Volume 5, Issue 34
Ambassador Young began his career as a pastor. He believes that love and non-violence are the ingredients of the recipe for racial reconciliation. He condemns the Atifa movement for violent protests. He went so far as to say that he felt sorry for the white supremacists.
Why?
Because he believes that, at the core of human nature, racial prejudice is the reaction manifested from a subconscious irritant. Racial hatred and bigotry are not the core of human nature or its foundation, but the lashing out at some other perceived betrayal. He recently stated that the white working poor have been abandoned by government. “Instead of giving them quality health care, we have given them black lung jobs.” They see the African-American community making gains, and their position in life enhanced. Yet, they feel left out. They react in their frustration by blaming Jews and African-Americans.
One definition of neurosis is a personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision, and a degree of social and interpersonal maladjustment based on a conscious conclusion without objective evidence. Such a condition can result in obsessional thoughts and compulsive acts. This is a symptom of the state of societal neurosis in our country today.
Of all the commentary, of all the talking heads, of all the genuine soul-searching, peace and healing was rendered to the American spirit from the words and sentiments of Andrew Young. He explained that the only lasting movement of reformation is based on non-violent protests and love. But, it is also based on the respect for the feelings, concerns, and anxieties of others. In other words, no one moves forward in opportunity unless everyone moves forward. No one is healed from distress unless all are healed in their perceived distress. And no movement is eternal unless the mountain top sought is a place of refuge and is accessible to all. Regardless of the starting point of one’s journey, the place of peace must be of a universal environment.
Andrew Young’s compassionate, inclusive, and hopeful message is beginning to change the dialogue from ‘we need the government to exert its moral authority’ to ‘all moral authority resides with the people.’
The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has so divided us in perspective that rational thought has been paralyzed among the disparate parts of society’s divisions. Instead of analyzing the true conditions that have led to despair, Donald Trump is blamed in totality for all that is destructive. This in itself is a symptom of societal neurosis.
Such conclusions are shallow and incomplete diagnoses.
We live in an economic age. Globalism has shifted, transferred, and restructured industries and, therefore, jobs. Robotics, technology, and new educational requirements have left new jobs unattainable for some. Socialism necessitates dependence upon government. Free enterprise enables individual ingenuity and initiative. These two economic theories drive outcomes that are unequal in the cultural application for various divisions of society. Economic opportunity drives wealth. Free enterprise, as compared to socialism, determines different economic opportunities. Government programs, as compared to individualism, in perception, determines the emotional feelings of freedom. White supremacists are neurotic when they blame minorities for their state in life. When, in fact, it is worldwide economic changing conditions and the government programs in reaction to them that are exacerbating economic outcomes.
In solving the equation of equal economic opportunity, Americans must decide – do they want more government or more free enterprise? If one decides on more government, then it must be applied equally so no one is left behind. If one selects free enterprise, then it is equal opportunity that is sought for all citizens, not equal outcome. Peace for all comes in the state of opportunity either way. As citizens, it is time for us to choose what path, for what course, for what opportunity we will commit to the future generations.
It is absolutely critical to recognize the fact that in 6,000 years of recorded history, government has never established, maintained, or advance the moral authority. Government only facilitates the cultural mindset and purpose of the people it serves. From the pharaohs, to the kings, to the dictators, to democracy, the moral authority always resided with the people. At times, people may have been oppressed. But particularly in such times, government never provided the moral aspiration for the people’s hopes.
In 1776, the United States of America declared independence by the moral authority of the people. The purpose was to form a ‘more perfect union’ for a ‘new order for the generations.’ Government exists to facilitate the will and authority of the people.
Racial hatred and bigotry are always wrong as are the white supremacists who embrace it. There can never be compromise on this principle. We can only attempt to understand what generates such irrational, neurotic behavior.
Andrew Young reminds us that, for lasting effect of movements, all must be committed to the respect of the collective virtue and hopes of each other. It is not just that love prevails; it nourishes the reality of the inherent moral commitment of the people’s character.
And, in so doing, love conquers all and brings light to the subconscious reactions of societal neurosis.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?