I think you nailed it here, Ally. My only added comment is that the dynamic you describe is probably universal and more associated with white people in our experience because there are more of us here and we have had the most impact on shaping our society and its institutions. Looking around the globe these days, the "other" syndrome is …
I think you nailed it here, Ally. My only added comment is that the dynamic you describe is probably universal and more associated with white people in our experience because there are more of us here and we have had the most impact on shaping our society and its institutions. Looking around the globe these days, the "other" syndrome is alive and well in all of the current conflicts. That is why it strikes me Our Great American Experiment is such a challenging endeavor: by main strength and awkwardness, we strive to rise above the fears you describe. It ain't easy, as Heather's relentless history lessons demonstrate. While we are guilty of frequent, often tragic, missteps in our striving, it may be useful to pause and ask;"compared to what? Compared to whom?" The answer does not justify our failures, but it does put in perspective the immense challenge the Founding Fathers placed in our hands. Too many Americans have turned their backs on our heritage (both the rights and responsibilities embedded in what we have been given. And a great many accept the challenge and strive to make good on the promise of America. My sense is that acceptance is what draws most of us to this dialogue stimulated by Heather's fascinating history class.
We do have a lot of work to do; we know that. Doing it is a noble endeavor and, despite endless frustrations and frequent setbacks, offers priceless satisfaction. Our tool, as Ned notes, is sustained engagement. It helps to know you are not alone.
Human beings are still SO tribal. It seems like it takes a certain level of self-awareness to be able to question that tribal instinct's knee-jerk reactions, and it also seems like there are a lot of people that haven't got the first clue as to HOW to be self-reflective. Or why they should be.
I think you nailed it here, Ally. My only added comment is that the dynamic you describe is probably universal and more associated with white people in our experience because there are more of us here and we have had the most impact on shaping our society and its institutions. Looking around the globe these days, the "other" syndrome is alive and well in all of the current conflicts. That is why it strikes me Our Great American Experiment is such a challenging endeavor: by main strength and awkwardness, we strive to rise above the fears you describe. It ain't easy, as Heather's relentless history lessons demonstrate. While we are guilty of frequent, often tragic, missteps in our striving, it may be useful to pause and ask;"compared to what? Compared to whom?" The answer does not justify our failures, but it does put in perspective the immense challenge the Founding Fathers placed in our hands. Too many Americans have turned their backs on our heritage (both the rights and responsibilities embedded in what we have been given. And a great many accept the challenge and strive to make good on the promise of America. My sense is that acceptance is what draws most of us to this dialogue stimulated by Heather's fascinating history class.
We do have a lot of work to do; we know that. Doing it is a noble endeavor and, despite endless frustrations and frequent setbacks, offers priceless satisfaction. Our tool, as Ned notes, is sustained engagement. It helps to know you are not alone.
Human beings are still SO tribal. It seems like it takes a certain level of self-awareness to be able to question that tribal instinct's knee-jerk reactions, and it also seems like there are a lot of people that haven't got the first clue as to HOW to be self-reflective. Or why they should be.