There is one commonality that separates us:  FEAR.  We are all scared of something.  Scared of losing stability.  Scared of losing our identity.  Scared of losing money.  Scared of losing dignity.  Scared of war.  Scared of dying.  Scared for the future of our children.  We are all looking for a hero.

 

Throughout the election, we heard repeated references to “the educated vs. the uneducated.” But I have friends and family members on both sides of the political fence.  They are bright people for whom I have a great deal of respect.  Referring to people as “uneducated” in itself is demeaning and feeds into one of the core problems in our society which is the divisive way in which we view ourselves and each other.  

 

It starts in childhood.  Our school system is set up for a specific type of child.  Children who learn differently or whose bodies need movement or who blurt out the answers are difficult to teach.  State and federal guidelines stifle the natural creativity of our teachers and force a construct of productivity that cannot meet the needs of all children.  As a society, we often do not recognize our children’s natural gifts.  We are too busy pushing our own idea of success.  So many of our children leave “the nest” feeling inadequate and much less than bright.  

 

Some children have struggled so much in school that the thought of college provokes paralyzing anxiety.  Others are interested in pursuits that do not require a college education.  These people are part of the group that is labeled "uneducated.”  How dare we reduce a complex human being to the narrow confines of a manmade establishment.

 

We focus so much on people’s deficits that we do not see what they bring to the world.  Our world is so much brighter than we realize.  We just don’t see what is right in front of our face.  We are looking for an unknown hero to save us all.  The answer is already here.  It is in each other.