Of late, I have been seeing a similarity of issues raised in several books of differing genres. It is an unsettling presentation of issues which afflict our nation, issues which have given rise to and grown from a sense of disconnectedness rife among the population of America. It is a loss of faith in ourselves, a lack of hope that we can realistically make a proper correction in our present trajectory. It is a lack of hope, a deep divide and a sense of resignation that nothing will ever get better. Even should the tide change, and roles exchanged, nothing will have changed for the better as the ugliness of revenge upon others, upon innocents, will raise its ugly head and all the "sound and fury" will, in reality, amount to "signifying nothing".
It appears that not only has this souring of America affected the lay population, so to speak, but also the literary and creative worlds have given in or given up. Does it even matter? Personally, I have found it to be extremely disconcerting. The creative world has long been the impetus of change, of progress, pointing out the zits on the face of society throughout the history humankind. However, today, based on what I have come across, there is a great discarding of positive impetus. Rather, the sense and smell of defeat runs rampant in that creative community, the air acidic in its ceding of hope of any possibility to do better, be better.
In a sorry turn of events this community has turned on itself, to the point of collusion with the forces of evil, joined the "Dark Side", overcoming hope and 'good' with nary a Jedi nor Baby Yoda in sight. This sourness, this growing loneliness as we divide ourselves into sects of hate and viciousness, only feeds the weak within us. We dehumanize the 'other' to make ourselves feel better, more powerful, of more consequence, but it does not. In so doing, we dehumanize ourselves.
When the creative community turns, be it in pictorial, written, or oral presentation, it matters not a whit. Instead, we get a plethora of "hail mary" attitude and "last ditch" efforts, all contaminated with a sense of doom. We are warned that no one in space will hear the screams of pain we inflict on each other, the cruelty of oppression of political or religious origin. That matters not as the outcome is the same. Terms such as "christofascists' scare the heck out of me, as we even condone suppression of those within our own religions should they differ in some manner or other. Or simply indulge our baser traits.
I need that creativity to remain positive, at least optimistic, hopeful, leading the way, demonstrating the way. We cannot have conversations such as two characters have.
"What's the solution?"
"A practical one?... I don't know, but we'd better find one quick."
"Are we done then?"
"As a nation? We might be. But maybe not. We survived our first civil war. No law says we won't survive our second."
The answer, folks, is within us, our hearts, souls and a shared determination. One which concedes that hate does not work. That we are all one. That we are together on this planet, burning up with both the heat of Nature and the heat of hatred.
We must do better, together. There are too many waiting for us to repair our bleeding world. To ensure their future and indeed, the future of humanity. Of this planet we share - together.
This can only be achieved one way. That is to put aside grievances that endanger our future and that of this planet we share - together.
To acknowledge that there is shared right and wrong in every disagreement. To know deep down that there must be compromises from all sides, though never with evil.
This can only be possible if we totally understand the danger awaiting, imminent if we do not accept the necessity, the value, the importance of the concept of "together" of 'togetherness". It won't be easy, but nevertheless, the longer we wait to comprehend and internalize, the less likely our survival.
Together and together to rebuild America.
Together. Together. Together.
Together we can
HEAL THE WORLD.
HEAL YITZY!
Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah
May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu.
May he be granted a timely and complete healing.
May he always remain on the road of faith, healing and strength.
May we all walk on that same road.
May Hashem hear all our voices raised in prayer.
Amen. Amen.
Together is the only way.
cmporsie,anda fue canbachevd.
tohrhristheonlywaybleft tosu.
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