The insanity of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought some thoughts of mine into focus. I look at the actions of President Zelenskyy and marvel at his strength, determination, and leadership at a time of such peril. I wonder what has caused the seriously outnumbered citizens of Ukraine to fight with such ferocity against seemingly unbeatable odds.
As a democracy that has existed for only thirty years, I marvel at the depth of commitment to the idea of a nation that is so ingrained in the 44 million residents that they are putting their lives on the line every day. For the million-plus who have fled, I believe that decision shows just as much courage. Everything they have loved and known has been left behind in a rush that is almost unimaginable in its desperation to protect family members.
The situation reminds me of what being a citizen of a particular country should entail, what responsibilities come with such a designation. It raises the question of whether I would respond the way the Ukrainians have to an unprovoked attack and threat to everything I hold dear.
Hopefully, I will never have to find out. But, even if not under military invasion, being a citizen demands I commit to certain principles and actions. Someone who lives in a country and benefits from all that entails must take certain steps to protect all that he or she holds dear. We are part of the "team." In large part, our actions will determine our future.
What are our duties to take part in and protect this grand experiment known as American democracy? These come to mind:
1) Commit to being educated. I would argue this is the most important requirement. A citizen must take the time to learn about the issues, to think deeply about the problems and opportunities we face, and to avoid the tendency to accept whatever the media or our favorite talking heads have to say.
Just because something is on the Internet, TV, or radio does not mean it is accurate and true, though it may be. A citizen's responsibility is to dig deeper. Consult multiple sources for insight, including those outside your normal comfort zone. Talk to others, form your own opinions but be prepared to change what you think if new information becomes available. Rigidity is not compatible with education.
2) Commit to participate. Not voting makes you no better than a non-citizen. Not supporting candidates and issues you believe in leaves you no right to complain about the outcome. Of course, you have the privilege and responsibility to oppose against things you feel passionately about. But, if you don't play in the game, you can't simply complain about the score.
3) Commit to support or deny support as appropriate. Even if your dream candidate wins, even if every ballot proposition that you support passes, your duties are not over. There will be people, maybe lots of them, who disagree with you. You must work to support what you think is important and withdraw your support if someone or something doesn't seem right.
As the next point states, that doesn't mean you stop paying taxes if you dislike the IRS. It doesn't mean you occupy a federal building to protest a policy you find odious. It does mean you vote against people or things. It does mean you legally protest, with signs or petitions. You use your money and time to support or deny support.
4) Commit to following the rules. With a civilized, organized society comes the rule of law. As much as a citizen disagrees with the speed trap south of town, if caught driving faster than posted, he will pay the fine. If called to jury duty she will serve. If someone disagrees with a point of law you don't disobey it but work to change it. As our society is structured, the Supreme Court is the ultimate arbitrator. Disagree with a finding? Work to change the law. A citizen doesn't have the right to disobey legal statutes he disagrees with, as January 6th should have clearly demonstrated. Otherwise, we face anarchy.
5) Commit to being committed. Being a good citizen is not a part-time job. You can't "turn it on" in an election year and then hibernate until the next one. As the points above should make clear, this is a full-time responsibility.
Thanks for the Citizenship 101 lesson, Bob. Another great post...
ReplyDeleteSometimes we need to go back to the beginning and start again with the basics.
DeleteBob, great post.
ReplyDeleteI have come to the conclusion that your first point is the most critical for the survival of America and liberal democracy in general. It pains me to say it, but I find that there is a stunning level of ignorance across the educational and political spectrum. We are the most entertained and least informed western country, and I say that as someone who once daily encountered students and scholars from all over the world. People on both extremes have decided to substitute anger and outrage for knowledge and understanding. I have highly educated friends who can give you a summary of the current status of the NFL, or what happened on the last episode of "Yellowstone," but can't name their congressional representative... even though they express anger about their performance. I remember Mark Twain saying that "someone who does not read good books has no advantage over someone who cannot read."
