Tribalism, Friends. It's called tribalism. We are tribes of various colors,
economies, genders, political ideologies, religions, et al. We all belong to
one or more of them and tend to get our backs up over perceptions that our
tribe is under some sort of threat - real or imagined, usually the latter.
No one tribe is above the racism, sexism, ageism, religious bigotry or
political rigidity that characterizes the reactions each has to their
opposite number(s). What places one artificially above another is power, and
it is the quest for power that debases humanity.
The idea behind the term, civilization, is that humankind should, through
its extraordinary intellect and opportunity, rise above the base tribal
instincts that otherwise govern our behavior and emotions. It is the
arrogance of those who believe that only they and no one else is a member of
the "correct" tribe that engenders the distrust and violent reactions so
prevalent across the planet.
We are no exception. Can we rise above it to create a more humane and decent
culture of equals? Likely not. We bring too much of our personal and tribal
history to our judgment which distorts and colors it to counterproductive
ends. I'd rather be optimistic about this, but it's damned difficult in the
face of all we're witnessing here (in the US) and everywhere else.
Sad times.
Andy Driscoll
--
"Whatever keeps you from your work is your work."
Albert Camus
The Driscoll Group/Communications
Writing/Graphics/Strategic Development
835 Linwood Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-293-9039
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> From: "dave dix" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 09:15:22 -0600
> To: "Multiple recipients of list" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: immigrants. the coming backlash?
>
>
>>
>> my question is: are people seeing and hearing
>> examples of this also. i haven't up to this point, and
>> thought we were living in an enlightened age, but
>> maybe the backlash is coming.
>>
>> mark wilde
>> windom park
>>
> Those responses have their equivalents in the immigrant communities, Mark.
> Many of them are just as bigoted as your Archie. Whatever its source--
> nationalism, fear over compensation for not being fully integrated into the
> society ( "fringe" Americans) -- its gonna be there. The question is: "What
> are aware people like yourself going to do about it?" If the backlash comes,
> it will because those of us who claim to despise bigotry do nothing about
> it on a personal or community level. You don't have to argue with a drunk
> idiot or jeopardize your work situation. You just walk away from it. Step
> away from the conversation when it turns in that direction and go play
> darts or whatever. Not playing the game of Ain't It Awful kills it in a
> hurry. Nourish what you regard as positive; starve what is negative.
> Simple. Whether there is a backlash or not is in your hands.
>
>
> BTW, Those of you who haven't read THE LYNCHING IN DULUTH by Michael Fedo ,
> should. It shows just how infectious hatred and stupidity are and how a
> handful of men and women with integrity can heal the wounds.
>
> Dave Dix
> Phillips
> Precinct 6
>
>
