Tribes…
In society today, we make such a big “show” of being independent and “authentically true” to ourselves. We can “say and do whatever the F&@K we want and just try and stop me…” #MyTruth, #LivingMyBestLife, #Authenticity, #MyTrueSelf, and on and on and on it goes… (Sorry, but I have never really used a hashtag in my life, so I don’t really know what people might “actually” write… but you get the idea) Really?
It seems to me that everyone in this world simply wants to “identify” with this group or that sexual orientation or this ideology or that religion or whatever political party and all it consequences… without ANY interest in ACTUALLY thinking things through. We are more interested in being “right” or at least on the “right side” than we are in actually thinking about who we are and how we fit into this world.
I recently saw a video where Charlie Kirk was at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and he was confronted by a young man who was visibly upset that Charlie was there. The young man handled himself admirably but he made two statements that made me think. First, he stated that Charlie was at “our party” and second, he said, “you do not belong.”
Why doesn’t Charlie Kirk belong at the Democratic National Convention? Because he is a Conservative and a Republican? Because he says inflammatory things and often questions people in a way that is upsetting? Because he actively works against Democrats in tangible ways? Because he is a clear participant in the Us vs. Them narrative? Because he is disliked?
I think these are important questions. More importantly, I think if this country and the ideals of this country that ALL people are important and equal and deserve “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happyness (I know this is spelled wrong but for some reason I think this is how it is spelled in the Declaration of Independence) it is going to require a WHOLE LOT LESS tribalism and Us vs. Them and a WHOLE LOT MORE self-thought, analysis, and even perhaps criticism along with acceptance… no matter the tribe from which one comes.
Everyone from young to old seems to need that sense of belonging. Unfortunately right now our world is so polarized that when someone finds their “tribe” it appears that mob mentality rules all, and that person ends up clinging to extreme beliefs in order to be accepted so as not to stand out as an individual with opinions who could otherwise end up being targeted. I’m a little frightened of the intensity with which these “tribes” grow and the need they feel for severe exclusion—I also wonder about the inevitable breaking point and the resulting consequences of long term lack of individual thought.
That’s my deep thinking for the day! 😉
Thank you, as always, for such a good reply, Betsy! Much appreciated! Although I DO think there is SOME FEAR involved in not wanting to stand out and be targeted within the “tribes” we personally “ideniify” with, I think the bigger problem is that we “no longer think.” The older generations that were actually “taught” how to think critically and analyze and form our own opinions and thoughts are being placated by our phones and social media and “busy lives” and the younger generations are not being taught “critical thinking” at all. I mean, I have literally watched kids in school scroll through Tik Tok for HOURS without REALLY analyzing even ONE of the videos they WILLINGLY consume… ALL OF US DO THE SAME THING… to different extents… scary to me. Again, thank you for the response and the CHANCE to think critically! APPRECIATED!