The world has changed.
It’s amazing to me how one man can do that.
But, alas… here we are!
I feel that, on a very deep and fundamental level, I need to pivot in some way to help meet the new needs of our time. This huge paradigm shift is epic, and I feel that if I’m going to be of any use, I need to figure out what this shift is and how to be and behave within it.
Part of my reluctance, or part of the reason why it’s taking me some time to figure this out, is because of resentment. I’m disturbed that Trump did this to us. I’m resentful that our lives have changed so dramatically and life is so different now. It didn’t have to be.
But, alas… here we are!
Economic Uncertainty:
I’m hearing about so many people’s economic uncertainty and suffering right now. I spoke with one woman the other day whose husband is disabled, and their assistance has been drastically cut, and they’re relying on parents and donations now. I’m feeling it too. I mean… who wants to buy art when they need bread?
But, alas… here we are!
Fear of Insecurity:
I’m Canadian, and although some people chalk up the 51st state talk as joking, we don’t. The sudden fear of an invasion, takeover, or annexation became a very real concern. One day, we went to bed a sovereign nation respected around the world and at peace with our neighbour. The next morning, we wake up to the news that hostility is the new ethos of our relationship, and our own government issues an advisory not to travel south because of the risk of arbitrary detainment. But this insecurity isn’t just experienced by Canadians, but by people in countries all around the world. Everyone is feeling threatened and insecure. It’s a terrible feeling. My empathy for people in countries suffering at the hands of other nations has deepened significantly. I can’t believe this has happened so rapidly.
But, alas… here we are!
A New Pessimism:
I remember reading, in shock, Shusaku Endo’s brutal book, Silence. It’s a historical novel dealing with the Portuguese missionaries who tried to convert Japan but instead were brutally tortured and murdered by the Japanese to thwart the Christianization of their nation. “Silence” refers to God, who was silent throughout.
Then, when I read “The Silence of Animals: On Progress and Other Modern Myths,” I had the same reaction — this is brutally true!
We like to think we’ve made progress. Gray would agree that we have technologically, scientifically, and practically. But not humanly. We are just as barbaric as we’ve always been. We just changed the words.
It’s not genocide. It’s self-defence.
It’s not torture. It’s enhanced interrogation techniques.
It’s not slavery. It’s human trafficking.
It’s not racism. It’s white lives matter.
It’s not ethnic cleansing. It’s deportation.
And so on.
But I also remember reading Simone Weil. She claimed that the assumption that we used to be more barbaric is a myth. She collected stories of true heroism from our distant past. Stories where people showed true sacrifice, empathy, sympathy, compassion, courage, and heroism by rescuing, protecting, and genuinely helping others. People who cared! Gray notes also times centuries ago when torture was made illegal. Times when people cared and believed in love, justice and peace.
Just the other day, I saw Gabor Maté discussing the feeling of hopelessness and despair with Chris Hedges, as many people are experiencing these days. This was about the genocide in Gaza, but also about the state of the world right now. I listened intently.
What did HE have to say about this despair?
Maté reminded us that despite the incredible cruelty and suffering currently unfolding, there have always been humans who hope, who long for peace, and struggle for justice. There have always been people who believe in love and do, in fact, love. If we look further than mainstream media, we can see their beautiful lives that we can all emulate.
I’m not sure how yet, but this inspires me. I choose love. I want to love.
