And Yet, Another F Word – Fairness

The Universe has taken the opportunity to share many F words with me the past few weeks – Fair popped up on the radar this morning.  Actually, it’s been on my brain radar for quite awhile now – but mostly in the context of what’s not Fair .

Fresh from one of my favorites, Lynne McTaggart, comes The Fairness Campaign.  She eloquently stated all the statistics, science and observed results of what happens in cultures built around Not Fair, allowing me to write about what I want too, without having to give you the background and proof.  (Thanks, Lynne, for again allowing me to do what I love without getting bogged down in the details, which you are so awesome at putting together!)

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I recently watched (yet again) PBS’s installment of The American Experience: The Crash of 1929.   Each time I watch it, I become more aware of the cultural standards and mind-sets that allow these kinds of misfortunes to play out over and over throughout history.

I double-dog dare you to watch it and not see the correlations between the house of cards in 1929 and the collapse in the mortgage and financial market of 2008.

I also dare you to watch those interviewed who say, “Well, the stock market didn’t have all the regulations in place it does today” and not snigger – as anyone who has followed our current economic woes can easily see the same motivations and games that created Black Friday also led to the 2008 disaster.

View with interest the few lone voices who warned there was trouble ahead and who were ridiculed, labeled unpatriotic and even, at the extreme, accused of treason for daring to question the solidity of our Stock Market.

For examples of these lone hero-types leading up to the 2008 debacle, I will refer you to RSA Animate clip “Smile or Die” by Barbara Ehrenreich.  She eloquently shares the stories of those who tried warning of the dangerous waters ahead with sub-prime lending – all who were informed to “Quit being Negative” – our modern label for  “Unpatriotic”.

It’s rather disheartening to see how quickly those who try to steer us from torrents to smooth sailing are all but destroyed by those around them.

And, I wonder yet again, when will we learn?

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Survival of the Fittest does not apply to the species of Man.   It never has.   Without fur, sharp teeth, claws or defensive armor, the only thing our ancestors had going for them was brains and the ability to work together for the good of the group.

Compassion, empathy and intellectual solutions that take care of the whole tribe, not just one or two, is why our species has flourished.

So when those who made millions, billions or trillions out of the crash of 1929 or 2008, (take your pick) shrug and say, “The opportunity was there for anyone – not my fault others didn’t have my vision”, I realize they are not really in tune with the mind-set and values that had to exist in order for them to even have been born.

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I grew up in an era where the parenting phrase, “Life isn’t Fair” was at it’s zenith – indicating to me the residual effects of the crash and depression in our mind-set as a society.   Our physical drive to survive often ends up with our brains coming up with false stories to keep us going through devastating trauma.

Good for us – our instincts are working.

Bad for us, because the 99% of the population who slaves to support the 1% start thinking of ways to either make it to the 1% level, or meekly submit to to the propaganda that states: “You just weren’t smart enough, positive enough or hard-working enough to have ‘made it’.”

Hogwash.

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If you’re in the 99% group of folks who are basically laboring within a feudalistic system, although it has been well disguised, thanks to prolific advertising campaigns, then I implore you to not meekly submit to a structure that is based on robbing the poor to feed the rich.

Being positive has it’s merits, but when you are part of a system that is designed to destroy you in one way or another, you can be the biggest Pollyanna on the block and all it will do is allow you to be peaceful while you’re sitting under the bridge waiting for someone to drop pennies in your hat.  (Peace  has it’s merits, but then we are a species that continually strives for better.  Funny how often the “Better” does not bring Peace.)

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Do you see the strength in that 99%?   What if the 99% banded together to come with their own game – a game based on Fairness, Compassion and an Empathic Society?   What if the 99% of cooperative baboons told the 1% of aggressive mean ones to take a hike?

 What if American farmers, ranchers and producers decided to feed their neighbors and let those who send their maid to the store do without?

Radical, I know – but when I continually face an audience that sees only two options – a money culture or a fanatic survivalist existence – I sometimes wonder if we can wipe the clouds of propaganda from our brains long enough to come up with a happy medium.

