We are momentarily paralyzed deciding how to respond to this moment. Our hearts ache to support the righteousness of the protests and Black Lives Matter. We march alongside the protestors and utter words of support. Yet, we are at a loss as to how to make that support real, substantive, caring, and long-lasting. From lay folks and language experts to professional academics, there is a sense of disconnection and free-floating uncertainty as to what to say, how to explain, and how to respond.
Part of the problem is that we recognize the enormity of what needs to change. That those changes must occur at different levels, from personal to social, from kindergarden to corporate. And this enormity is paralyzing for we recognize that such changes take time, yet we need an immediate response. One solution out of this dilemma is to start with fundamental causes. That is, we must get to the root of the root of the problem. We need to understand what the fundamental motivating force is behind the problem. In this case, knowing the root of systemic racism may help us consider more long-term solutions.
Most of us live creatively and function well in the world. E.E. Cummings expressed this beautifully in the poem I Carry Your Heart with Me. In it he conveys that when we carry the heart of the other, of the world, or of God within our own heart, it becomes “the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart.” But who has not experienced the opposite, the worrying, anxiety, overwhelmed feelings, and seeing no way out of dire circumstances? When the effects of these normal human experiences persist because of events, like the ones we are facing, and they alter our mood, rational deliberation, and behavior, it disrupts the normal flow and joy of living. It disrupts the wonder of life. When this judgment persists and turns unmanageable, it becomes the basis for disorders such autoimmune and emotional disorders, heart problems, addictive behaviors, and suicidal ideation. If the deliberation gets out of control, then psychopathology is the inevitable consequence.
While the pressures of life, such as a medical pandemic and protests against systemic racism, can exacerbate such difficulties, the root of the problem is our anxious, fearful, and uncontrollable mind. Once we understand this root problem, one centered on ego-based thinking, then we must be open to escaping the conundrum and stepping into joyful, creative living. The solutions are easy to understand and available to everyone. Yet, these answers can be the hardest thing for anyone to do, for they call for a genuine change in perception and awareness. These changes start by holding the heart of the other within our own, even if the other is a sadistic policeman who should protect and not hurt us. Gaining knowledge and understanding the problem this way provides insight into our common humanity. It also provides the motivation for the required changes.