So many speak, of the current labor awakening in Wisconsin, using war and sports terminology – winning and losing – battles – fighting for rights – kill the bill – etc. Fact: wars, battles, and yes even some sports destroy, damage, and cause pain and suffering. Believing that something of value can arise through fighting for turf, whether metaphorically or really, makes absolutely no sense — if we seriously want to solve problems. What happens if we consider those metaphors both obsolete and serious distractions from the problems and tasks at hand? I believe we can speak more clearly; using far more accurate language; language that refers directly to our creative spirit rather than from our reptilian fight/flight mentality. In his sign, seen above, Muhammad chose his language well when he said, “…he’s facing the world.”
People, whether Egyptians or Wisconsin workers (along with all others demonstrating around the world), simply want to BUILD a better future. These demonstrations express a desire to CREATE a better QUALITY LIFE. Manifesting these desires requires creative thinking; not destructive thinking.
Useful terms like envision, plan, manifest, demonstrate, educate, engage, listen and learn must replace useless terminology like class warfare, budget crisis (or any other crisis for that matter). We cannot accept outdated metaphors if we want to truly create something new and valuable.
If anything derails efforts to build a just society – it will come in the form of hyperbolic demonizing and/or uncontrolled violence (whether physical or psychological); no matter which side it comes from. The actual facts contain enough horror. True problem solvers do not use smear tactics. They use common sense, factual data, correct intentions, planning and implementation. Good causes have a true moral high ground. Fox refers to Wisconsin demonstrators seeking social justice as “radicals.” They apparently intend to demonize rather than inquire or objectively report. Prove the claim false, at each and every opportunity, by demonstrating intelligence and most especially by using veracious information to the contrary. Meet false information and propaganda with verifiable information. I don’t believe one can tame or diffuse wackos. Totally ignoring them seems the only choice. Liars and charlatans, on the other hand, need facts (not opinions) following and preceding their every deception. Shine a light on pretenses, hypocrisy and lies. It’s one thing to battle over ideology and quite another to honestly inform and educate.
The necessary shift from a combative culture to a creative culture requires focusing attention and intention on building and innovating. This means building alliances, communities, agreements; and requires innovative, creative, positive communication. Step one to achieve a shift in culture requires an agreement on integrity – and a deep willingness to expose every deception, hypocrisy and pretense. If a person seeks public office they should minimally stand up and speak clearly and honestly on behalf of their actual agenda. We recently discovered state senator Alberta Darling saying, “I can’t say this on television.” to a select group of her and Scott Walker’s supporters. People, like her, with clandestine agendas will not ever create a just, equitable society. We need honest, forthright representatives to accomplish that goal. We can accept nothing less.
My friend Bert Stitt lives in Madison and works with communities, organizations, governments, and businesses throughout the country. I invited him to share his thoughts on this topic. He offered,
Bravo! We have evolved!
The chant, “What does democracy look like. This is what democracy looks like!” rings off the stone and glass facades of Madison’s Capitol Square and fills the air. This refrain also fills the streets, plazas, squares and other public venues in many languages and interpretations all over the world. At least one echo of the contemporary voice of democracy reverberates with peace; a peaceful voice that stands calm and firm as in the protest button; “stay calm and protest on!”
I, at least, feel refreshed that we have not, so far, spun down into so much of the rhetoric of the 60’s anti-war, anti-segregation protest. I don’t pretend that such thoughts and words don’t occur to us. I do see a conscious choice to think, speak and act differently. We can legitimately appreciate a different order of strength and effectiveness in the face of ‘outrageous fortune.’
In Madison we have a dedicated cadre of peace advocates who have populated the protest scene inside and outside the Capitol building with in-the-moment coaching with people who want to exercise the power that comes from within the integrity and dignity of our voice. These dedicated advocates for the peaceful message have surely infused the atmosphere with healing and powerful medicine.
We know that we have many voices of despair, disrespect, distress, disregard and more in ‘balance the budget’ theater as well. We have watched a serious devolution of civility, care and interest in the ‘other.’ We have heard words of incivility aplenty.
In the midst of this I see a sign altered from “Kill the Bill” … to “Stop the Bill” – a self editing process that seeks to shift the tenor of the conversation while maintaining the power of the message.
Thanks for contributing Bert!