I am with you on all counts. I live in western Maine, in a tiny hamlet, in the woods, I have watched everything you say as it unfolds, thinking the same things.
First, I want to say there are organizations for reparations for the Native Americans, e.g., LANDBACK and First Light (https://firstlightlearningjourney.net/).
I've been thinking about all the issues you're talking about probably my whole adult life. I was an activist for decades and found that once you get to politics, people's attitudes are set in stone, you can't move them. The Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh discovered this in the '60s and changed course to address people's core values, on an individual basis, and I do think this is the best way but it's a very slow process, as people will only change if they feel a need to change. The real war is cultural and it has to do with our narratives, and narratives have to do with community. If you change your mind and reject the narratives of your family and friends — your "tribe" — you risk ostracism or worse. It can be dangerous to change your worldview and people sense that at a deep level so most have tremendous resistance against changing it. I have spent my life working on how to overcome this resistance.
I have found that most people I've met on the left and right agree on most basic values, but their narratives of how to get there could not be more different.
You must know the Native story about the man with two wolf pups, one evil, one good, which will grow bigger? the one he feeds. Trump's popularity comes from the fact that it's easier to destroy than to build, easier to deflect blame onto those already marginalized and powerless than to fix power hierarchies and systems that ensure the poor and powerless stay poor and powerless. Easier to disrespect and destroy than to respect and nurture.
And it comes down to two worldviews: kill or be killed vs the rising tide raises all boats. Destruction vs nurture.
If people think you're trying to change their worldview, they shut their ears and you're locked out. If you want to change them, you have to avoid all triggers and meet them at a point where you can agree, and then work from there, subtly. If you're a cultural warrior, you can change minds, but you have to avoid codified terms and tropes, which are land mines.
Really the right medium to use is film but I'm not a filmmaker. The reason why film is so good is that you have the time to build a story gradually, lead your viewer in gently. Fiction would be just as good if more people read but most people don't read. Songs can be effective but mostly at giving heart to the choir. Same with photography. I'm a painter and my whole life I've been fighting the good fight but what I find is that with a still medium you have to be very, very subtle so as not to throw up your viewer's defenses. I am trying to open a crack of empathy, a crack of doubt, so the words of someone who uses facts, a historian or a journalist, can widen that crack. Most of the painters I know simply reinforce the status quo.
The world likes its hierarchical structure as it is thank you very much and does not want to change. Way more people cooperate in their own and others' dehumanization than try to do something about it, because the punishments for waking up are draconian.
I think something terrible is coming, massive death and destruction, but that small bands will survive, and that the survivors will be the ones who help each other, and help the planet heal.
Wow. Great reflections Shelah. Your observations about how hard it is to change another's worldview are so right on. And your observation about the cost of disagreeing with the tribe is so chillingly true. That's why a small, grassroots organization is a good place to work...in connection with others in the organization who can support you. Nice to know you are out there, an ally!!
I’m so happy to read your heartfelt essays again, Kathleen. Now I have something special to wake up to on Sundays! Finally, we have a Third Act working group here in New Hampshire. I’m on the coordinating committee. We launched a little over a week ago. There is so much to be done.
Hello Nancy! Indeed your comment was part of the fertilizer that helped get this life form up and into the atmosphere. And I love being in connection with you around writing!! Thank you.
glad to hear from you again...I enjoy your thoughtfulness....Grandmother. Woodchuck title reminds me of the Old Mother West stories by Thornton Burgess that I read my 4 kids and now 6 grandchildren...All of nature has a place and purpose missed by too many...like your soft urgency...hope lots listen...best, chuck glassmire
Happy to see you here again, Kathleen. I look forward to your Sunday morning posts. The long view. Perspective. Wonder. Commitment. Thank you. Much needed. (Did my comment to you at Messiah Multiplied help to tip you over the edge? Probably not. But I like to think so!) I look forward to following your work again.
I am with you on all counts. I live in western Maine, in a tiny hamlet, in the woods, I have watched everything you say as it unfolds, thinking the same things.
First, I want to say there are organizations for reparations for the Native Americans, e.g., LANDBACK and First Light (https://firstlightlearningjourney.net/).
