Virginia I. Shafer wrote:
> >This leaves us with overloaded justice and educational systems which are
> >so inundated with cultural matters that they are barely performing their
> >primary mission. This also positions us for continued bombardment by
> >special interests messages while our children receive very few balancing
> >positive values messages. All this is possible because the good people
> >abdicated their responsibility as the culture keepers and allowed the
> >entrepreneurs, the charlatans and the odious to fill the vacuum.
>
> How do you envision this can be be reversed? Is there a systemic leverage
> point you've detected to break the cycle--to take back responsibility for
> our ? I've been toying with starting a local campaign, "Honk if You're
> Disgusted," to begin pointing out that I do notice when the car in front
> of me flicks out a cigarette butt, or that their 4 year old is in the
> front seat unrestrained, or the kids in the car up ahead tossed a plastic
> beverage cup out the window (ha, ha, they thinks it's funny.) What can we
> do on the collective realm in your opinion?
I didn't comment, Virginia, not because I don't care--but because these
socio-political issues are roundly debated, polled, and processed (at
least at every election time). Is there progress? (that's a hypothetical
question).
First of all, the culture keepers (as you call them) turned out to be a
bit like the Wizard of Oz. Lots of noise, smoke and flashes--not too much
substance. Felt good, though, if you happened to be a member of the
wizard's constituency. If you weren't, then you were kept isolated and
under control (so you didn't upset the cultural applecart).
The people who modeled ethics, humanity, concern and compassion were
frequently the targets for the Cultural Keeper's tranquilizer darts. What
I'm saying is that your opinion of who the good person was depended on
your point of view.
Now, let's get down to brass tacks. Who really abdicated responsibility?
Did you? Did I? I am personally responsible only for my actions.
Tottering around on my feet of clay as I have, I don't believe that I have
abdicated my responsibility--I just make lots of mistakes. But we all
know that millions of people have acted irresponsibly, don't we? So who
are THEY? Now we're back to the "Education System," "Churches,"
"Society." Well, there's always an opportunity to point at others
(especially faceless others).
And there's the rub, Virginia and Jim. You both are probably actively
responsible, caring for and nurturing your families and communities. I
suggest, then, if you really want to change things, that you reach out and
connect with another person in your community and engage them in a dialog
of mutual responsibility. And--just for fun--choose someone who comes
from a different cultural perspective. Then you can begin building a
multi-cultural foundation of ethical responsibility. And, if you are
already doing that, as I suspect you are, then celebrate YOUR progress.
The overworn adage (think globally, act locally) is a good place to begin.
My best to you both--
regards,
Doc
--Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Visit me at <http://www.thresholds.com/> Or e-mail me at <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com> Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2361 Phone:01 360 786 0925 Olympia, WA 98507 USA Fax: 01 360 709 4361
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>