Lessons from the Hard Times: The Election Edition

PART 3 ARTICLE 2 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER

Hard times often teach us our most valuable lessons. In the wake of the recent election, as grief and fear weigh heavily on the minds of many,  these lessons resonate louder than ever. 

Over the past few days, I’ve reflected on how much I love our country and how deeply grateful I am for the life it has given me.  Never dismissing the horrible and hateful parts of our long history, from which we have yet to learn, we must give serious consideration as to how we might rise to meet the challenges ahead. 

While the initial wave of grief is natural and justified, it must ultimately lead us to action. When we find our footing again, each of us has a responsibility to contribute to the greater good in whatever way we can.

Beyond Anger and Blame

It’s tempting to react to our political frustrations with anger or even hatred toward those who support opposing views. However, history has shown us how little is gained from this approach. If anything, the last decade has made clear the limitations and danger of combative rhetoric.

Instead, my reflections lead me to consider the human ego, not as a villain, but as a fundamental aspect of our nature. Our egos are essential to our survival, driving progress and innovation.

Yet, when unchecked, they can steer us toward aggression, jealousy, hatred and a destructive zero-sum mindset where someone else’s gain is of necessity our loss.

This distortion primes us for manipulation. Politicians and media figures exploit our insecurities, stoking fear and division to serve their agendas. This isn’t new. It’s a pattern deeply rooted in human history.

Many, including myself, have directed our anger and disgust directly at Mr. Trump and sadly, by extension, at everyone who supports him. Although he is the perfect executor of the hate campaign targeting the fears encompassed by our egos, this did not start with him.  The clearest modern example began in the nineties with figures like Rush Limbaugh and Rupert Murdoch’s vast media empire that by igniting the most dangerous potential of our egos  has taken these tactics to unprecedented levels.

The Divisive Power of Fear

This fear-driven narrative teaches us to mistrust and despise those who differ from us by race, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status. The ego’s need to feel superior convinces us that we have the right to defame anyone who is different whether they be LGBTQ, severely handicapped or just “other”.

Immigrants are cast as threats, the poor as burdens, and women, particularly educated ones, as adversaries to a patriarchal status quo.  The greatest disdain is reserved for educated liberals who have always posed the greatest threat to maintaining the ugly status quo. 

This toxic messaging convinces us to direct our anger and frustration at one another diverting attention from the powerful as they pursue their own selfish ego-centric goals.

Understanding this dynamic helps me soften my anger toward Trump supporters. Many of them, especially those facing financial hardship, are grappling with real pain. The pandemic and economic instability have amplified their struggles, leaving them vulnerable to fear-based propaganda.

Being told that educated liberals have had everything handed to them, have never experienced extreme poverty or instability, we are positioned to oppose one another.  Somehow, Democrats have failed miserably in communicating that we truly value and want to elevate the standing of everyone, especially the middle class of which most of us are members. 

A Call for Compassion

When we allow our egos to be inflamed by fear and hate, we all lose. The rich and powerful thrive in the chaos, while the rest of us are left to pick up the pieces. To counter this, we must reject hate as a guiding force. Compassion, not only for those who align with us but also for those who oppose us, is the key to healing.

This isn’t a call to passivity or naivety. Compassion doesn’t mean ignoring injustice or abandoning our values. It means standing firm for what is right without succumbing to the corrosive forces of hatred. It means supporting the most vulnerable, the poor, immigrants, marginalized communities and also recognizing the humanity of those who seem like our enemies.

A Path Forward

In the wake of this election, I am heartened by the integrity and creativity displayed by the losing side of the election.  Despite their disappointment, they haven’t succumbed to a hell-scape mentality.  There seems to be a creative and thoughtful movement afoot, reminding us that integrity still reigns and we must never lose sight of it.  If we do, we will have truly lost. While despair is natural, it is not a strategy. We must channel our grief into action, driven by hope and guided by compassion. 

The road ahead will not be easy. We face entrenched systems of power and an ideological divide that seems insurmountable. But history reminds us that progress is possible when we refuse to lose sight of our shared humanity. Love and connection remain the most powerful antidotes to fear and division.

Let us honor our collective potential by striving for peace, justice, and universal love. The stakes are high, but the opportunity to create a better world is worth every effort.

 I share this with hope and unwavering concern for our country.

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