A Little Rebellion

A Place for Chaos

“Most people go, ‘I wish for world peace.’ But chaos has a place in balancing out the light and the dark in the world. I don’t know if I would wish for world peace.”

Brendan Fraser

          I find it almost impossible to point out anything “good” that 2020 has brought, but, in my opinion, it has served an important purpose. It has brought to the surface the schism between the races, focused a light on the extent of racial inequality, and it has shown us just how many people in America are not prospering, in truth, are struggling just to survive. An old, ugly, racist element of our society that most of us old white folks were oblivious to has surfaced—white supremacists, Nazis—opening old wounds, and provoking new fears. Seeing them reminds me of the scenes in Lord of the Rings of the fiery cleft in the mountain of Mordor where orcs are being massed for the great battle. Who knew we still had orcs among us?

          Thomas Jefferson said, “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” It feels as though 2020 has so far outpaced itself in that arena. It has been more chaotic, guerilla warfare, street-to-street, hand-to-hand combat rather than “a little rebellion,” but I think Jefferson would lump it into that category. As miserable as this year has so far been, at least we know what our tasks will be going into 2021—pull our people together, rebuild our cities, upgrade our public health system, tackle climate change, and better prepare for the disasters it is already bringing. We have a long list of chores ahead in terms of repairing the damage done. Chaos has stirred us from sleep, and shown us where the fault-lines lie, and for that we should be grateful.

          I confess, I still pray for world peace even though I know it will not happen in my lifetime. Young people today are smarter than we are and will be even smarter with each generation. And they are far more open-minded and welcoming of diversity. If we manage not to burn the world down around them, I am totally confident that they will lead us out of the darkness of 2020 and into the light. I celebrate them and would march with them any day of the week if my knees were a bit better. A little rebellion is still a good thing—especially if it leads to greater prosperity for everyone.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane