"EVERYTHING NAILED DOWN IS COMING LOOSE"
So lamented the angel Gabriel in the play, Green Pastures.
Looking down on all the chaotic and contentious conduct of mortals, he often implored the Almighty to let him blow his trumpet and put an end to the whole sorry mess of the human experiment. Each time the Lawd instructed him, 'not yet'.
Hence the angel's lament.
If Ecclesiastes is correct that 'there is nothing new under the sun',
Gabriel's observation foreshadowed many repetitions. Fifty-two years ago (almost to this date), American scholar Marshall Fishwick wrote in The Saturday Review (6/29/63) about the "ever fluctuating formula of history". He sought to identify 'changeless things' within that phenomenon. A year later, Bob Dylan wrote the anthem of the '60's, The Times They are a Changing. Then, of course, there followed 'Nam, assassinations, the pill, political upheavals, Woodstock and events forever associated with that era.
If there is a constant within the human story it is change. And, CHANGE provokes an array of human reactions and responses (not necessarily the same thing. But that for another time.) Things can seem to rock along with hardly a ripple for extended periods and then comes a tipping point and nothing is ever the same thereafter.
The past two weeks rank among the more transitional in recent times. Predictably, voices and opinions across the political, religious and social spectrum have either applauded or attacked.
Perhaps the 'tipping point' was the nine murders at the Charleston Bible Study. Despite what some pundits allege, this was not an attack on 'Religion' even given the venue in which it occurred. Subsequent information makes clear that it was motivated by racial hatred.
"Take down the flag" has been a significant aftermath. Whatever else the 'Stars and Bars' may have meant in the 1860's (and to me as an academically trained historian, it was racial at its core even though many Confederate soldiers owned no slaves), since World War II the banner has become the symbol for opposition to civil rights. Well overdue, politicians and other public figures have discovered the hurtfulness which that symbol carries for substantial numbers of the human race.
Then this week in rapid succession, the Supreme Court of the United States issued opinions on two polarizing subjects . . . 'Obamacare' and 'Same Sex Marriage'. I think the word obfuscation aptly defines much of what has since occurred : "a practice that is used to intentionally make something more difficult to understand". (This from the on-line dictionary Tech Target). Honest differences of opinion are essential for a free society. But, good grief, there has been a lot of name-calling, holier-than- thou, and finger-pointing posturing, as well as just plain hypocrisy by many.
In his book, The True Believer, the late Eric Hoffer noted that "hatred is the most accessible and comprehensive of all unifying agents." In hearing and reading much of the rhetoric of recent days, I am hard-pressed not to see much demonizing occurring. And, I have no doubt that electioneering 'speeches' and posturing raise the temperature.
Unquestionably, throughout our relatively short history, citizens and residents of the United States of America have experienced a quality and quantity of life's gifts quite different from those known in other parts of the world. Out of that grew the notion of "American Exceptionalism" . . . that somehow America was God's chosen and special place. While I am grateful to have lived my life here and consider myself 'patriotic', I still find such a notion of extra God-blessed-ness rather arrogant. Yet, there it is from many of those who say things such as 'God is going to get us' because of this or that decision. Contrary to a lot of mis-interpretation, this country specifically was not founded as a 'Christian' nation. I think it was H.L. Mencken who observed that "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" --- hardly the same as implying that all patriots are rascals
When I was in Graduate School for my History PhD, one course in particular sought to examine the currents and counter-currents of the American 1920's . . . a particularly "things coming loose" era. (My major professor, George Mowry, published an aptly title book of that time, Fords, Flappers and Fanatics.) Along with all the changes occurring in those years, Professor Miller also called attention to the many reactionary events. Likening society to a "package", he adroitly noted that for many, "the looser the package, the greater the need to tie the strings tighter," implying 'nail them down'.
Where, then, is there an 'anchor' in the midst of all this . . . without being either simplistic or Pollyanna-ish ? We deceive ourselves if we deny that there is a 'force', a 'vested interest', call it what you might, that is Evil and deeply institutionally intertwined.
Something on the Internet caught my eye today: a tad overly optimistic but at least a good beginning: "We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another." And, at least in many facets of life, "live and let live" does not mean 'selling out' of values. Somethings are very much in the public interest or domain . . Racism being a huge one. In other matters, somethings are just none of my (and perhaps your) business.
Satchel
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