We are under assault — fortunately not physical assault from mortars and bombs, but a virtual barrage of intimidations of words and images. This omnipresent assault is harmful, nonetheless, causing us to hunker down, psychologically and spiritually, and curl into protective balls.
What appear in media as entertainment seem an uncoordinated and incoherent mishmash. Even Christmas programs are full of jumping around, sounds that deafen, and intelligible screams. Even if understood, little connection with the meaning of Christmas exists.
Virtual advertisements scream hype and hysteria. Ordinary language does not suffice; breathless exposes are stupendous greatest, absolute despicable, or depraved. Actors engaged in foolish and dangerous activities capture eyes and minds while products appear briefly. Mailboxes and telephones spew urgent pleas for needy causes, mainly woeful children and animals. Occasional warnings appear about scams and deceitful frauds.
Opinion makers pontificate about the stock market and the economy with contradictory prophesy of burst and boom. They conceal failed predictions regarding recent elections, with guesses about causes and results. Various identity groups are analyzed and praised or condemned. American democracy will disintegrate, and American democracy will be saved. One Georgia resident concluded, “I don’t know what to believe!”
People engage in self-protection. Some adopt an ostrich approach by sticking their heads in the sand, hoping it will all disappear. A friend has not watch TV news since the 2016 election. Others withdraw into practices of eastern mysticism and navel gazing. Some simply commit to a silo of news and political sites that propagandize. These are forms of withdrawal from the world as it is.
We survived previous crises with some measure of health, albeit before omnipresent media gadgets. Now news abounds about mental health problems, drug overdoses, suicides, protests, murders, and societal breakdowns. Even good news is immediately followed by “But!” Wars and rumors of wars rumble around the world — real wars — and cultural disagreements are announced with war trumpets. So, join our side!
Just writing all this down makes one want to hide. A better way must exist to stand tall and free in a democracy. Consider these suggestions:
Acknowledge that you are unique — a minority of one. Resist being lumped together with any other group to think or act in some prescribed way without careful reasoning and willing agreement.
Your uniqueness is a gift of your creation as a human. The ability to reason and make judgments and our volition and freedom to act make us human and, in religious terms, “created in the image of God.”
Don’t march in other people’s parades. You can’t be at the beck and call of others, no matter what flags of religion, nationality, politics or ideology they espouse. You can’t worry about or engage effectively issues thrown in your face, especially when you know too little about the contexts to make an informed judgment.
Develop a worldview that enables you to reason about what is true to believe and to understand what is good to do. That constitutes a worldview, which implies understanding the world, yourself and others. That is not just an ideology. Avoid easy, cheap answers handed to you on a plate with decorative bows.
Avoid contemporary individualism. Join groups that cultivate your freedom and healthy ego enabling you to learn more and act in ways that encourage flourishing. Many such groups are religious, but not all. They build on firm foundations beyond oneself. Stay engaged in group activities to assist others to enjoy their uniqueness, freedom and abundant lives. People engaged in such good works enjoy deep meaning and greater satisfaction.
Christmas and New Year are good times to examine yourself and take steps to stand tall and free — able to govern oneself and a democratic society.
Raymond B. Williams, Crawfordsville, LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities emeritus, contributed this guest column.
