I’ve been wrestling internally since this past weekend to find solid ground in response to what unfolded in Charlottesville, which has awakened all Americans to the need to stand resolute in the face of the racism that has always lived at the core of our country, that laid the foundation for the American Dream.
I’ve read the eloquent and fierce writing of many, listened to others doing their best to bring some kind of meaningful response to the injustice and cruel hatred. I keep asking myself what ‘new possibility’ could possibly result from this chaos, what gold is asking to emerge from this lead as our populace continues to grow more and more divisive by the day, as our leaders perpetuate values of intolerance and denial in protection of their white privilege?
Seth Godin got at something for me in his daily blog earlier this week when he wrote:
“Your DNA is virtually identical to that of the hordes that accompanied Ghengis Khan, as well as most Cro-Magnon cavemen–pass one on the street and you wouldn’t be able to tell that he’s different from you. The reason you don’t act the way they did is completely the result of culture, not genes. It’s culture that pushes us to level up, to dig deeper, to do things that we might not otherwise do. It’s culture that finds and encourages and pushes people to become better versions of themselves than anyone else expected to find.”
I don’t have answers. I keep trying to ask better questions.
But what I see is that the hate we’re witnessing is largely driven by men. Lost men. Hurting men. Deeply wounded men. I believe we must stand for the possibility of healing and change, never condoning racist behavior and actions, as key to realizing a different culture. The ManKind Project states as its reason for being, “We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of our society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet.”
As I prepare to help staff for the first time an October weekend workshop offered by the ManKind Project, I’m heartened to remember that we get to create culture every day by our choices, our beliefs, our attitudes, our relationships, our actions. A new culture is aching to be born. We are the midwives.
You can read Seth Godin’s blog, Sloppy Science, in its entirety here.
Thank you Benjamin Fox. I like where you are going with this. I am deeply pleased (and smiling) that you are helping the ManKind Project! Your expertise is so needed in supporting other men.
Thanks, Helen. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. These recent events are awakening me to so much work that needs our dedicated commitment. I believe strongly in the work of the ManKind Project to make a difference in the lives of men, and thus the culture of our country. And there is so much more to do as well. I’m sharing a lot of resources and information on my Facebook page. I look forward to working with you toward justice!
Thanks for this, Benjamin. It’s hard to wrap my head around so much hatred, but I like this stream of thought … culture. I’d like to believe we are a culture based in love, or at least that we can start to be. XO
Thanks, Ariele, for taking the time to read and comment. I hear you. The events of this past week have really shaken me out of denial and woken me to what’s really going on, has forever been going on, in this country and long before this country formed in other parts of the world. White Christian men want to stay in power. They want to control the economic system, the judicial system, the legislative system, and on and on. I think it’s important for all of us to get educated. Take a look at my Facebook page … I’ve shared a lot in the last week that has been very helpful and eye-opening. I do think it’s naive to think that America is founded on a culture based in love, but I think we can all work toward bringing more healing, more love, more tolerance into the collective. I’m glad we’re in it together.