But that medium CAN be found – and you can start any day of the week taking small steps towards reinventing the society in which you live.   The voices of discontent are growing – those who promised that which they cannot or will not deliver are in the minority.  There are plenty of us who are tired of playing a game we can’t win.

So why not come up with our own game?   Human labor, cooperation,  ingenuity and  renewable, raw resources are the only things that have ever created abundance.

Money wealth can be created out of thin air – it means nothing unless the above abundance backs it up.  And it will surely fall the moment the 1% who produce nothing but money get out of hand.

You, with all your talent and energy, can choose whether to shore up the Money Game or contribute to the abundance of your local community.   There are those of like mind waiting to join forces with you.

Start the conversation – those who aren’t ready are immediately apparent.  Move on until you find someone willing to trade their eggs for your home made bread.

And be willing to stand by them in court when you both get arrested for not paying the IRS portion of the abundance they did nothing to help create, but nevertheless, want their portion of.

Human Sacrifice

My mind has returned this morning to the valiant efforts by 500+ average citizens after the 1960 Chilean earthquake.

If you’re not familiar with this heroic story, here’s the recap:

Saturday, May 21 – Small earthquake affects Arauco Province.  Holiday celebrations are canceled and emergency relief efforts organized.

Sunday, May 22 – The most powerful earthquake ever recorded affects all of Chile between Talca and Chiloe Island.  Some coastal villages simply disappear.  Mayhem and Chaos rule.

Tsunami waves start testing the mettle of survivors and continue to make their presence known for the next 22 hours.  Some individuals report being tree bound during the night, helplessly listening to cries for help from those they cannot see or reach.

Resulting landslides affect mostly sparsely or unpopulated areas.   However, one blocks the outflow of Rinihue Lake.

Tuesday, May 24 – Cordon Caulle begins to erupt 38 hours after the main shock of the Valdivia earthquake.   Preoccupied by earthquake damages and emergency efforts, the eruption that lasted until July 22nd received little media attention.  For those affected, yawning earth and destructive water is now joined by fire from the heavens.

Heavy spring rains coupled with dammed mountain lakes result in threats of flooding from  above for those who have climbed to escape tsunamis.

Emergency efforts to channel overflow to the ocean ensue.   27 bulldozers get mired in the mud, unusable and ineffective.   Dynamite blasts result in mud showers for all, but no lowering of water levels.

Early one morning, a bevvy of men show up with shovels.   Step-by-mud-sucking-the-boot-off-your-foot-step, they hand dig the lake’s escape route to the ocean.

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When I first heard this story, my heart swelled with pride in the human spark we call ‘spirit’.   Contemporary and subsequent interviews indicate many individuals, both Polytheistic and Catholic,  believed the world to be ending.

Men who had lost some or all of their family, friends and possessions, whose current reality resembled nearly every scenario touted in any tale of Armageddon, chose to show up and dig anyways.

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Amazingly, many books and articles that report on the Human Sacrifice of this period in history do not wax eloquent on the details of these laborers.

Instead, they focus on sporadic, rare reports of a return to the ancient practice of shedding human blood in order to satisfy the gods and restore order to the universe.

In my opinion, those writers missed the boat.

The true Human Sacrifice was those who put body and soul on the line, stubbornly digging through mud when everything around them said, “The End is Here.   Prepare to meet your Maker.”

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I’ve been unable so far to round up much info on these individual heroes.  I did learn an engineer, Raul Saez, is best remembered for leading the effort.

He died on November 24, 1992, a week after being awarded the National Prize for Engineering and one day after being awarded the National Prize for Applied and Technological Sciences.

Wikipedia doesn’t tell me if those prizes were attached to his efforts in 1960.  I am happy he was given some kind of recognition while still alive to receive it.

Historically, we often fail to recognize and acknowledge greatness during the lifetime of an individual.

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End of the world scenarios don’t bother me much.

I figure either I won’t be around to suffer or everyone, myself included, will be blessed with Second Winds and we will dig through mud, even while the world around us indicates, “Give Up!”.

