Post Pandemic — What’s next?
With so much damage done to our feeling of safety and security, how can we move forward.
Safety and trust are two basic conditions for living a good life. It is my experience that both of these have been compromised as this virus has ravaged the world. Political systems are being scrutinized for how they have handled things, personal health and safety has been uncertain, and interpersonal relationships have been damaged or severed due to differing beliefs about the whole thing. How in the blazes do we even begin to put ourselves back together again?
In my lifetime I don’t think I have ever experienced the extreme divisiveness that has occurred on so many levels at the same time. We can definitely see on a global scale how divided countries can be, or even provinces within a country, as we have been responding to this crisis. But we can also see right in our own homes how this issue has divided us from our loved ones. Who would have thought that an outside force would come right into our neighbourhoods, right into our marriages and families, and cause such extreme divisions.
I was taught when I was young that when you have company over you don’t talk religion or politics. The premise was that these topics were too hot for debate, especially if you and your neighbour were not on the same page. Bring them up and there was a possibility that you might not be friends any longer. Well that politeness is certainly out the window now, isn’t it?!
I worry a lot these days about this, mostly because I myself seem to be breaking my own rule too often. When someone brings up an opposing view on covid, vaccinations, masking… or even the legitimacy of any of it, an irresistible urge to wrap my fingers around their neck emerges so suddenly and intensely that it scares me. Sometimes I can keep my opinions to myself. Often I cannot, and an argument ensues. I have never before had this problem to this degree. What has happened to me? Have I lost my empathy and the ability to listen to another point of view? I hope not, given that it is a basic requirement in my profession and inherently who I have known myself to be.
It makes me wonder what has been percolating under the surface for all of us, perhaps for many years prior to Covid-19. Has there been a slow burn building maybe due to external stressors that is now putting our opinions and rights on the front burner? Maybe. Is covid itself, including the fear and restrictions associated with it, driving people to extreme actions? Likely. Have people been living unhappy and stressful lives for a while, and now is the tipping point? Possibly.
Let’s look at some of the possible contributing factors, and what we can do about it.
Decline of Democracy
I am not a political scientist, so my contribution to this discussion will be limited to the feelings I have and the research I found.
Corruption and inefficiency are contributing factors to people being disillusioned about the politicians and political parties that are voted in. Common pitfalls in people of power anywhere, for that matter. I believe fundamentally that we are all capable as humans of corruption, especially when tempted. If it is right in front of you, capitalizing on personal gain can overcome the best intentioned individual and challenge our values. Combine that with the inefficiency that seems to run rampant in politics (why DO they make all of those promises that don’t seem to come to fruition?), we have at least a faction of the population that are very disgruntled. Rightfully so.
Our alternatives however seem to be limited and put us at risk of “get rich quick” schemes in the figurative sense. When someone or a group dangles a carrot in front of you when you are starving, it is a mighty fine carrot. But at what cost?
Democratic backsliding is a term wikipedia uses to describe the subtle shift from democracy towards a rise in populist-authoritarianism. This feeds upon our fears and promises us a better life. I try to keep in mind my mother’s wee words of wisdom: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I don’t think Donald Trump was successful in “making America great again”, but obviously many were hoping that would be true.
As democracy seems to fail us or let us down, I think it is natural to fight back and want better for ourselves. However, engaging in divisive action is not going to solve our problems.
So what is the solution to preserving our democracy? Political scientist Jennifer Victor makes three simple suggestions: (1) vote; (2) build community — meet your neighbours, volunteer, appreciate one another’s differences; and (3) read — subscribe to a local or national newspaper, read poetry, read plays…anything more than 240 characters, as reading stimulates the mind.
Saving democracy probably requires very big and very small changes. Maybe voting, community building, and reading won’t save the republic, but they aren’t going to hurt it. When I have given public talks about politics, many people express concern about the stability and future of the country. They want to do more and are not sure what to do. My reading of research about political efficacy and democratic values suggests everyone can contribute to strengthening the social fabric that provides the foundation for democratic institutions. Advocate for structural reforms, but make adjustments to everyday activity, too. We can bolster democracy, but we have to do the work.
