I recently read an editorial from Mitch Daniels whose biography includes being the Governor of Indiana and the President of Purdue University. In the opinion piece he wonders if the world is headed for an epochal change in the next ten years or so. He points out the cyclical nature of history in which exceedingly difficult times impact every person on the globe followed by a major shift forward in how we operate together as humans sharing the same planet. He notes that these kind of convulsions arrive about every eighty to one hundred years. He uses the revolutions that created the United States and democracies in France and England as an example of such seismic transformations. In the more modern era he relates how two world wars and a devastating depression led to the dramatic changes of the New Deal.
It is an interesting theory to consider that we humans have to endure cataclysmic events before we become willing to work together to pull ourselves out of the depths. it’s an idea that has been bandied about for centuries. Nonetheless I wonder why the shared experience of a worldwide pandemic did not have the effect of helping us to see more of what we share in common with people across the globe rather than ending up creating so much division. Is it because we have not yet suffered enough to realize that it is in our best interest as humans to work together rather than war amongst ourselves?
Do we really have to put our hands into a fire and get burned before we realize the danger of our conflicts with each other? Surely we are learned enough to know that the be all and end all of existence does not lie in constantly competing to one up each other. Instead the most glorious moments are those in which we set forth to champion the good of everyone. It does not have to be a dreary experience requiring us to put in more effort or more of our wealth to level the playing field for everyone. We don’t even have to aim for perfection in creating our goals for the world. What we do have to be willing to do is share our ideas, talents and resources in manner that dignifies the existence of every person. We have to focus more on the concept that all people are created equal and less on the adoration of money and power in the hands of the few.
We would do well to consider how our actions will impact the future rather than doing things the same old ways because we won’t be around to witness that future. A bit of sacrifice, generosity and understanding would serve the world better than constantly fighting over the resources that we have. We have to ask ourselves what we might do not just to better our own lives, but also those of the less fortunate.
I watched a movie on Netflix about the disaster in Bhopal, India in 1984. In December of that year an explosion inside the Union Carbide plant built in the middle of the town spewed forth a deadly gas that killed thousands of people and produced devastating effects that have lasted to this very day. What happened there was an example of hubris and greed.
Because the production of a pesticide known as MIC did not result in projected sales the plant essentially became a neglected storage facility of a chemical that was known to be highly toxic and deadly. With faulty and failing equipment it was almost inevitable that there would one day be a disaster and yet worship of the bottom line kept the company executives from spending dollars for the needed repairs and training of the workers. The resulting catastrophe was literally a crime against humanity, but few of the players were ever held responsible for what had happened. In fact, the abandoned plant still sits rusting alongside the shanties where people live. No clean up of the land or water has ever been initiated. Meanwhile the world simply looks the other way and shrug its shoulders as though it is none of our business.
Such attitudes toward our planet and its people are as toxic and deadly as a cloud of MIC gas. When we ignore suffering in this world we are complicit. We no longer have the excuse that we just did not know what was happening beyond our own neighborhoods. We get the news twenty four hours a day. We see the inhumanity in living color. Pretending that it is not there should no longer be an option. We really do need to ask ourselves what we might do the help with the cause. Perhaps that would mean sharing a bit more of our wealth or offering our talents or even our time to do the right thing. Mostly it would mean being willing to work together and to compromise and sacrifice as needed.
It’s doubtful that we will ever create a world without war or poverty or injustice but we have certainly made strides over time. We can’t just pat ourselves on the back when we address one problem and then sit back and ignore others. As humans we should be constantly engaged in an effort to move toward a more equitable and peaceful world. It begins by repairing fissures in our own backyard and supporting good people whose intention is to work for everyone rather than a single group. We shun anyone who strives to keep us at odds or we may face the kind of cataclysmic problems that Mitch Daniels predicts. We have the opportunity to change our history. Why would would pass on such a challenge? We are not bound to repeat history. We can create the kind of place where we all want to live without being pushed by horrific events.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 