“We all live in assisted living.”
These words of wisdom were shared with me years ago by my mentor, friend and colleague, the Reverend Doctor Bill Mcelvaney. Bill was well known as a social justice advocate who literally wrote the book on “Becoming a justice seeking congregation.” His idea of social justice was rooted in the firm belief that every person both needs and deserves assistance. And every person has a sacred obligation to assist our fellow human beings, each of whom is created in God’s holy image.
Bill’s conviction is essential not just for a healthy ego, but for a healthy nation.
A well functioning nation supports interdependence. We can’t live or protect ourselves without collaboration, coordination, and compromise.
This week’ s Republican National Committee Convention completely disregards and dismisses this existential truth. By enabling the President to hold his “Trumpapalooza,”
the RNC affirms that they now are a committee of one. No objection is permissible when the President lies about the condition of our country, or his own self-proclaimed “achievements.” There is no discomfort expressed when he spews vitriol against powerful allies or defenseless neighbors. No warnings are sounded about the dangers
of dismantling the rule of law, even from those who are well aware that when you do away with legal protection for some, no one is secure.
There is no opposition inside the American Airlines Center. Which is why it is so important to show it here, on the outside, in the public square.
We the people speak up for the common good when private interests are bankrupting our nation economically and spiritually.
We the people dissent when the President uses our money and our strength to wage wars with no achievable objectives, bomb innocents across the globe, and build monuments to himself.
We the people insist that our elected officials act with respect for human life, promoting the humane treatment of those here at home and abroad.
There is only one way to dethrone a tyrant democratically and non-violently, and that is for ordinary people to refuse to comply. At a time when elected officials seek to divide us from each other, stripping one group after another of fundamental freedoms and undermining our shared humanity, we choose to come together to dissent and desist.
Doing so doesn’t mean we agree about everything. In a democracy, people agree to disagree. In a democracy, elected officials serve the people by seeking a more perfect union, not by spewing divisive, destructive rhetoric.
We all live in assisted living. Let’s assist each other as we fight to restore our country to its true greatness- the greatness forged by our diversity, a diversity that reflects the holiness and sanctity of all life.
~Rabbi Nancy Kasten
