Overcoming Polarization

Intransigence and polarization fueled by hatreds is certainly not a foreign struggle in America. We have faced it before and overcome it, thus leaving us with a very clear and concise understanding as to what must be done to defeat it again.

 We are currently faced with almost unprecedented levels of political deterioration arising from the election of our first black president.  After Republican victories in 2010, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated the primary goal of his party would be to prevent the Democratic president from being reelected.   He hadn’t seen even one proposal, one bill, and yet his main objective was to thwart any and all efforts of the president – to work almost exclusively toward assuring his failure and defeat. 

We have been and continue to be, plagued with war and economy struggles and our elected representatives first thoughts were, and still are, focused on a personal agenda based on some unstated form of hatred and a stated objective centered on gaining party advantage and thus greater power and influence and not on collective problem-solving or the common good of the nation.  

In attempting to justify this irrational behavior and to solidify that power grab, religious animosities are now and once again openly surfaced within American society.  Those of us who lived through the 1960 presidential election were filled with hope that such rubbish would become antiquated with the election of our first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy.  But with the advent of nine-eleven many Americans refuse to separate the Taliban, al-Qaeda and ISIS or ISIL from the peaceful Muslim teachings of the faith.  To those Americans who thirst for hatred, all Muslims are the same.  This is as ludicrous as suggesting that Mother Teresa was supportive of pedophilia. 

Stirring up hatred by characterizing anyone as a Muslim has reached the most wicked of levels.  Through this newfound confidence to openly and often express these perversions has come the depraved charge that President Obama is a Muslim, although ample and undeniable evidence exists as to his Christian faith.  Mit Romney’s Mormon faith was also called into question reminding us that we have never had a Mormon as a president.

 While this intransigence fueled by the sickness of bigotry and hatred are disturbing, they are far from new to Americans. 

 Imagine America after the Civil War.   Roughly 2% of the population or 620,000 men lost their lives.  Taken as a percentage of today’s population, the toll would be estimated at 6 million lives lost.  It was a country where almost everyone had lost a son, brother, husband or other family members and dear friends to the conflict. 

 Polarization and vindictiveness fueled by hatred ran rampant when President Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865.  Would he fan the flames of hatred for political expediency or would he take the unpopular position of attempting to quell the blood lust?

 Lincoln’s address was surprisingly brief.  It was a profound reflection on the meaning of the Civil War.  He focused on the aftermath emphasizing that uniting the country would fail if we didn’t find a lasting peace within ourselves.  He cautioned that peace could not prevail if we continued to believe; “until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword…”  He warned that that insanity would only further fuel far more death, destruction and polarization.

 He pleaded for a united understanding by emphasizing how both sides suffered terribly in the conflict.  “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.”

 There is little doubt that Lincoln’s counsel and encouragement began a healing process that was instrumental in averting even more killing and death.  In the 150 years that has followed, the struggle continued as it continues today.  While atrocities were committed and lives were lost, nothing approaching a half million deaths were necessary to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

So, in the final analysis we have a dictate to ending the polarization crippling our nation.  All that is needed is for us to heed Lincoln’s wisdom.  Dispel our vengeance, vindictiveness and hatreds.  Focus on what unites us and the important work we must yet accomplish. Pray for Divine guidance.  This is the path we must, once again, march, to find unity and peace.  

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds,… to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”  ~ Abraham Lincoln – March 4, 1865