Statement of Intention
The goal of this blog is to challenge myself and others to question our default starting point on the difficult problems that face us, in particular in the world of politics and international relations. The vast majority of us, including myself, are constantly perpetuating and escalating any number of conflicts in involuntary and unconscious ways. Whether in our homes, at our work, or in the world at large, we default to blindly believing our version of an issue/conflict and discrediting any opposing views. Even when we know this happens, and work hard — really hard — to do otherwise, well, we do it anyway.
How many times have I, in the past 12 months, looked at the other side of the Red-Blue divide and cried in exasperation, “Who are those stupid people?” all the while thinking that if they just listened to me, the world would become a utopia. What? You’re not guilty of the same? I wish I could believe you.
I launched this blog because I have grown tired of reading the news and churning inside, seeing most people talk past each other and the salient points in an issue. A mentor of mine (who’s words inspired the domain name) taught me a lot about learning to question my certainties, my anger towards those who don’t get it, and to search to forge a relational context in which we don’t need to resolve issues through a power struggle (where even when we win, we lose).
I’d like to contribute to a dialogue that could help us step out of the pervasive “Us vs. Them’s” in our society and world: Red vs. Blue, Fundamentalist Christian vs. Liberal, US vs. Muslim/Arab, pro-life vs. pro-choice, …
Even though I like to think I have lots of answers, I realize that in fact I don’t; I just have lots of opinions. Let’s talk them through and see if together, we can’t offer something both hopeful and practical to the world.
I find this really helpful in my own thinking about this issue. Thanks for your courage in writing. It is especially provocative to me to think about your idea that “fighting to the last person” is human and ego driven, albeit tragic. I wonder if the US version of that is fed by our fear after 9/11. As long as our public discourse centers on our own danger and vulnerablity, we will find our own ego comfort in war? It would be a step toward our own maturity if we could declare “defeat,” and see that not as a disgrace or a loss, but a way to better engage ourselves and the world.
April 1st, 2007 at 3:24 pmI relate to the general thrust of your Statement of Intention. However, it seems to me that issues do arise that require conflict, power struggle, and victory or defeat. Barack Obama has said that he does not seek or try to create confrontations, but if others do so, resistance is necessary. I find that approach convincing. We can engage opponents on a particular issue, without demonizing them by, for example, hurling labels at them.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:46 pmI appreciate your comment and would welcome the opportunity to talk more.
It is difficult for me to tell, in reading your words, if your reflections about issues requiring conflict, power struggle, and victory or defeat are posed at an interpersonal, societal (inter-group), or geopolitical level. It is a bit difficult to talk in generalities about these issues, because then we could easily fall into an intellectual debate. There are times in which force (if that is what you mean by “resistance”) is necessary on a geopolitical level. Appeasement is not something I am advocating, but clearly there are many very intelligent and strategic steps we could be taking before resistance is needed.
This is equally true at the interpersonal/inter-group levels, where we humans in general tend to go to a reaction of anger/violence (verbal, physical, etc) very quickly, in particular when we feel powerless, hurt, threatened.
I deeply agree that the demonization of the other is a pervasive human habit with terrible consequences, all the more damning because we are rarely aware that we are demonizing; we simply believe that the other is annoying, threatening, wrong. Goodwin’s Team of Rivals describes time and again Abraham Lincoln’s extraordinary ability to see opponents and adversaries (even betrayers) as fellow humans with different desires, goals, egos, etc, and yet masterfully refrain from the demonization you mention. I found his commitment and skill awe inspiring.
July 28th, 2007 at 5:24 am