I may not know their names, but I’m inspired by those who shoveled when Armageddon appeared.

Chiune Sugihara

In 1940′s Lithuania, a Japanese diplomat did the unthinkable: in direct defiance of orders, he signed over 6,000 travel visas for Jews, who were either refugees from German and Poland, or Lithuanian citizens, to travel to safety in Japan.

He put his own career, safety and the welfare of his family on the line.

To help people he didn’t have much in common with.

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“Desperate times call for desperate measures” you may say.  But according to Philip Zimbardo, Chiune was used to disobeying orders. He was also a thoughtful, cautious man.

Here’s Mr. Zimbardo’s perspective:

“For example, he (Chiune) did not follow his father’s instructions to become a doctor, pursuing language study and civil service instead; his first wife was not Japanese; and in the 1930s, Sugihara resigned from a prestigious civil service position to protest the Japanese military’s treatment of the Chinese during the occupation of Manchuria. These incidents suggest that Sugihara already possessed the internal strength and self-assurance necessary to be guided by his own moral compass in uncertain situations. We can speculate that Sugihara was more willing to assert his individual view than others around him who preferred to “go along to get along”.

Also, Sugihara was bound to two different codes: He was a sworn representative of the Japanese government, but he was raised in a rural Samurai family. Should he obey his government’s order to not help Jews (and, by extension, comply with his culture’s age-old moré not to bring shame on his family by disobeying authority)? Or should he follow the Samurai adage that haunted him, “Even a hunter cannot kill a bird which flies to him for refuge”? When the Japanese government denied repeated requests he made for permission to assist the refugees, Sugihara may have realized that these two codes of behavior were in conflict and that he faced a bright-line ethical test.” (Full original text)

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My dad was a big fan of Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story”.   And Robert Fulghum.  I decided today, while I engage in the non-productive and non-useful (writing), I shall at least attempt to share stories you may not be aware of.

I thought Chiune’s story a good one to start the Heroes section with.

Heroes, Great and Small

My recent vow to again ignore the news (gets my blood pressure up) found me in search of other media this morning, during my 2-hour ‘waking up’ tea drinking period.   Oh, yes, I’ve decided to go coffee-free again for awhile – see how my body likes it.

I head on over to Philip Zimbardo‘s website to wake up while reading how to develop our hero abilities.

Unfortunately, I decided to click on a video link that contained graphic pictures of the atrocities committed at Abu Ghraib prison.

Hmmm…. not exactly what I had in mind for ‘gentle waking’.

But, I was intrigued by how he ‘broke down’ and presented his version of the mechanics in play that not only allow, but aide and motivate, good people to do evil things.

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First, what is Evil?   Mr. Zimbardo defines it as follows:

• The Exercise of Power to
  Intentionally
  Harm (Psychologically),
  Hurt (Physically), and/or
  Destroy (Mortally) and
  Commit Crimes Against Humanity.

Seems like a fair definition.  I think it adequately squashes the whole, “but who decides what is good” and “there is no good or no bad, just what is” theological debates that sidetrack us from taking responsibility for and striving to heal, the ills within our world.

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He contends that for Evil to flourish, it takes more than just “bad apples” (individuals).    There must also be the correct barrel (Situation) and a barrel maker (Supporting System).

Apples only stay good when stored (situation) properly in a well-made container (supporting system).

In other words, when an average person, with an average background is placed into a Situation they have no contextual reference or preparation for and are told by the Supporting System to take actions fitting the above definition of evil, then we’d better all hope the average person has a strong set of non-evil ideals, the personal perseverance and moral fortitude to not only act in a manner that is possibly detrimental to their own welfare, but is also actively opposed by those around them AND is considered disobedience, blasphemy or treason by Authority.

Conclusion: We all need some hero training.

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His list of Evil’s Seven Step Seduction Course is also interesting.

Do Nothing

This is also known as MYOB (minding your own business), Live and Let Live, and other similar cliche’s our society is peppered with.   Yes, sometimes it behooves you to MYOB and quit complaining about your neighbor’s mode of dress, simply because, in the end, the activity does not really Harm, Hurt, Destroy another. (Yes, I know it offends your moral code to see a 50 year-old dressing like a teeny-bopper, or catch a glimpse of cleavage,  but really, does it truly hurt you?)

