October 6, 2020
Is it possible that one excruciating moment in the first 2020 Presidential debate could alter the course of Trump’s America? Because you never know what will cause the crack, like a door peeking open into a darkened room, a wedge of light sprouting. Sometimes, a splinter of light can change the world.
I know this, because it happened to me, years ago when I listened to a friend describing how our guru was abusing her. She was telling the truth but that truth didn’t match my understanding of the man who I believed could do no harm. This cognitive dissonance created a crack that helped me to see the mind control wielded by my teacher and shattered the ideology I had admired and believed in.
My conscience was awakened by the harm he caused myself and others. This experience changed the trajectory of my life. Ever since, I have been devoted to the study of controlling groups, mind control and power dynamics — and healing from their impact.
You might guess the moment in the presidential debate that has the potential to create such a fissure in the American people. When given the opportunity to denounce white supremacy, President Donald Trump declared, “Proud Boys. Step back. Stand by.” In this devastating exchange, our president revealed himself as the commander in chief of The Proud Boys and aligned himself, once again, with white supremacy.
Perhaps it was this time, when President Trump’s inability to distance himself from a movement based in violent aggression that created a crack in you or your neighbor’s allegiance to him. Perhaps it was this moment where you, as a devoted Christian, good-hearted conservative or caring citizen had to draw a line in the sand. I will not condone violence towards my sisters, brothers and fellow citizens of color. The buck stops here.
Conscience: the excruciating moment when I see that I have unknowingly supported something that is in direct conflict with who I truly am.
This is a time of reckoning. And it is a time for forgiveness. Yes forgiveness. They know not what they do. Each one of us have made mistakes and been hoodwinked now and again. This is an unfortunate, but very real aspect of being human. We want to find leaders to believe in but sometimes we surrender too much of our own inner authority.
When our heart wakes up and beats in alignment with our values it is a time to rejoice — not to be judged. If the President’s horrifying comment was the crack that let in the light of your conscience, or that of your neighbor’s, let’s celebrate and move forward. Can we acknowledge our differences and recognize and honor what we agree on?
Inclusion is the essence of being American. Reciprocity is the ground we stand on.
