The danger in "othering" played out both large and small--




I started this morning by first putting in a load of laundry and starting the dishwasher. Then, I settled in with a cup of coffee to read Heather Cox Richardson's daily essay, this time about the creeping diplomatic shuffle in Gaza. What appalls me is that any group of human beings can declare that another group should live or die, and in Netanyahu's case, that Palestinians don't actually exist. It's like how Putin declares that Ukraine and its native inhabitants don't exist as a separate and distinct people/country. Talk about "cancel culture"-- it's upsetting, to say the least. 

It's not just "over there" (where ever "there" is)-- it is right here, too. Demonizing other human beings and "othering" them is nothing new, but gee, don't you think we'd see this evil and destructive pattern and finally, FINALLY, reject such ignorant behavior? And yes, there are times when I do the same-- usually temporary, usually in the heat of a moment, maybe when I'm watching a sporting event (those damn Yankees, for example). There are very few groups that I would tar and feather en masse, in the final analysis. But I have to admit, too, to feeling like there are self-righteous groups and prominent people who have it in for me, for those I love, for what I hold dear-- and that's a microcosm of what is going on globally, right? 

I don't mind differences of opinion, and I welcome intelligent discourse and debate. I do not appreciate it when one group disallows the existence of another. We all exist on this spinning blue marble, and we are all facing larger issues like I've written about before: climate emergencies, food insecurity, diseases, etc. Wouldn't it be refreshing if, as a human community, we could focus our time, treasure, and talent on making life a little easier--? To sustaining our actual existence? 

But no, there are strong men all over the globe, and in our own country, who want to eradicate the "other" because...they don't like them?

Ignorant. Spiteful. And very dangerous.

Have a good day,

C


Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Popular posts from this blog

My book is featured today on Finishing Line Press-- please share the info and the fun!

Image
NEW FROM FINISHING LINE PRESS:  What to Keep   by Carlene M. Gadapee On SALE :     https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/what-to-keep-by-carlene-m-gadapee/   What to Keep  is a collection of keen #observations: choices made, minor regrets, small successes, and questions asked. There aren’t always answers to the questions, but the #poems in this collection explore the particular things and #experiences that lead us to them. Readers are invited into the poet-speaker’s musings about #childhood, of #family, of #companionship, and of #loss. We follow the speaker as she walks through time: capturing minnows, high school crushes and college mistakes, #marriage, the deaths of parents, and finally, a note of hope for the future, whatever it may have in store. In the end, “what to keep” becomes what remains, what is precious, and what forms the foundation of a #life filled with joy, sorrow, and finally, of contentment.   A poet-teacher both by vocation...
Read more

Keep good thoughts, please...

Image
If you've been following along the blog this summer, then you probably already know that today, G has surgery on his foot to (we pray) correct the ongoing injury so that it will finally heal. If you are a praying person, please keep him in yours. It has been a very long summer of "hurry up and wait" and he's anxious and growly, and he wants to get back to doing. To get back to work. To stop sitting and thinking about all of it.  I'll be online in my writing conference (isn't it always the way, things have to collide like this?), but since it's day surgery, I should have an update early on. Thank God for Meg, as she is running point on the medical side of things.  I hope I have good news to share tomorrow.  C
Read more

More prayers-- there's so much to pray for--

Image
Hey folks, things are unsettled --even more than they have been-- and your prayers, good thoughts, and positive vibes are needed and welcome. Geoff continues to heal (we hope), but that road is rocky and uncertain. He's pretty much out of commission for the foreseeable future, even though he *thinks* he can do more than he is supposed to. Crutches are a pain, but are critically necessary. Thus, he has next to no practical mobility. Tim is back in hospital in Boston, and they will be trying to ascertain the source of the fever he's running and has been for a couple of days now. I have zero idea what is up, but we pray it's not another huge hurdle. Meg is doing her best, but it ain't easy. She's headed to Boston in a few hours, and we hope she'll be able to come home in a few days. She is once again not able to get to go to work, so help is always appreciated. G and I have Holly, a friend of Meg's has the new puppy, and we're just gonna do our best.  The r...
Read more