As I grieve the thousands of immigrants – and some citizens – languishing in unregulated detention centers after sudden and sometimes violent detentions, I long for one thing:
A revolution, but really a “kind renewal” of our self-governance. Revolution implies a return – we need something new – and kind.
It is kind to share. With 90% of our wealth owned by 1% of our citizens, taxing the 1% is logical and would allow us to meet all basic needs such as shelter and food as well as income for the disabled.
Non-violence is kind: the human belief that as parents or responsible citizens, we need to “make someone feel bad to do good.” Nonviolent communication and restorative justice and firm but kind parenting lead the child/perpetrator to self-examine rather than suffer punitive consequences that feed resentment of that punishment. And as thinking beings, might should not make right – reason should. No more war.
Kindness is a human feeling: and corporations are not people. Citizens United allows wealth to drive our government, rather than science. Let’s let research on what supports thriving to drive us, not the almighty dollar. Public education was begun to develop good citizens with critical thinking skills. Attacking one another based on myths from social media is not kind – or productive, and has left us in a sea of reactive anxiety.
Our government has been dismantled, and the infrastructure of an authoritarian regime including more prisons and military is absurd. Let’s not react back and start a Civil War. Let’s kill this with kindness.
Liza Tregillus, MSW
Durango
