January 07, 2006
Turning the corner
I awakened Saturday morning to a BBC interview with Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the UK's Sustainable Development Commisssion, and leading environmentalist, discussing his new book "Capitalism:As If The World Matters". He has a unique idea. That is, that there is money to be made in doing things that are good for the earth and humankind -- an alternative to the sleazy, greedy, depleting, mean, short sighted, destructive tactics of most of today's capitalists. I wonder if I can buy his book with my Americano credit card..
As if that weren't enough, Porritt's interview was followed by Rajmohan Ghandi, grandson of Mahatma, talking about the power of non-violence. In a 1998 interview with Awesome Library, Ghandi made these points:
Awesome Library: "It makes sense that we should listen to children if we expect to work together with them. What are your views on the root causes of conflict between groups?"
Rajmohan Gandhi:
"Selective history"
"Ambition to play on the hurt and angry feelings of others"
"Leaders helping us escape from economic, educational, and health problems with emotional reactions"
"Finding a scapegoat in the stranger; blaming the stranger"
Awesome Library: "What is the antidote? What will fix this?"
Rajmohan Gandhi: "Humanity needs to realize that there is no 'stranger;' we need to know that the 'enemy' is like us; we need to see the 'enemy' in ourselves. Our 'enemies' are more like us than different. We must realize four things, actually:"
1. "The 'enemy' is me"
2. "Hatred injures ourselves more than those we hate"
3. "Forgiveness is possible; we can be healed"
4. "Perpetrators can repent and be forgiven"
"Blame, hate and war do not help us. We have tried them for centuries, but they do not help."
Damn good points.
And THEN, this evening, Doris Kearns Goodwin was interviewed about her book "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln", in which she elucidates Lincoln's emotional depth and maturity. He always kept in mind his life's purpose -- leaving a positive legacy, rather than making decisions that preserved his ego. He welcomed feedback from the opposition, and appointed his critics to important positions when he felt they would be the right men for the job. I certainly hope W. has Doris' book on the reading list for his next vacation -- which should be coming up soon
And so, even though I have been posting embittered, pessimistic, outraged pieces about what's making me sick , Public Broadcasting has arranged to help me turn the corner, offering up lovely interviews with people who have positive visions about what they want, rather than what they don't want.
I am expecting my nasal passages to clear momentarily.
Photo note: You will notice that the smiles say "Clarity" - they are really little lapel pins with flashing LEDs -- advertisement for a product, but much more. I tried to capture them on film many times, singly and in combination-- 400 flashing spectacularly in a basket -- to no avail. I finally carried a few that I had hauled home, outside onto the porch, into bright sunlight, and shot.-- thus the deep shadows, which we always love, and the peeling paint.
Posted by Dakota at January 7, 2006 06:50 AM