At
92 years of age
I
finally see hope for the future of America!
And
here's why.
For
the first time in my 92 years, I came awfully close to despair
regarding my country's future. My lifelong optimism has been in
danger of being lost because of the daily onslaught of divisive news
and the lack of a cohesive effort politically to solve complex
national and worldwide human problems. Having lived through
depressions and recessions, hot wars and cold wars as well as
innumerable natural catastrophes, I have always seen the citizens of
my country unite to meet the various challenges through cooperation
and respect for government. I've always been proud of my country even
though our treatment of Native Americans and other minorities has
been dismal. I am proud that in my lifetime progress has been made in
redressing our countries' historically dismal treatment of minorities
so that I could find succor in the statement of Dr. King and others
that the arc of justice continues to move in a positive direction.
But never have I been so dismayed by the disregard of our leaders for
simple courtesy in the treatment of others, for the disregard for
truth and scientific analysis, for an unwillingness to compromise for
the common good and for the rejection of America's fourth estate, the
press.
However
I am now able to move from this temptation of despair
because
of two forces that not only give promise for change,
but
also provide leadership for the first time to
Make
America Truly Great!
How
heartening for me to live to see HOPE as women finally become
co-partners in leadership and are now joined by the youth of America
with their vision for a future of love, peace and goodwill using
modern technology. How dramatic to see that that these young peoplS
throughout the country have begun to realize the important
contribution they can make in creating a peaceful and loving
world: that they can see through the selfishness and hypocrisy
that has been permitted to control America and envision a world that
values unity and inclusiveness for all in a safe environment.
These
two forceful movements provide the vehicle for change and progress
for an idealistic future that has only been dreamed of. Yet I believe
there are
TWO
ADDITIONAL MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISUSED FORCES
THAT
HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED
AND
ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED NOW
The wisdom of Solons, oracles
and prophets
The strength and unity of
American communities in the past.
But
before looking at the last two aspects involved in change, I think it
important for me to share some of my personal thoughts relative to
the reason for my optimism.
The force of feminine
leadership.
From
the privilege of attending the Woman's March in Washington the day
after the inauguration of President Trump, I am well aware that the
women of America need no advice for me. I increasingly find it
inconceivable that human kind has ignored the strengths of one half
of the population in seeking to solve complex world problems.
Tradition, social mores' and emotional prejudices have dominated the
conversation while we have ignored the unique contributions that
women could make in charting undiscovered human potential. It's time
for men to step back and see how we can best support women in this
movement. It's time for we men to consider the past difficulties
we have burdened women with in order for us to understand and and
support them in the future. History is replete with arduous
struggles for justice and equality. WE MEN CAN BEGIN TO HELP MOVE
FORWARD by schooling ourselves in past and enduring injustices. We
can begin by looking back at the great leaders like Anthony,
Stanton, Friedan and Steinhem. We should also individually look at
ourselves and see where we have failed to support insightful women
in our own lives. Taking this advice personally, I can recognize my
failure as a father and husband to stand up for daughters and a wife
who endured misunderstanding and mistreatment:
When my high school daughter was in the dentist chair
and told by her dentist, "Honey, open your mouth wider",
She replied, "My mother may call me honey, my father
may call me honey, but you can't."
My seventh grade daughter, in order to participate on
her junior high school track team, had do undergo the ridicule of
being on the boy's team since there was no girl's tea coach.
She was not treated with respect by her male teammates and even her
the adult coach.
The trauma of my two daughters being subjected to Me –
Too behaviors by men in power positions!
It was hard for me to accept the fact that my
21-year-old fiancé broke our engagement in 1950. As she gave me the
ring back, she stated that while she still loved me, she felt she
was compelled to do so since she had never – and probably would
never would if she married me soon – experience the freedom of
life on her own without being responsible to a male. Never did I
give thought to her difficulties as a pioneering feminist. I thought
only of my trauma. But how insightful she was to "endure"
this experience that she deemed necessary. I know now the full
happiness that ensued because of her wisdom.
The idealism of young people in seeking to chart a new
direction for their country.
Young
people throughout the world over the past few years have played a
leadership role in seeking justice, equality and freedom from
tyranny for all peoples. Certainly this was the tenor of the times
in the Near East where it was so vividly displayed in Cairo Egypt.
