Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
My mother is known in our family for her many sayings, often ones she probably learned during the Great Depression, like “waste not, want not.” Some of her quips may have been more obscure or even original, but we all remember her and honor her memory by reminding each other of her many endearing expressions.
Lately, one of her sayings plays on repeat in my head: “What is this world coming to?” I wonder, if she were living today, what she would think about how the world has changed over the last decade. I shudder to think what the world, or at least the US, is indeed coming to when there is so much division and polarization.
How did we get here? It has not always been this way. What has changed?
I have heard it said (not from my mother!) that the US stock market turns on fear and greed. I observe fear and greed at work in the broader society today. Sadly, this mode of operation is not new: white slave owners pitted the poor white class against Black slaves so the two groups would not join forces against these slaveholding plantation owners. Those with power were greedy to hold onto it. They were also afraid of being outnumbered if coalitions formed against them. They instilled fear in the other groups, portraying each group as threatening to the other and themselves as the benevolent savior, all part of a divide-and-conquer scheme for power and control.
Today, the extreme polarization we are experiencing is similar: it has its roots based in fear and greed (and often racism). Far-right politicians, greedy for power will instill fear in their followers of some imagined impending danger. And of course, they, like the slaveholding plantation owners, are the ones who can protect their followers, especially when they rally around a far-right “strongman,” in this case, Donald Trump. Authoritarianism is not the answer.
When a political party is afraid of losing their status in society, their fear propels them to double down on their authority. This greed to dominate fueled with fear sees losing in the political arena as an existential threat. They will do anything to avoid losing, even refusing to concede their losses and peacefully transferring their political power to their successor. We have already witnessed this by many in the Republican Party after they lost the presidential election in 2020.
What is really driving the fear we see today?
Underlying the anger, accusations, and even violence is a deep sense that the world is changing and that change threatens some people.
The US is becoming more racially diverse and more pluralistic, particularly in terms of culture and religion. The majority of the US population has historically been white, but demographics are changing. Experts predict that by 2045, whites will no longer be in the majority. This change has been happening gradually for the past 100 years or so. But for many white people, these statistics are frightening. Already today, whites under the age of 18 are in a minority relative to all under 18.
Politicians and pundits who play on this anxiety of being relegated to the minority drive many of the divisions in this country. Truth gets lost in the lies designed to induce fear. Conspiracy theories are promoted. For example, the Great Replacement Theory that espouses the idea that immigrants will take over and replace white people is often part of the fear-mongering.
Isolationism in our society exacerbates this dynamic. When we hear lies that demonize people who are different from ourselves and if we do not know anyone in the group being singled out, we may believe those lies and become afraid. Our fear turns into anger, an emotion that makes us feel we are in control. Anger turns into hate when we bully, dehumanize, and scapegoat the other group. And hatred leads to violence perpetrated against this marginalized group. (Think of all the hateful rhetoric and violence against trans people, for example.)
In vilifying their political enemies, these leaders and politicians lose sight of their opponents’ humanity. Hate becomes the badge of honor and flames the fires of ignorance. No longer does their opponent have a face, or family, or any redeeming qualities; they are instead the “enemy” that is out to get those of the opposing political party. Opponents are deemed “evil” (or “vermin,” a word Trump borrowed from Hitler’s playbook). Forgotten is the fact that these are individuals who live and love in their families, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. No longer human, the adversary is to be eliminated at all costs and by any means. Violence is often seen as the answer. But as Jesus said, those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Or guns, as may be the case today. Violence is never the answer.
I wonder if those who feel threatened by this shift in demographics worry about how they will be treated by the soon-to-be majority. In some twisted version of the Golden Rule, are they worried they will be treated as they have treated those historically in the minority?
As American society becomes more racially diverse and more pluralistic, the status quo will change. Those who depend on the status quo for their power and do not view a racially diverse and pluralistic society positively will feel afraid and threatened.
Fear is a strong emotion. Showing love and compassion to those who disagree with us can change this vicious cycle. Realizing our opponents’ humanity can stop the hateful and destructive rhetoric.
Recorded in the Gospels are many instances where Jesus was confronted by religious leaders and by Roman rulers. Not once did He ever dehumanize His opponent. Even when angry, He did not personally attack those who created systems of injustice. His values of loving neighbors as well as enemies allowed Him to value His opponents, to see the image of God in each of them, and to show compassion towards them.
What does that look like today? Perhaps we listen to those in our orbits who have differing viewpoints, showing curiosity instead of criticism. Perhaps we debunk the conspiracy theories to reassure others that they need not feel threatened by change. Maybe we acknowledge their fears with compassion and lead with love. May we see the image of God in them and realize we are all created by God and in His image. We are all reflections of the Divine. And in this democracy, we are all created equally.
What is this world coming to? With curiosity, compassion, and love, we can overcome fear, anger, and hate by tearing down the walls that divide us, reaching across the aisle, and seeing the image and reflection of God in everyone. For today, maybe the best saying of all is “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” May it be so! Mom would be so proud!
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of reflections in the Königsallee (King’s Alley) canal in Düsseldorf, Germany.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Check out these websites:
https://www.nsvrc.org/saam
https://www.whitehouse.gov/gpc/briefing-room/2023/05/01/recognizing-sexual-assault-prevention-and-awareness-month/
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
My mother is known in our family for her many sayings, often ones she probably learned during the Great Depression, like “waste not, want not.” Some of her quips may have been more obscure or even original, but we all remember her and honor her memory by reminding each other of her many endearing expressions.
