A CROSSROADS FOR COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY
A national news show host starts her program with “Let’s Get Smarter!” I like that. A crisp challenge that complements the Mosey admonition. We know what we’ve done. We know what we’ve not done. We know what’s been done to us. We The People let down our guard over several years, and the bad gals and guys muscled into the vacuum. The past few years gave us a rotten governance cake, and the pandemic provided the deadly, distracting, and dysfunctional icing that topped off our un-appetizing “pastry.”
The issues are many, but our resilience and resourcefulness are significant… if we’ll rise to our occasion. We’re better than the blaming rationales, rigid ideologies, labels, lies, intellectual laziness, corporate avoidance and media timidity that serve us poorly… when we need character, courage and collaborative community re-building. Lots of learning curves and opportunities for transformational civic engagement. And many examples of thoughtful templates to guide and inspire us. From thought leaders…past and present.
A Timeless Reflection from Langston Hughes…
OUR CHALLENGES ARE MYRIAD, BUT MOST ARE NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Let’s leave the “rocket science” to Bezos, Musk and Spielberg. We mortals can address the more down-to-earth challenges of education, economic development, job re-training, infrastructure, accessible/affordable healthcare, energy options, community policing, immigration, social justice, environmental integrity, international diplomacy, voting rights, student debt, etc., etc. Lots of issues, but we’ve got lots of creative/collaborative potential… if we can summon the will.
From Artist Glenn Ligon… Based on Muhammad Ali quote…Studio Museum of Harlem
THE PITTSBURGH BRIDGE METAPHOR
I believe in un-coincidental coincidences. The collapse of the Pittsburgh bridge is a perfect metaphor for our cumulative civic challenge. Something originally created with pride and workmanship, then neglected long past its “sell-by date.” A lack of bureaucratic supervision almost led to the deaths of many citizens. City/County/State staff, elected officials and voters being complicit. Like the Flint water supply… Like our schools, healthcare, environment, social justice, gun laws, governance…you get my drift. Lack of governmental accountability…improving when progressive action reflects the desire, responsibility and values of We The People.
From The LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin
LET’S MAKE THIS NEW YEAR ONE OF POSITIVE RECLAMATION
We SHOULD be smarter, from lessons learned during the previous national administration, and from personal experience in States reeling from incompetent leadership…like Texas. Our forced reflective time from the extended Covid experience has given us the opportunity to revisit all of our behavioral models…from our homes, offices and the broader community. Faith-based organizations, business and non-profit leaders, local media and community activists can create collaborative partnerships to address our significant community challenges.
We’re better than this, aren’t we? No, this is exactly who we are until we decide we want better…and work for same…TOGETHER.
These are tough, but hopeful times. I’ve found this Brene Brown reflection helpful…Enjoy!