And for years, even our own country, young people have been on the
forefront of improvement in civil rights For me the month following
the murder of students and adults at the high school in Parkland,
Florida, is a continuing part of this demand for change. Young
people are tired of the hypocrisy on constant display and the pace
of change over the past few years to improve conditions for those
without hope our safety, especially for those whose voices have
never been heard. I find it remarkable there are similarities around
the world. While the similarities are uncanny, consider how
dramatically different is the action of American youth. It began
with young people from an affluent public school who learned their
civics lessons well. Peaceful demonstrations were followed up by
discussions and meetings with public officials to bring change
through the American system of legislation and justice. Yet consider
how dramatically different appears to be the action of American
youth. It began with young people from a public school who learned
there civics lessons well. Peaceful demonstrations were followed up
by discussions and meetings with public officials to bring change
through the American system of legislation and justice. Young people
were mocked and faced ridicule and censure as they expressed their
sadness and grief and deeply felt feelings. Yet they felt compelled
to confront a system they perceived as being moribund.
What an
exciting way to begin a revolution.
Thus
my hope for the future has been renewed. I would be remiss, however,
if I left it at that. While in many ways my 92 years were never
unique or exotic, I feel I have been in a position to participate in
and observe a rather historical period. And I feel compelled to share
insights I have gained in that time that might have value in the
future.
The wisdom of Solons, oracles and prophets. Even
printing the words seems archaic. There are probably few who know
that Solon refers to the wise, elderly
lawyers of Athens who were called upon to redefine the law. Do many
young people know that the Oracle of Delphi refers to the elderly
Greek philosopher of wisdom in 1400 BC. But most Bible
oriented Americans know what an elderly prophet is. I
fear that one of the weaknesses of our society today is that history
– the past – has nothing to offer and there is a reluctance by
young people to seek elderly wise solons, oracles or prophets.
This
previous paragraph is my attempt to be erudite in giving some advice
to young people: that their much needed enthusiasm and desire for
change be tempered by looking to the wisdom, achievements and errors
of past generations. For proof of this. I would like to share an
example from my educational experiences in the 1950s and 60s.
James
B. Conant's distinguished career ranges from the presidency of
Harvard University to that of a scientist developing the atomic bomb
to leadership in West Berlin during the height of the Cold War. As
an educator, however, I saw him best when he was called by the
Carnegie Institute to lead a reform of American education. All
America was upset because the launching of Sputnik by the Russians
meant that their educational system was for superior to ours. While
the study brought forth many helpful suggestions for improving the
American high school, we failed to heed Conant's underlying warnings
“written in wrath” in the Carnegie study, Slums and
Suburbs:
that
ghetto schools were woefully inadequate and were the equivalent of
social
dynamite
and he feared that the dangerous social situation would explode.
In
retrospect, one can clearly see that a younger generation at that
time did not follow the wisdom of this prophet who clearly pointed to
the needs of
Fourth of A Nation,
the title a book published at that time which clearly denoted how one
fourth of our country was being neglected.
While I make no claim to being an Oracle, Solon or
Prophet, I shall occasionally use my Ranting blog to share thoughts
from the past which may be of help in assisting these young people in
their commitment to saving lives and making life better for all
The strength and unity of American communities in the
past.
In
his book,
Bowling Alone,
Robert Putnam mantains that America has lost those forces that have
been the glue that unified our people into one country in the past.
From Rotary clubs to churches, from a few mainstrem radio and
television voices to a cacophony of discordant social media voices,
we are no longer drawn together. Separation and isolation are today
the norm.
I personally believe that recent
political events have magnified this problem,
and it is perhaps the greatest stumbling
block that must be overcome for harmony
and wholeness is to be achieved. if our . And
while there are many tangents to the
problem.
I believe that Robert Putnam's book American
Grace: How Religion Divides
and Unites Us
and Better Together:Restoring the
American Community
provide insight into how unity can again be
achieved. And yet I know that even though we profess to be a
“God-fearing” nation, the mere mention of the word is not only
anathema to my four children and nine grandchildren, but is disdain
by
most of America's idealistic young people.
Religion:
the word alone sounds the alarm of hypocrisy and hostility to young
people. Mystical things like virgin birth, miracles, a heavenly
father and an afterlife are anathema to them. Yet I am convinced
that it is in this area that a better understanding of the role and
function of the world's great true religions, all
of which are built on the platform of love and peace
will provide a world that is desperately sought by women and the
youth of America. It is my belief that the hypocrisy expressed by
religious leaders in maintaining traditional practices and
superstitions has kept young people from finding the strength and
purpose that they are desperately seeking. While I respect religious
institutions for their good works, I am convinced that their tribal
approach and concept of a father God who created and controlled world
has shown the need for
A
new Reformation is needed to remove divisiveness, political posturing
and hypocrisy in order to create unity in America by making churches,
mosques and synagogues places of contemplation and commitment to love
and peace for all.
And as agnostic, atheistic
Christian, I'd enjoy talking about the topic further.