Climate Change
Climate anxiety is on the rise. The American Psychological Association defines ecoanxiety as “the chronic fear of environmental doom” (The Globe and Mail, May 21/22, Opinion by Britt Wray). Britt is the author of Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. In a survey that she and her colleagues did with 10,000 young people across 10 countries, findings illuminated that climate change has had a significant negative impact on their lives.
This not only causes a myriad of emotions from sadness to anger to helplessness, but also leaves us feeling disenchanted with those in power. Yet another reason not to trust or rely on world leaders. When we can’t trust those who we vote in and are supposed to care about us, what are we left with? Despair and fear come to mind. It is difficult to move forward in a world where the future seems so uncertain.
The solution? Share your concerns in a safe space. Your scared or angry feelings show that you care. However, don’t get stuck in the negativity of it. Get involved and use that energy to make a difference. For example, clinical psychologist and climate activist Margaret Klein Salamon runs a project called Climate Awakening. Check it out, join a conversation, and see what you can do.
Working Class Slavery
According to Wikipedia, the proletariat is defined as the social class of wage-earners, those members of a society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labour power (their capacity to work).
Marxist philosophy considers the proletariat to be exploited under capitalism, forced to accept meager wages in return for operating the means of production, which belong to the class of business owners, the bourgeoisie.
Marx argued that this oppression gives the proletariat common economic and political interests that transcend national boundaries, impelling them to unite and take over power from the capitalist class, and eventually to create a communist society free from class distinctions. — Wikipedia
If we take a look at our society today and the vast difference between wages and the cost of living, this as a possible contributing factor to dissatisfaction in people’s lives seems very likely. People are clearly feeling the need to fight back and take over power, that’s for sure.
I watched a great documentary in 2017 called Free Lunch Society which illustrated through years of research how providing a basic living wage might be the answer. The naysayers believe that giving people money without requiring them to work for it will make them lazy. However, time after time it has already been proven that this is not the case. As a matter of fact, when one’s essential needs are being met, research says that it does the opposite. People get creative, excited, are motivated to pursue passions and work because they want to, not because they have to. This provision would remove the tyranny of wage slavery and is a great step toward accommodating a disappearing job market that mechanization is creating.
Forgiveness
I figured ending this article with some hope anchored in forgiveness may be a good idea.
As Andrea Gibson of Things That Don’t Suck says “Forgiveness Is Like Spring Cleaning For My Psyche.” I love that. She also goes on to say “my personal commitment is to forgive as much as I can, as each time I do my heart feels less and less like a cluttered, messy room.”
I also like the expression that “deciding not to forgive is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill the other person.” Well that is pretty clear!
But who are we forgiving for what? First of all, I think we need to forgive ourselves. Be more kind in acknowledging who we are, instead of who we aren’t. Also giving ourselves permission to be human, understanding that we all make mistakes and there are no perfect people walking around. Another great quote from Andrea: “the hardest people in the world to forgive are the people we once were, the people we are trying not to stir into the recipe of who we are now. If I’m struggling to forgive someone there is a fairly good chance I’m not yet right with myself.”
Once forgiveness towards self has been accomplished, you will feel lighter and better able to extend forgiveness towards others. Even if your neighbour or family member carries an opposing view to your own — try to listen and be curious. You can gain understanding through trying to understand where they are coming from, even if you don’t agree. Listening and showing empathy is not agreeing. It is showing care and a willingness to know them better. Saying sorry if you need to can also be of the most freeing experiences, once you get used to it. Don’t be like me and wait until you are in your thirties to even START apologizing. So many wasted years and fractured relationships.
A more difficult place to forgive may lie in the people in power. Politicians and health professionals who have been on the forefront of this pandemic have beared the brunt on the front lines. Sometimes they bring us comfort and good news. Sometimes the opposite. As noted above, they too are only human and perhaps giving them the benefit of the doubt, or forgiveness if they need it, may be just what is necessary to move on ourselves.
As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison. — Nelson Mandela