I may have done this before, but I would offer what I consider one of the best summations of our current status, penned by Neil Postman in the forward to his 1985 book: "Amusing Ourselves to Death." He compares the vision of the future as envisioned by the books "1984," by George Orwell and "Brave New World," by Aldous Huxley. I find myself in agreement with Huxley regarding the current state of America, Orwell with that of Russia. Neither circumstance is desirable.
Here is the link to Postman:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/40581-we-were-keeping-our-eye-on-1984-when-the-year
Rick in Oregon
With some in our midst trying to ban books that make them uncomfortable or expose their children to unpleasant truths, the parallels are on target. When a society is so fragile that any fact that disturbs the majority narrative, like the horrible truth about slavery or genocide against the native people, is hidden or deemed too unpleasant, I don't hold out much hope for future generations.
DeleteAll of us were raised on the concept of Manifest Destiny. The only truth in that phrase would be that might makes right, or the winner writes the history.
What a sad but true phrase: "We are the most entertained and least informed western country ... " so hear, hear to both you and Rick in Oregon.
ReplyDeleteWhen our young people spend an average of 7-9 hours a day on social media, what hope is there for thought, intelligence, 0r an attention span longer than 10 seconds?
DeleteFrom my reading I have seen that our greatest security threat in America is from domestic terrorism, not “outsiders.” This civil war within America is eating away at the roots of our democracy.The loss of common decency between humans is frightening,too. A thoughtful post. I,too,believe we have a moral responsibility to ourselves, our families,friends, and our country.To those who have been give much,much is required” has always been a motto of mine. I usually get overwhelmed when I think of how I am supposed to “HELP” so I go with “small” and local. Volunteer at a food bank,tutor a child, help out a young mother, let someone go ahead of you at the grocery,VOTE VOTE VOTE. Donate money goods and services when able. READ some GOOD Literature about the founding of our democracy and LEARN MORE about our privilege. And, for me,prayer and meditation form an underpinning to keep me centered, in good times and the troubled times.
ReplyDeleteAll good suggestions, Madeline. I agree that a vocal and militant minority our own citizens form the biggest threat to the continuation of democracy. There is no way we will celebrate 300 years with our form of government if there isn't a serious and lifechanging adjustment to what passes for our collective culture today.
DeleteWhy is it the loudest voices comes from those who are seek to still all other voices? When will the majority of us say, "enough?"
I also was researching where to donate that is a legit organization and we have found Catholic Charities. I want to directly help the refugees in Ukraine.
DeleteRegarding "I wonder what has caused the seriously outnumbered citizens of Ukraine to fight with such ferocity against seemingly unbeatable odds". Perhaps it's because the people of a 30 year old democracy have first hand knowledge of what they stand to lose while those of us that live in democracies of 200+ years take for granted.
ReplyDeleteThe best explanation of why the citizens of Ukraine fight that I saw was written by Andrew Coyne in the Globe and Mail newspaper and I have put a few sentences of what he wrote below.
******
"Here is the measure of the Ukrainians’ courage: they fight, not because they think they can win, but knowing they will probably lose.
Outnumbered and outgunned, they fight on, because the alternative is to accept what cannot be accepted: submission to Vladimir Putin’s brutal dictatorship, submergence in his reconstituted Russian Empire, and with it the extinction of all their hopes of a free and democratic future.
Ukraine is at war with a nuclear power. Its soldiers are shooting at Russian soldiers every day. Mr. Putin could order a nuclear strike on it at any moment. And yet they fight on. Because they have no choice? No. Because they have chosen."
- Andrew Coyne, The Globe & Mail
I saw something on the internet that brought me to tears. An elderly, Ukrainian woman was confronting Russian soldiers, telling them that they are invaders, not wanted in her country and doing evil. And she offered each of them a handful of Sunflower seeds. She said, "We will fight you, because you are evil, but if you have these in your pocket, out of your body in the spring will come something beautiful."
DeleteI cried.
