Some quotes from the Times for our times, which I noticed as I paged through The New York Times on the recent Fourth of July and the day after
From an essay by Matthew Thompson, questioning the impacts which
urban economic development has had upon Black communities:
“Are we doing better than our ancestors? Are we building on their best ideas and learning from their worst mistakes? What sort of future are we preparing the next generation for?”
With that entreaty Thompson concluded a discussion that emphasized taking a comprehensive look at how changes made in the name of “progress” can often produce positive results from some, but negative results for others. He suggests learning from experience – good and bad – as we address economics, education, health care, criminal justice, and housing in order to create an optimal and equitable quality of life for all people.
From an essay by Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation, urging us to overcome the divisions in our nation:
“I believe fiercely in the promise of America. My love for this nation is unyielding and unwavering…In this new era of deconstruction, we must summon renewed fortitude, resilience and vigilance, with reverence for those who came before us and resolve for those who follow. This will require patriotic defiance, with respect for the rule of law but with fidelity to the ideals that precede it.”
Walker encourages us to change cultural values and institutional systems that don’t work optimally for all. The fundamental principles which underlie this nation’s democratic vision persist in their relevance, despite flaws and shortcomings in their application since the nation’s founding. We can fix that.
From an article by Vimal Patel, on free speech in the cyber age, in reaction to the actions of Daniel Schmidt, an activist protesting “anti-White hatred”:
“the Chicago statement (a declaration of free speech principles) has become a guide for colleges across the country that have struggled to manage campus controversies, particularly when liberal students shout down conservative speakers….The Chicago statement assumes that what takes place on campuses is ‘in good faith and that people have an interest in engaging the ideas’…but ‘the ecosystem that Daniel Schmidt is part of has no interest in a conversation’”.
Much has changed since the 1970s, when I began my research career. Certainly, extremists of all persuasions have always existed. Some of them have claimed their own sets of “facts” and have denied objective, credible evidence. However, the majority of members of audiences for research used to include diverse constituencies who would accept a study’s findings and then proceed with their interpretation.
As an analogy, if we determined that a 16 ounce glass contained 8 ounces of liquid, groups who differed in their outlooks and priorities would accept the data and move forward. Some might proclaim that the glass was half full; others might proclaim that the glass was half empty. But no significant denial arose regarding the fact that the glass held six ounces.
Today, unfortunately, some people would attempt to conceal the number of ounces. Others would look straight at the number 8 and say that it is not really 8. Those people render conversation and mutual agreement very difficult, at least in the short term.
From an essay by Anthony Fauci, regarding the complex relationship which evolved during 32 years between him and an activist who at the outset loudly and publicly proclaimed Fauci a “murderer”:
“…we reminisced like two aging warriors who recalled the battles that we fought together, how despite our initial adversarial relationship, we ultimately became partners in an important struggle and how differences of opinion and even a history of antagonism are entirely compatible with friendship and even love….I am so pleased and grateful that the last words we had the opportunity to say to each other were, ‘I love you.’”
So, on this Independence Day, I hope that as many people as possible can declare independence from rigid ways of thinking, that they can expand their perspectives, and as Thompson and Walker exhort, build a future based on respect and understanding of the past, along with energetic dedication to improve the future.
Walker also stated: “However we give voice to our patriotism, let’s step away from the extremes and from the edge, away from the sanctimony and certitude. Let’s build longer bridges, not higher walls.”
I hope that the portions of those on the left and on the right who now obdurately cling to narrow visions can refrain from demonizing their adversaries. Then, with expansion of their scope of sight, perhaps as Fauci suggests, all of us can act as partners in our very important human struggle to make this country, in fact this entire world, a just and healthy place to live.
