Many of us are wondering how to cope with the unravelling of America as we knew it. How do we live our lives under outright tyranny? What actions do we take? What philosophical or religious stance do we try to adhere to? Pundits and spiritual leaders alike continually tell what we should, might, could do to shatter the power of an administration that seeks to terrorize us. But is this where “we” matters less and each “ I “ must decide for herself what to do, what to think, and how to act toward others?
Alexi Navalny is a hero of mine. He spoke his truth out loud, over and over. He was willing to be imprisoned, poisoned, and tortured rather than remain silent as he fought for the freedom of his beloved country. When asked why he continued to put himself in such danger, he said, in so many words, it is who I am, I can’t do otherwise. I am happy doing this. Did he change Russia or instill Putin with an ounce of empathy? Ostensibly, no. Touch his people’s hearts? Yes. His courage remains deeply revered. Can we all demonstrate such remarkable courage? No. Only in as far as our I-ness, our biological uniqueness, invites and allows us to do so. Each mind is created by a unique brain structure and chemistry that differs from all others.
Some will act boldly and protest in the streets despite increasing threats. Others will continue to write and speak against those inflicting distress and to the ramifications of tyranny. Others may quietly pray for all those who suffer the worst indignities of the regime. Others may choose to focus on nourishing the young with stories and affection, a tradition among all peoples for generations. And some may express themselves through the arts, driven to give a transient form to inherent chaos. Picasso gave the world the great painting Guernica during the Spanish civil war. The Polish poet Adam Zagajewski wrote “Try to Praise the Mutilated World.” And mutilated it is in many places but there are still golden leaves wafting slowly down to the welcoming earth and the late light still gives the hills a purple tinge and children still hop, skip and jump in puddles after a thunderstorm. Duality is a fiction and best surrendered to a wider perspective. Try and praise the indivisible Oneness of creation.
In 1935 Sinclair Lewis wrote a satiric novel entitled “It Can’t Happen Here.” It was a stark warning that, despite honoring our Constitution, we must be alert to the fact that our democracy is not indestructible. It too easily could be overtaken by some demagogue, some charlatan, some psychopath.
Limited beings that humans are, we were not perspicacious enough to notice or believe the warning signs in recent years. We mourn, we rage at our current fate but it is not some unique hell chance suddenly and unexpectedly cursed us with. Perhaps we have been shamefully naive about our national history — of slavery, genocide, misogyny, and the obscene economic inequalities — and now maybe we are more painfully aware of being members of the human family; vulnerable, fearful, brave, ingenious, gullible, generous, and sometimes quite terrible beings who have, nonetheless, survived for 300,000 years.
Diversity cannot be extinguished by fiat! Diversity has always been our salvation and as each of us chooses her varied colors and recognizes the strengths of her fiber, we will, once again, together, weave a new pattern of survival.
Margot Fleck lives in Northfield.