Stuart’s Thoughts  6/6/2020

BIAS, TRIBALISM AND LABELS

We have witnessed periodic flareups of ethnic bias in our country ever since its founding 250 years ago.  In struggling to understand its’ causes and rid our society of this unfortunate,  harmful thinking and behavior, we have repeatedly condemned the idea that certain groups or individuals are superior to others.  Nevertheless, this tendency emerges time and time again and many fear it can never be totally extinguished.  Why is this?  Why does periodic rejection of the “Golden Rule” keep coming back?

Even before the founding of our country, European settlers had numerous conflicts with the Native Americans.  Initially, contacts between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe was peaceful but as the Europeans pushed west, more and more conflicts arose between the newcomers and the various Native American tribes, all commonly referred to by the Europeans as “indians”.  Many battles and wars arose until, eventually, the “indians” had been vanquished and sequestered in reservations where they continue to reside even today.  Many Europeans believed in a common thought often expressed by the settlers (“the only good indian is a dead indian”) as the “indians”, bent on defending their territory clashed with settlers moving west.

There were other ethnic conflicts in our country as immigrants arrived from various over seas locations.  At one point, no group was considered any lower than the Irish.  Jews have been targeted for discrimination in past years and even, to some extent, today.  Polish, Italians, hispanics, asians and muslims among other ethnic groups have all experienced discriminatory attitudes and behavior.  However, the African blacks, brought here initially as slaves, have perhaps experienced the greatest degree and extent of bias and discrimination.

Why have humans had such a difficult time purging these derogatory, ethnic images and behavior from our lives?

With the recent cruel murder of a black man in Minnesota by police, all of this evil has  again boiled to the surface and racial tensions have reached a critical level.  Nationwide protests have taken place in many of our nations large cities and, unfortunately, ultra left wing radical groups have seized upon the situation to cause riots, looting and destruction of property totaling billions of dollars.  Who is to blame, other than the individual police officers who committed the murder?

There has been a great tendency to blame the nation for tolerating racism.  Some have claimed that the United States suffers in a quagmire of systemic racism and that we are all to blame for tolerating the situation.  But, what is the truth?  Who deserves to bear the blame? Most importantly, what should be done to correct the situation and prevent future replays of this evil?

I believe it is important to consider racism in the more general context of tribalism.  It is not only the Native Americans who belong to tribes.  We need to understand that we all are members of tribes and probably more tribes than most would think.  Any group that one is a member of can be, in a certain context, regarded as a tribe.  Families, neighborhoods, communities, nations, religions, ethnicities, occupational groups, labor unions and on and on.  These groups (tribes) have usually come into existance for the purpose of enhancing the wealth, prestige, political influence and the overall welfare of the members.  In short, tribal organization exists to enhance survival.

Throughout history, tribes have been in constant competition with one another for scarce resources, power, wealth etc, but ultimately, it is the very essence of the grand game we all participate in, survival of the fittest.

We need to also recognize how pervasive this competition is throughout nature.  All living organisms, in one way or another, engage in this game of competition.  Survival is the most fundamental biologic drive that exists in all living things, both animals and plants.  Look closely at the life patterns of any living species and this serious game of survival can be observed.

With the understanding of what motivates us at the most fundamental level, we may see how evil can creep into our behavior when basic biological drives slip from the control of our more rational and thoughtful desire to lead life on a higher moral level.  We need to be ever vigilant in guarding against acting in ways that enhance self interests at the expense of others.  I am a firm believer in the “Golden Rule” and the conviction to make that the overriding factor in deciding how to treat others.

If this recommendation had been followed by all concerned over the last two weeks, George Floyd would be alive today, four Minneapolis police officers would still be free and proud members of the Minneapolis Police Department. Many other individuals and police officers killed or wounded in the ensuing riots would be alive, healthy and happy. Numerous stores and businesses ransacked and burned would be stocked and ready to open for  business.  Many innocent people harmed physically or financially would be healthy and happy.

In summary, we need to think beyond the interests of whatever tribes we belong to and consider how important it is to always keep mind that regardless of what tribe or tribes we belong to, ultimately, we are first and foremost members of that grandfather of all tribes, the human species.  Lastly, it might now be appant why i am so adamant about rejecting labels. It is those labels we or others pin on us that cause us to lose control of our individual identity and force us into tribes.  I reject membership in all groups other than  my family and the human species and bear only one label, my name and unique identity.

A final word on the concept of “white privilege”.  For those who feel being born caucasian gives one an unfair advantage over other racial minorities and implies a duty to apologize,  I would suggest the following.  Not only is this flawed thinking but such self flagellation will do no-one any good, neither you nor the victims of racial abuse.  Apology is only appropriate for someone who has actually caused harm to another.  Others can certainly assist victims of wrongdoing but they are most capable of doing this from a position of strength not weakness.  I would further submit that nearly everyone can look at some other group that has more of something - wealth, prestige, intelligence, talent, muscles, body shape, beauty, etc., etc.  So What!  We could spend our lives envying and coveting what someone else or some other group has.  That will do nothing for us but waste a bit of our most precious resource, time.  We can do far more to advance our interests by working hard, studying, practicing our favorite sport or musical instrument or exercising.

The cardinal rule here is for everyone to accept the challenge to become the best that they can be at whatever endeavor(s) they choose. Don’t look for or accept excuses. When you meet a road block, build your private road around the road block.  When life serves you a lemon, make lemonade but above all else, practice the “Golden Rule”, i.e., treat all others as you would want them to treat you.