How important is it for me to speak out, stand up and give voice to pain and agony in our society? Do I have the patience to carry that out?

Dear Neighbor, 

As a child I used to love New Year Resolutions. I promised everything (being a better kid, making good grades, stop teasing girls, quit playing in puddles after a rain, etc).  I usually got to January 5th, then I broke them all. It was fun to see how far I could go.  As a teenager I thought that was all childish. This year, as an older adult, I felt I should try again – I promised to be more patient. This lasted even fewer days. There were six of us in a grocery line. The person in front of us was a millennial (29-44 years old). It was obvious he wasn’t the weekly grocery shopper. He waited until the cashier gave him the verbal total, even though he could read it. Then he went after his wallet, only to find out he didn’t have enough cash. His next move was to find a credit card, of which two failed to work. My greenish bananas were already turning yellow and the woman behind me said ‘my frozen foods have melted.’ This is when my patience gave in. My New Year’s resolution was melting away.

Maya Angelou came to mind as I stood impatiently in line. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” These times make me impatient. They tear into my integrity, my humanity, my care for society. I am waking up with mild headaches. I am wondering if tomorrow will come with a better outlook. My optimism is being bombarded with pessimism.

My spouse is a scholar of Plato. She reminds me often that Plato said the “measure of a man is what he does with power.” I want our leadership to address power wisely, to improve society and help fellow beings, to work with empathy, integrity and moral fiber.  That takes patience.

I want to be patient with leadership (in government, religion, education). But it is choice, not chance, that determines my destiny. As Aristotle proclaimed “character is revealed through action.” My action, our action is extremely important. Our voices must be heard when character is less than strong, positive, caring, and loving. And that character must emphasize inner integrity and actions over reputation.

Plato encourages us to conquer our fears. That seems to be extremely important and difficult in our present society. I ask myself can I do that? How important is it for me to speak out, stand up and give voice to pain and agony in our society? Do I have the patience to carry that out?

“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.