However, there are many opportunities to Do Nothing, when in fact, we really should.   Recently, while at a Sky Sox game, I observed two sisters at the sinks in the washroom.   Littlest sister is crying.  Big sister is off to dry her hands.   I stoop down to ask little one what is wrong.   Seems she was at just the right height to get an eye full of handwashing soap that was jetting out in all directions, instead of into her cupped hand.   By now, soap is smeared from forehead to fingertip in frantic efforts to stop the burning.

Now, I know it’s not my business.   Her sister is there, right?   Also, in today’s world of unspeakable horrors committed on children, I’m risking someone crying “Foul” or  little one saying, “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

Nevertheless, I get some paper towels, help repair the damage and distract her by tales of how wonderful our tear duct and crying systems are.   Big sister figures out she’s lost her charge and returns to stand nearby, making sure nothing fishy is going on.

They exit the ladies room ahead of me. I risk my own eyes using the soap dispenser then head back to my seat.   Previously, those same two girls had been sitting with Mom and Dad about 3 rows in front of me.   I return to find them not in their seats.

Back up I go, onto the main thoroughfare, to look for two who are not mine and not my responsibility.  Ahhhh…there they are.    Must be slow walkers….. Sigh of relief and I sit back down.

Hubby wonders what I’m doing.  I explain.  He again points out my negative thought processes that see child molesters and evil perpetrators around every corner.  I’m encouraged to quit focusing on the negative.

Now, I’m not sharing this with you to declare myself a hero, or even a good person.

I share it because I had some internal qualms when I first offered help.    What if they’ve been trained well in Stranger Danger?   What if one or both of them start screaming bloody murder?   Will the security guard  who saw me in the smoker’s area  earlier, really believe I had good intentions?    Crazy, but true, all these thoughts went through my head…

I also have past experience of dirty looks and harsh words when I stopped to ask a child if they were lost…   Mom was really only 3 clothes racks away, and How Dare I approach her little pumpkin?  And via my actions,  question her mothering abilities?!

In our culture,  we have plenty of ‘feedback’ from both law and social norms, encouraging us to Do Nothing.

Doesn’t  mean its always the best choice.

Stick Pretty Close to your Ideals

In our neck of the woods, “pretty close” only counts in the game of horse shoes.   Yes, I’ve been known to side-step mine in the past.  I imagine you have too.

Worries of job security, too tired to engage in a long debate or thinking it’s just kinder and easier to tell your friend, ‘Yes, you do look fabulous in blue’, when in fact she looks like a whale…..

I understand, I truly do.

But continually placing yourself in environments and around people where safety and peacefulness means you must continually sacrifice your ideals is Danger Zone.   Little by little, your internal compass gets off track and pretty soon, you’re heading south all the while convinced you’re going north.

Everyone Knows “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” – however, a close inspection of behavior considered to be ‘socially acceptable and politically correct’ reveals how we subtly condone Evil by keeping silent or being polite.

Respect Authority and Obey the Rules

Hubby has not been pleased with my tendency to raise argumentative kids.   I’ve tried to make him see the teen-ager’s rebellion as a natural progression of Child Safety values I instilled when they were too young to kick some arse on their own, but old enough to spend time away from my protection.

I raised my kids to Question Authority.  I raised them to tell me if someone in a position of power  (aka Adult) was taking undue liberties or treating them in a demeaning manner.

This also means I get called onto the carpet myself, when long workdays, short sleep and stress drive me to “Unload the dishwasher Now!” instead of “Could you help me, please?”

I was informed by older co-workers over the years that once I had matured some and had a vested retirement savings account, I would understand and learn how to go with the flow.

Apparently, I never ‘matured’ because I still have a tendency to Question Authority.

Hey, if it’s good enough for my kids, it’s good enough for me.

Be A Team Player

Any job interview I’ve had the past 15 years contained the question, “Are you a team player?”