Lately, one of her sayings plays on repeat in my head: “What is this world coming to?” I wonder, if she were living today, what she would think about how the world has changed over the last decade. I shudder to think what the world, or at least the US, is indeed coming to when there is so much division and polarization.
How did we get here? It has not always been this way. What has changed?
I have heard it said (not from my mother!) that the US stock market turns on fear and greed. I observe fear and greed at work in the broader society today. Sadly, this mode of operation is not new: white slave owners pitted the poor white class against Black slaves so the two groups would not join forces against these slaveholding plantation owners. Those with power were greedy to hold onto it. They were also afraid of being outnumbered if coalitions formed against them. They instilled fear in the other groups, portraying each group as threatening to the other and themselves as the benevolent savior, all part of a divide-and-conquer scheme for power and control.
Today, the extreme polarization we are experiencing is similar: it has its roots based in fear and greed (and often racism). Far-right politicians, greedy for power will instill fear in their followers of some imagined impending danger. And of course, they, like the slaveholding plantation owners, are the ones who can protect their followers, especially when they rally around a far-right “strongman,” in this case, Donald Trump. Authoritarianism is not the answer.
When a political party is afraid of losing their status in society, their fear propels them to double down on their authority. This greed to dominate fueled with fear sees losing in the political arena as an existential threat. They will do anything to avoid losing, even refusing to concede their losses and peacefully transferring their political power to their successor. We have already witnessed this by many in the Republican Party after they lost the presidential election in 2020.
What is really driving the fear we see today?
Underlying the anger, accusations, and even violence is a deep sense that the world is changing and that change threatens some people.
The US is becoming more racially diverse and more pluralistic, particularly in terms of culture and religion. The majority of the US population has historically been white, but demographics are changing. Experts predict that by 2045, whites will no longer be in the majority. This change has been happening gradually for the past 100 years or so. But for many white people, these statistics are frightening. Already today, whites under the age of 18 are in a minority relative to all under 18.
Politicians and pundits who play on this anxiety of being relegated to the minority drive many of the divisions in this country. Truth gets lost in the lies designed to induce fear. Conspiracy theories are promoted. For example, the Great Replacement Theory that espouses the idea that immigrants will take over and replace white people is often part of the fear-mongering.
Isolationism in our society exacerbates this dynamic. When we hear lies that demonize people who are different from ourselves and if we do not know anyone in the group being singled out, we may believe those lies and become afraid. Our fear turns into anger, an emotion that makes us feel we are in control. Anger turns into hate when we bully, dehumanize, and scapegoat the other group. And hatred leads to violence perpetrated against this marginalized group. (Think of all the hateful rhetoric and violence against trans people, for example.)
In vilifying their political enemies, these leaders and politicians lose sight of their opponents’ humanity. Hate becomes the badge of honor and flames the fires of ignorance. No longer does their opponent have a face, or family, or any redeeming qualities; they are instead the “enemy” that is out to get those of the opposing political party. Opponents are deemed “evil” (or “vermin,” a word Trump borrowed from Hitler’s playbook). Forgotten is the fact that these are individuals who live and love in their families, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. No longer human, the adversary is to be eliminated at all costs and by any means. Violence is often seen as the answer. But as Jesus said, those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Or guns, as may be the case today. Violence is never the answer.
I wonder if those who feel threatened by this shift in demographics worry about how they will be treated by the soon-to-be majority. In some twisted version of the Golden Rule, are they worried they will be treated as they have treated those historically in the minority?
As American society becomes more racially diverse and more pluralistic, the status quo will change. Those who depend on the status quo for their power and do not view a racially diverse and pluralistic society positively will feel afraid and threatened.
Fear is a strong emotion. Showing love and compassion to those who disagree with us can change this vicious cycle. Realizing our opponents’ humanity can stop the hateful and destructive rhetoric.
Recorded in the Gospels are many instances where Jesus was confronted by religious leaders and by Roman rulers. Not once did He ever dehumanize His opponent. Even when angry, He did not personally attack those who created systems of injustice. His values of loving neighbors as well as enemies allowed Him to value His opponents, to see the image of God in each of them, and to show compassion towards them.
What does that look like today? Perhaps we listen to those in our orbits who have differing viewpoints, showing curiosity instead of criticism. Perhaps we debunk the conspiracy theories to reassure others that they need not feel threatened by change. Maybe we acknowledge their fears with compassion and lead with love. May we see the image of God in them and realize we are all created by God and in His image. We are all reflections of the Divine. And in this democracy, we are all created equally.
What is this world coming to? With curiosity, compassion, and love, we can overcome fear, anger, and hate by tearing down the walls that divide us, reaching across the aisle, and seeing the image and reflection of God in everyone. For today, maybe the best saying of all is “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” May it be so! Mom would be so proud!
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of reflections in the Königsallee (King’s Alley) canal in Düsseldorf, Germany.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Check out these websites:
https://www.nsvrc.org/saam
https://www.whitehouse.gov/gpc/briefing-room/2023/05/01/recognizing-sexual-assault-prevention-and-awareness-month/
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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