There are few choices when one is basically confined to one place in which to exist. Sure, one can schedule exciting journeys and outings such as to a grocery store or post office or be lucky enough to have the ability to take a walk in suitable weather. But really, what else? Read a book. Read many books. Watch Tivo or straight TV or streaming. Or gulp! The boredom induced project tackling.
Warning: A project of any consequence is dangerous to one's sanity and one had better be careful about estimation of time, energy, and actual will power to stick to it, from onset to completion. Full disclosure - we have an ongoing problem with books. They multiply by themselves in the nooks and crannies, shelves and tables, in our home. We compound that effect by buying or obtaining even more. Consequently, we took on the project of seeking, evaluating and elimination of those books. Bad move!! Now what do I do with ten large boxes of all types of books and there are many more shelves to tackle! Beware!
During this project we often stopped to read some fascinating book or other and then would put it on the keep pile. Dumb, very dumb. Negates the whole aim of the project. And we took necessary breaks during which, many times, we - naturally - sat down with a book or two or three - get the point?! One book, a new one, is well worth reading. It is called Serenade for Nadia by Livaneli and it induces moments of thought, moments of questions, moments of despair, moments of triumphant humanity, and moments of disturbing truths. Read it and think.
The storyline, the plot, is fascinating by itself, but the questions it raises are, to put it mildly, disturbing to complacency. Truth. Just and Justice. Right. Power. Force. The role of government in human society. Echoes of history tumbling, shrieking, down the halls of time. Moments of wondering if and when we will ever learn to get it right or are we perpetually doomed to repeat ad infinitum, progress ruined eventually by backsliding people and states.
Think about it. Who or what is the general rule of thumb in government. It is generally the strong, the powerful, the unjust. Even if pursuing justice prior to leadership position, power and selfishness, the ignoring of justice and humanity, grows apace and the leadership turns unjust, justice slain along the way.
Why does this happen? Why do we struggle so hard to improve living conditions, foster and defend progressive thoughts, dreams and actions, then suddenly turn on it all and fall for a leader of dubious goals and aims, dreams of power, total power, total control, hope falling by the wayside. History is rife with the rise and fall of dictators, the 'surprises' that befall us, as we allow it! As WE allow it.
The basic questions here revolve around justice, being just, having power. Is power good? Maybe? But generally, as we all know, power does corrupt. Just take a gander through history or a walk through the halls of the countries of the world, and yes, folks, right here in the United States of America. Chart the growth of dictators, the rise to the top of those most enmeshed in Power, the loss of Justice, an inevitable part of the rise of power as a goal, THE goal. Power, by definition, is unjust. Being Just and Justice are not often the power retainers in society. And we, the people of the world, suffer the consequences as history repeats itself, echoes with heartrending decisions and paths that should never have been taken.
We allow this to happen. At times it appears that we actually want, crave, this to happen. We are in a bad time, or perilous times, and we need, with physical, mental and emotional needs, that Power to rule over us. We cede liberties. We lose our way. We destroy the footprints that would take us back to Justice. Not good, Not conducive to hope.
According to this book one can believe, understand, infer, that we are in such a time period. We elected - or did not - a supposed leader who is harmful, even the enemy of, progress and Justice. We have a leader who challenges, pushes the envelope every single day, every hour of the day, in a desperate negative path. Demands Power. Total control. Is not shy of making that demand in those very words. He attacks the media, the very tool of either spreading Justice and Truth or enhancing the evil side of Power, championing only those segments of media which parrot his words.
He threatens to dismantle the government, shutting down the Legislative branch, already infiltrated the Judicial branch to a frightening degree. He displays little empathy or even a modicum of understanding of the plight of humans and the needs which must be addressed. Justice? A foreign concept. To be kept out by walls, real and invisible. Progress? To be rolled back. Voting rights, human rights? A thing of the past as quickly as possibe. Hope. goodness? To be dispensed with and promptly. Rules for society? Not for him and his, as they assume that they are, by virtue of their position in the ranks of society, above the law.
While the book does not whitewash the issues nor absolve modern governments of all sins, assuming they have finally learned something, anything, there is a growing element of hope. The protagonist in the novel actually grows as a person, manages to counter the evil moves of Power, combat it with Justice, not always, but often enough. The novel ends on a note of hope, a note, literally and figuratively, even as some truths are recognized as they are in perpetuity if we so allow it, take the easy, but damaging path over the more challenging one.
Justice apparently is weaker than power so we evidently must make Power Just. Not an easy task, if it is even able to be accomplished and kept intact. But we must try. We must take those hard steps, the ones where we feel as if we are pulling the load of humanity and its future, alone. Sometimes we are. But we must fight for it, hope for it, demand it and defend it.
Interestingly, Beyonce had it right when she closed her segment in a Disney Sing-along with these words:
“Please hold onto your families tight. Be safe, don’t give up. We’re going to get through this, I promise. God bless you.”
Take these words into your hearts, burn them and the efforts needed into your minds and souls. Cherish the rights we have and insure their permanence. Our future depends on it.
In the meanwhile, stay well. Be safe.
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