I celebrated the fourth in a small town, where some of the typical exuberance remained. But even there, the whole spirit of the things seemed forced. But I definitely appreciate your optimistic take on the possibilities for our country. Reading it gave me a bit of help hope. Thanks!
You're most welcome. I think what's hardest for me is the realization that yes, a lot of people I disagree with are still Americans and will still continue to be Americans, no matter how our politics turns, and that is as it should be. We can't all agree all the time. I think some people take exception to that observation on my part. But we can disagree with them without allowing their certain toxic beliefs—for example, Christian nationalism or white supremacy—to become the warp and woof of our nation. I think that's the battle we're fighting now. The hardest question I see, and the one that I haven't seen anyone ask, is WHY they believe what they believe. Where did this come from? How did our society so radically fail them? Can education make a difference at this point, or is it too late? Christian nationalist beliefs often are firmly embedded in a person's faith tradition, and even demonstrating how they contradict the Bible's teachings isn't enough to move the needle. So I don't have any easy answers.
I celebrated the fourth in a small town, where some of the typical exuberance remained. But even there, the whole spirit of the things seemed forced. But I definitely appreciate your optimistic take on the possibilities for our country. Reading it gave me a bit of help hope. Thanks!
You're most welcome. I think what's hardest for me is the realization that yes, a lot of people I disagree with are still Americans and will still continue to be Americans, no matter how our politics turns, and that is as it should be. We can't all agree all the time. I think some people take exception to that observation on my part. But we can disagree with them without allowing their certain toxic beliefs—for example, Christian nationalism or white supremacy—to become the warp and woof of our nation. I think that's the battle we're fighting now. The hardest question I see, and the one that I haven't seen anyone ask, is WHY they believe what they believe. Where did this come from? How did our society so radically fail them? Can education make a difference at this point, or is it too late? Christian nationalist beliefs often are firmly embedded in a person's faith tradition, and even demonstrating how they contradict the Bible's teachings isn't enough to move the needle. So I don't have any easy answers.