Pulling Together

 

Published approximately 9/28/05

 

Many people have expressed pride in the way we’re all pulling together to help each other after Hurricane Katrina.

 

This phenomenon is not unique to any particular country or geographical area. I think all humans understand, when/if we stop to think about it, that in order for each of us to survive we often must place the welfare of the community above our own interests.

 

This is one of the sad (to me) consequences of our nation’s material progress. We’ve all become so comfortable that we seem to take our neighbors for granted.

 

Although I don’t know a WHOLE lot about the so-called “primitive” cultures that exist today, or the Native American cultures that existed before white people came here, I DO think that such cultures are preferable to ours in one very important way: due to their stark living conditions, EVERYONE in their communities has a purpose.  Lacking the comforts that we have, these cultures are forced to look past individual differences and learn to see the good, and worth, in EVERY one of their fellow citizens. They cannot afford, as we can, to judge, reject, ridicule, and isolate people for their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or personal quirks.

 

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a culture where one is immersed in a nurturing environment that provides for one’s needs while at the same time demonstrating its need for one’s own contributions as well?

 

I like to ask Americans whether, with all our conveniences and comforts, we’re any happier than the members of “primitive” cultures.  I think not.  In fact, I think we’re less so.

 

Americans should ask themselves whether they would feel better surrounded by their material possessions or a loving, nurturing family and community.

 

Human nature being what it is, we can’t seem to have both.