"There's Nothing New Under the Sun"...But There Can Be and Must Be

"There's nothing new under the sun:. It's a familiar bromide. 

It captures enormous truth, of course. I am reminded of this again this week as I see how the  words of ex-President Trump, angrily and contemptuously denouncing immigrants as "venomous poison",  mirror almost word for word assertions by George Wallace and the leader of the Second Klu Klux Klan decades ago. This reminds me-there have always been leaders and there will always be leaders who are willing to fuel and live off the inveterate human tendency of people to see ourselves as victims...to elevate their view of their self worth by comparing themselves to a declared undeserving "other". 

Yet, with determined and principled leadership it does not have to be this way. In fact, we cannot allow it to be this way. To be sure, we do have to understand the source of people's grievances. We need to understand what corrective action can and should be taken to address them. But we need to stand up for the best in human nature..the recognition we are all on this journey of life together and should recognize each other, indeed recognize all people as deserving our respect for their dignity and right to freedom. 

People did eventually stand up to reject the hateful rhetoric and views of George Wallace and the Klan. But not before they had gained broad public support. Wallace received almost 10 million votes and won five southern states in the 1968 Presidential election. The Second Klan claimed membership by numerous mayors of cities and state governors. But ultimately, their divisive rhetoric and unsubstantiated accusations and claims brought them down.

Sadly, we have not yet had  unified Republican and other political voices (including from men and women who know better) rejecting the hateful rhetoric and views of Trump as they ultimately did those of Wallace and the Klan and Senator Joe McCarthy. The day will come when I feel certain historians, social commentators and the public at large will look back almost with a sense of wonder at how circumstances arose which allowed the emergence of a man of  such feckless character and mean spirit as Donald Trump to capture the heart and mind of the Republican party. I hope we will learn from this experience. 

Stepping back, I am affirmed how much of the best in civilization has "been new under the sun". A reading from Exodus in my church today referred to "slaves" as a normal expected segment in society. In fact. as late as the beginning of the 18th Century slavery was legal in every country throughout the Americas. Median span of life has nearly doubled over this same period. At the turn of the 20th century, women did not have the right to vote in most western nations, including the US. As late as the 1970's and even beyond LGBQT members in this country were ostracized and had to live under cover. 

Yes, progress is possible--though there will always be push back which if we fail to confront will result in retreat. And yes, I have also come to recognize there are irreducible human instincts, instincts I share:  of fear and the elevation and preservation of our egos; a coveting for power and control which demand that we seek, always., to embrace and live through our actions and treatment of others the "better angels of our nature". That will never happen on "automatic pilot". It will take constant effort and commitment. At least that is what I have found