Rick in Oregon
David: they have chosen to die as free individuals rather than live as pawns.
DeleteRick: I saw that story, too. One brave lady who was prepared to be shot dead for her principles.
Very good post Bob. Our local paper had a reader editorial I liked. "George Washington bought and owned slaves. Is that CRT or historical fact?"
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly true, as did Thomas Jefferson and several of the Founding Fathers. "All men are created equal" did not include blacks or women.
DeleteGreat post and well worth saying. I'd add only one point. Commit to acting with charity. Reach into your pocket and give. Now. "The pain of others creates a reason for me to help them," philosopher John Searle says. Ukraine's refugees need our financial help.
ReplyDeleteA very small dollop of help, but I bought a painting from a Ukrainian artist on Etsy. The painting is downloaded so there is no shipping. The money goes into her account within hours to help her feed her family.
DeleteWish this could be fleshed put for a HS civics class bit the far right Repuglicans would oppose it probably
ReplyDeleteI hold out the belief that the reality of the GOP in Congress doesn't represent the majority of Republicans in the country.
DeleteAS the post makes clear, the loudest most extreme voices attract the most attention.
Thank you for putting concrete steps to the overwhelmed-ness I feel about this horrific situation. You are correct in stating, "You can't "turn it on" in an election year and then hibernate until the next one." Your Etsy contribution is a good one. I also read that renting an Airbnb in Ukraine is getting money to the people. Our small church has direct contact with missionaries who remained in Ukraine and we are sending aid.
ReplyDeleteThank you for addressing this pivotal historic moment where every little bit can contribute to a greater good.
It is one of those rare instances in our recent history where people are responding to other people in need, regardless of the politics.
DeleteThanks Charlene.
Beautifully written, Bob. As far as: "Hopefully, I will never have to find out. But, even if not under military invasion, being a citizen demands I commit to certain principles and actions. Someone who lives in a country and benefits from all that entails must take certain steps to protect all that he or she holds dear. We are part of the "team." In large part, our actions will determine our future." I think we had a hint of what some citizens would do under threat with the Coronavirus. Somehow, their perception of their "freedoms" were more important than the protection of others.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid you are correct: "personal freedoms," or selfishness has replaced shared well being for too many.
DeleteI always wonder how those who protest government involvement would react if they realized there would be no regulated power, safe water, roads, airplanes, cars, Social Security or Medicare if their dream came true. There would be no schools, no freedom of religion, no police no military...the list is endless.
The scenes and stories from Ukraine are beyond upsetting. My DH is a WWII history buff and he is as disturbed by this as anything since I've known him. The Russian attacks on civilians make me wonder how this can go on in 2022.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your points, Bob, and I think I'm most worried about education which is really the basis of all of them. More and more people seem to get their "knowledge" from their self chosen internet sites. And read less and less critically if at all. So discouraging. The one bright spot to me is the support we see worldwide for the Ukrainians. One can only hope they hold out long enough to survive this. Zelensky is a real hero.
Zelenskyy is showing what a true leader and patriot looks like. If he survives I hope he he is in line for a Nobel Peace prize.
DeleteEducation is the difference between a country's success and failure. At the moment we are failing both ourselves and our children in this regard.
Hi Bob! I agree wholeheartedly with all your "commitments" EXCEPT the one about following the rules. I think I understand why you added it and part of me likes it too...but things would NEVER change if we all just followed the rules. Change is messy and sometimes messy needs to happen to make thing better. Think of a few things that might never have changed if people just followed the rules: The end of slavery, a women's right to vote, a women's right to own property or sue, civil rights legislation, Gandhi freeing India, Colin Kaepernick Kneeling at a football game, etc. Of course I'm guessing that you meant breaking rules in such a violent and unsubstantiated way as January 6th -- but again, change is messy. Unfortunately unless and until our country unites enough, educates itself and commits to democracy like it appears that the Ukrainians have, then we might be facing more of the same. --Kathy
ReplyDelete