“What did you do about it?”
It’s a question I have thought a lot about over the past few years. It’s a question one of my grandchildren may ask me someday. It’s a question I’ll ask myself in the future.
“When our country and the world was ravaged by division and unkindness, what did you do about it?”
When considering this question, I admit that the majority of my thoughts inevitably turn to “why.” “Why are we so unkind to each other?” “Why do differences in race or political ideology give rise to such division and unkindness?” “How is it possible that so many of us — and if I’m honest, how is it that I — can support, or at least not raise our voices against, public figures who have such open disdain for kindness, for empathy, and for loving our neighbors as ourselves?”
From my experience, the answers to the “why” can be complex as well as genuine. (And to be fair, on the political front, how can we possibly make nuanced voting decisions, or be judged by such decisions, with only two real options to choose from.)
Ultimately, if we are honest with ourselves, I think we believe that we are inherently correct in our positions and that the future of our country depends on ensuring the success of our ideals — even if it entails adopting means that we would not otherwise embrace, or, more accurately, even if it means supporting people who adopt means that we would not necessarily embrace.
But, is this right?
Much has been written about the theological and philosophical implications of Machiavelli’s argument. Lucky for you, I’m not a philosopher and, regardless, I’m not sure theoretical arguments hold much sway with folks these days given the current circumstances.
No, my take on the whole “ends-justify-the-means” argument and on the rationalizations we rely on to insulate us in the current circumstances is simply this: I think that kindness is key for each of us in our individual and societal quest to find equality, liberty, and peace.
Yes, I am advocating for kindness. I believe it works.
We each have different experiences. Different pain. Different successes. Our experiences are real. So too are the different outlooks borne out of such experiences. I think it’s hard at times to accept this truth, regardless of our belief system.
My personal belief — and a belief shared by many believers — is that we are not just created in His image; we are actually His creations. So for me, if any of us have the temerity to demonize an entire group of people based on their racial or political beliefs, we need to take it up with Him.
If we do, I’m confident we will find that He has the ability to enlighten our minds, expand our hearts, and help us see things — and people — as they really are. And then, ironically, we become much more effective in persuading the world to consider and embrace the principles of equality and freedom that mean so much to each of us.
Kipling said it well I think:
The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget — lest we forget!
So what am I doing about it? For starters, I’m going to focus on being kind (as hard as that can be at times). It may not solve all of our complex problems, but I think it can make an important difference.
Who is with me?
Jordan Toone
Jordan Toone is a corporate attorney practicing in Salt Lake City. He lives in Kaysville with his wife and five children.