Hawthorn Hill Journal by Richard deRosa

From Tucson, with Hopes for Harmony, Humanity, Reconciliation

From time to time, I have been asked what might be a central theme in my writing. In the past I have referenced Henry James’ short story “A Figure in the Carpet.” As James puts it, every writer writes from the vantage point of a central conviction. Of course, one might spoke out from that center in many ways, depending on the topic, but most of us are informed by core assumptions about the nature of things. My answer to that question has always been that when I do write about my fellow human beings it is always grounded in the belief that we have much more in common with one another than we give ourselves credit for. Of late I have come to consider that yes, when it comes to certain basic needs, we do have much in common. And that despite our political persuasions those basic, very human, instincts should enable us to cohere civilly and morally despite abstract ideological differences. We have the capacity to find ways to live in reasonable harmony with one another. That, after all, is what these United States are supposed to be all about.

I am not so sure anymore. Emerson writes in one of his essays that to know all men one merely needs to look within himself. But when I look within and consider all the points of my moral compass I see someone whose notions of fairness, decency, civility, and compassion for the other in no way coincide with the behaviors and actions of far too many of my fellow citizens. Obviously, expecting a complete harmony of values and virtue in the commons would be unrealistic. But that is the very ideal upon which this country is based. We are not a perfect union and never will be. We need to try a lot harder even though the ideal may always be out of reach. One place to start is by curtailing the meanness that seems rampant. Far too much of that abounds in the land. And unfortunately, its most despicable catalyst is the current occupant of the White House, or what’s left of it. Rare in our country’s history have we had a president for whom meanness and nastiness and vindictiveness are his primary character traits. Not all the blame is on his back. It takes a village. As has always been the case, willing sycophants do much of the dirty work.

I have nothing in common with the people who laughed and clapped at the recent prayer breakfast in response to crude and morally reprehensible comments by the president, especially his ad hominem attacks on some individuals who were there. It is not acceptable to pass it off as more of the usual. At the very least, such behavior is embarrassing.

I have nothing in common with masked thugs who smash in car windows, pull women and children out of their cars, and drag them off to God knows where. Well, in many cases to disgusting, inhumane detention centers miles away. I do have a lot in common with a duly assigned ICE official who does not hide behind a mask, who respects the constitutional rights of every American, and goes about his job the way any legitimate police officer would. I have much in common with those who appreciate law enforcement officers who perform their tasks, unmasked by the way, every day following established protocols, which most do.

I have nothing in common with yahoos in trucks yelling “F…..” while driving past peaceful protestors. I have nothing in common with those who hang banners on their barns that say “F….. Biden.” I have nothing in common with anyone who has so little respect for the planet and the health and well-being of every citizen that they would willfully do all in their power to dismantle environmental policies and practices aimed at ensuring we have clean air to breathe and water to drink. And, I have nothing in common with those so ideologically blinded that they see no reality but their own.

Despite all this, I continue to be optimistic about our chances of repairing the rupture we now face. My writing will always be informed by what brings us together rather than what divides us. I really do not care whether one is a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent. Frankly, when one’s thinking is confined within the borders of an intransigent ideology, discourse of any kind is precluded. While I find myself at odds with some, as indicated above, the solution is not vilification of the other. Rather, it is to find ways of accommodating one another. The courage of the people of Minnesota and thousands of people in other states reminds us that when good takes on evil, in whatever form it takes, it can prevail. I believe that what galvanized all those thousands of people to take a stand exhibited a collective outrage at the savage, inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. A reaction rooted in what we have in common: our shared humanity.

Dick deRosa’s Hawthorn Hill essays have appeared in “The Freeman’s Journal” since 1998. A collection, “Hawthorn Hill Journal: Selected Essays,” was published in 2012. He is a retired English teacher.