The Moral Moment

We are at a turning point, a crossroads, a moral moment – in which we will either take an ethical stand or not.

There is no compromise.

Our current trend is the actions and agenda of a small but violent minority who have both a history of and permission to hate, kill, and oppress. They have a seal of approval from our government, some comrades who wear badges, and acquiescence by the silent ones who are in denial or who are apathetic because they think it doesn’t affect them. 

That’s the current state of the union.

It’s overwhelming to face the assault from so many sides. I’m old and I’m tired. I can’t walk to rallies or march or travel to gatherings, but I can talk, and I can write.

We have a moral imperative to make America ethical and kind again. (Can we say “again”? Racists have always been around, and Nazis have been around for decades. Because they hid in the shadows or got away with crimes, enabled by laws or by common practice, doesn’t mean they weren’t there. Nor does it mean we were “great” or “ethical” at those times.)

In the past, passive people were like many now: people who weren’t hostile or violent but didn’t challenge themselves to face their biases. They may not have been active haters, but they were passively complicit.

The good news is that many people are thinking like me. They realize this can’t go on and they want to do something about it - something different, something effective, and they know it is urgent.

Jews, Christians, Muslims, humanists, and others have had events to address the hate and killings. They have written about it, encouraging ethics and peaceful protests. I couldn’t possibly recount here all the many articles and actions and discussions of those who resist the hate - prompted by the horror of a bully president and the hate groups who have been emboldened. I can only say it is very encouraging.

We must follow up on all these thoughts or they will just remain nice ideas. Everyone plays a part in it. White people need to talk to other white people about racism (any person of color already knows racism is systemic and rampant). We need to call each other out on statements or actions that – intentionally or not – support a racist mentality or, indeed, any bias against someone different from ourselves.

People must stand up for both their rights as well as others’ rights – which is already happening nationwide.

Find those who agree and nurture those relationships. Start neighborhood projects or movements. Even informal discussions that are frank and encouraging could foster a change of mind in someone. Do whatever little bit you can.

If the bad guys win in a nation of laws, we played a part in it.

As an aside, I no longer believe we can change the world or save it, but we can save ourselves and be the positive, motivating force in our small circles. The rippling effect could surprise even me.