our founding documents.  in this view, we must come to terms with the brutality of slavery and make amends for it, no matter how uncomfortable that may be.  we cannot ignore history, lest we condemn ourselves to repeat it.  government, according to this way of thinking, is an agency for the betterment of all people, not a force to maintain an unhealthy status quo.

may we embrace the latter philosophy of governance.  may we understand the good and the bad in our history, bending its arc toward greater freedom, inclusiveness, and kindness.  may we not suppress that which we do not understand and that which makes us uncomfortable.  may we promote the pursuit of happiness for every person.  shalom.