Narratives

AMEN. Good old Brian McLaren.

http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/why-im-voting-for-obama-and-why.html

He hits the nail on the head with this one, discussing the narrative of both McCain and Obama, specifically McCain's "warrior" mindset. This pins down one of the main reasons (well, main as in one of several hundred) that I choose Obama this election. Of course whoever steps into the job after the election has bleak chances, due to the state of the country at present (thanks, Dubya), and so I don't have any grandiose illusions about the amount of change that will actually be possible in the next presidential term - but I do know this: I stand for Obama's narrative of reconcilation and hope, and I don't stand for a warrior narrative filled with, as McLaren puts it, us-them dualism.

And, I believe this dualist us-them mindset that McLaren discusses is not only so prevalent in our culture but also immeasurably dangerous. I see it in countless adults I know - and it scares me (not to mention the fact that it is also being passed on to the children of these adults...). There is this bogus mentality of "I am the victim, they are the ones who wronged me and should take the blame. Poor me, I am just the helpless martyr in this situation where I have no personal agency in or responsibility." What makes any human think that they are not responsible for our own actions or for their half of what each of us contributes to a relationship (or situation)? Any human, and beyond that, any country?

So today I say, boo to dualistic us-them mindsets and warrior narratives. Up with owning, collaborating and moving forward to a narrative of peace and hope (not only in this election but in our own personal, empowered lives, yeah!).