I've been thinking about all the issues you're talking about probably my whole adult life. I was an activist for decades and found that once you get to politics, people's attitudes are set in stone, you can't move them. The Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh discovered this in the '60s and changed course to address people's core values, on an individual basis, and I do think this is the best way but it's a very slow process, as people will only change if they feel a need to change. The real war is cultural and it has to do with our narratives, and narratives have to do with community. If you change your mind and reject the narratives of your family and friends — your "tribe" — you risk ostracism or worse. It can be dangerous to change your worldview and people sense that at a deep level so most have tremendous resistance against changing it. I have spent my life working on how to overcome this resistance.
I have found that most people I've met on the left and right agree on most basic values, but their narratives of how to get there could not be more different.
You must know the Native story about the man with two wolf pups, one evil, one good, which will grow bigger? the one he feeds. Trump's popularity comes from the fact that it's easier to destroy than to build, easier to deflect blame onto those already marginalized and powerless than to fix power hierarchies and systems that ensure the poor and powerless stay poor and powerless. Easier to disrespect and destroy than to respect and nurture.
And it comes down to two worldviews: kill or be killed vs the rising tide raises all boats. Destruction vs nurture.
If people think you're trying to change their worldview, they shut their ears and you're locked out. If you want to change them, you have to avoid all triggers and meet them at a point where you can agree, and then work from there, subtly. If you're a cultural warrior, you can change minds, but you have to avoid codified terms and tropes, which are land mines.
Really the right medium to use is film but I'm not a filmmaker. The reason why film is so good is that you have the time to build a story gradually, lead your viewer in gently. Fiction would be just as good if more people read but most people don't read. Songs can be effective but mostly at giving heart to the choir. Same with photography. I'm a painter and my whole life I've been fighting the good fight but what I find is that with a still medium you have to be very, very subtle so as not to throw up your viewer's defenses. I am trying to open a crack of empathy, a crack of doubt, so the words of someone who uses facts, a historian or a journalist, can widen that crack. Most of the painters I know simply reinforce the status quo.
The world likes its hierarchical structure as it is thank you very much and does not want to change. Way more people cooperate in their own and others' dehumanization than try to do something about it, because the punishments for waking up are draconian.
I think something terrible is coming, massive death and destruction, but that small bands will survive, and that the survivors will be the ones who help each other, and help the planet heal.
That Natives know this. They've seen it before.
Nice to know you're out there, an ally.
Wow. Great reflections Shelah. Your observations about how hard it is to change another's worldview are so right on. And your observation about the cost of disagreeing with the tribe is so chillingly true. That's why a small, grassroots organization is a good place to work...in connection with others in the organization who can support you. Nice to know you are out there, an ally!!
Grateful for your Presence, once again.
With you, your Mother spirit, this earth. Thank you for locating the words and the action.
Hello Colleen! So nice to find you here.
Eastern Rose that blooms in Winter,
Sweet Afton from the coastal shores,
Gladden our hearts with your bright blooms...
❤️
Good to "hear" your voice again, Kathleen!
I’m so happy to read your heartfelt essays again, Kathleen. Now I have something special to wake up to on Sundays! Finally, we have a Third Act working group here in New Hampshire. I’m on the coordinating committee. We launched a little over a week ago. There is so much to be done.
Hello Linda! Congratulations on TA NH. Great to know it's up and running and you with it!! See you next Sunday. Thanks for coming back!
k
Welcome Back, Kathleen, with your insights and questions and heart. I'm so glad to read you.
So glad you’re back, Kathleen! Yes, stories and wonder -- both wells of hope! Thank you.
Hello Nancy! Indeed your comment was part of the fertilizer that helped get this life form up and into the atmosphere. And I love being in connection with you around writing!! Thank you.
glad to hear from you again...I enjoy your thoughtfulness....Grandmother. Woodchuck title reminds me of the Old Mother West stories by Thornton Burgess that I read my 4 kids and now 6 grandchildren...All of nature has a place and purpose missed by too many...like your soft urgency...hope lots listen...best, chuck glassmire
Happy to see you here again, Kathleen. I look forward to your Sunday morning posts. The long view. Perspective. Wonder. Commitment. Thank you. Much needed. (Did my comment to you at Messiah Multiplied help to tip you over the edge? Probably not. But I like to think so!) I look forward to following your work again.