My response?

“Yes; however, I will not stay up all night working to cover the fact that a co-worker was too bombed after lunch to finish their part of the presentation.  I will not drop data points as ‘anomalies’ just to make your graphs look good.   I won’t file insurance papers with wrong diagnosis codes in order to get paid.”

Yes, it’s good to play well with others.   But often  “Are you a team player?” was asked of me when someone in my workplace wanted to engage in the illegal, unethical or expedient.  Another version of this ruse is the whole “Employee Loyalty” debate.

My experience is Employee Loyalty is questioned the most in atmospheres of shoddy and underhanded leadership.

Pick a good team before being a good team player, is my motto.

Share Responsibility

Yes, Yes, I know…. You All thought the firecrackers, plastic army men, combined with lighter fluid and matches was a good idea.  I’m not talking about that episode and neither was Mr. Zimbardo.

When those in authority pacify your doubts with, “It’s okay, I’ll take the blame,” sometimes this is truly an offer to be the fall guy if the planned action doesn’t turn out well.  And if all goes well, those who risked failure are now ‘heroes’.

But more often, this is what Mr. Zimbardo refers to as ‘diffusion of personal responsibility’.   It’s another ‘container’ in which Evil loves to grow.   When you choose to engage in behavior you feel is wrong, but is deemed “acceptable, legal, ethical” etc., by others who also offer to ‘relieve you of your personal responsibility’  then you have been seduced into actively participating.  (“I was just following orders…” and “Well, yes, but that’s just how things are” are two common examples that come to mind…)

Value Your Kin and Your Kind

I’m a big fan of Loyalty.   I also think that Family, no matter how much they drive you nuts, should be cherished and supported.  I also try to find the ‘flock’ of birds with similar feathers to fly with.

But there is a line, at least in my world.

I don’t care who you are, how much blood or DNA we have in common or how similar our upbringing, beliefs or ideals are -  if you’re engaged in behavior I believe to be intentionally harmful or hurtful, all loyalty vanishes.

Powers that Be, who pursue in Evil, really like to use your Loyalty to their advantage.   Be Aware!

Justify Believing in a Good Ideology

How many times have you personally experienced, “Hmmm….but it looked so good on paper (or in my mind)?”

Another cliche that adequately conveys this Danger Zone is, “The ends justify the means.”

Meaning, the end result in all it’s ideological beauty is justified no matter what atrocities occur during the journey from here to there.

Ummm…No.

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Nothing on Mr. Zimbardo’s list was news to me.    I had a hero for a Dad.  In fact, his gravestone even says, “Our Hero”.

I think back to my favorite quotes of his:

“Respect is Earned.”

“Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is still wrong.”

“You better make damn sure you’re right.   If you are, I will back you 100%, but if you’re not, you’ll stand alone in the principal’s office AND you’ll be in trouble when you get home, too.”

“Just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right”

“If you don’t know what to do, do nothing.  But realize sometimes any action is better than none at all.   Learn the difference between caution and cowardice.”

“Never underestimate the power of the misinformed, stupid or fanatical – especially when they gather in groups.”

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I imagine most of the list of 7 was no surprise to you either.   Safe in a Situation where the luxuries of a computer, well-fed tummy and leisure time have all combined, makes the above list seem obvious.

But how relevant or easy do these seven seem if you wake up to find yourself  on the front lines facing enemy troops or in charge of guarding captured foes?  Volunteering to aide in the search of the bank robbers who just killed your high school chum? Watching soldiers take away your friends and neighbors, under the orders of the man you elected because he promised you security, abundance and a return to National Pride?  Facing a choice between protecting those who turned to you for help, or risking the health and welfare of your family?

When our systems and/or situations change for the worse, that’s when we come face to face with our own quest regarding heroism.

Sometimes these changes come about drastically and in your face.  Pretty easy to be ‘heroic’ then.

But when the change occurs slowly,  under the guise of safety and security, patriotism and liberty, ideologies that blame personal will and exclude examination of existing structures and systems, well…

That’s when you must be most vigilant.