The outcome of this election (presidential elections USA, 2016) is not the core problem, it’s just an exploding wrath of today’s society. We Europeans, do neither have to point our finger at what is happening in the US. We are in fact also living in a very divided, and self-orientated part of the world. The way we handled, and are handling the stream of refugees is not the direction we need to go. I live in Mechelen, Belgium. In my town there is big Memorial museum about deportation. I was there a few weeks ago, and when I was walking through the history of the years 1920-1935 the following struck me. On a lot of newspaper clippings, propaganda pamphlets, anecdotes, …. displayed over there, if you would change the word Jew by Refugee, you were reading today’s quotes. We all know where that headed, so we need to turn as a society.
For that we do not need to wait and rely on politicians, and here is why : Most of us live in a democratic system. Off course each of us have their system, and the losing party will always question the system and the winner won’t change it, but we know in advance that is the system. These are discussions in the margin I think. My main thought is that we live in a democratic system, In order to win their elections, A politician needs to persuade us of their ideas. They’ll do that by looking at what’s on society’s mind, and then they’ll feed us with their campagne. If we, as individuals, and as a society embrace solidarity and warmth, then politics will follow. Today, too many people embrace individual belongings and their own security, and on that wave, current politics surfs.
Aside from that, we must never take information for granted. Whether we agree or disagree. Are the things, someone is claiming, true ? As a teacher, that is a reflex I try to give to all my students. Question things, don’t just take them quickly for granted.
The UK had its BREXIT referendum, and woke up with a hangover. All the rest of the world witnessed it, but it seems we pressed the snoozebutton. Last week the alarmclock went off again. Please don’t push the snoozebutton again and wake up ! In the coming years several European countries will have their elections, so we need to shift around quickly, because when I look at my country, or my neighbours’ country, I see a hardened society. It’s time to start taking care of everyone around us, and not everything from us.
I know, in Europe we have been put to the test, these last few years, also here in Belgium. out of fear for what has happened in Madrid, London, Paris, Brussels, a general idea of keeping these refugees out is the current vibe. At some places with literally a wall! Yes, Trump wants to build a wall, but in Europe there is already one in Bulgaria. And if there was no wall, they’d put military people and let these refugees cross the entire border up to the next country... We also have political walls, which resulted in the Calais Jungle. They evacuated it, so it’s probably not in the news anymore, but make no mistake : These people are still searching for a place where they are welcome. And currently that is nowhere.
I will not deny it can be frightening. When changes happen, a lot of times it is not easy to let go of the known. It is a natural reaction, but don’t let it freeze you. It’s OK to express it. But don’t let it imprison yourself. Open up and get to know the unknown. That’s the way forward. That will always be the way forward.
I was the entire weekend in Portsmouth, UK. This city has a long history in warship building. A History that starts in 15th century. There was a sign up there that said : ‘At its climax in 1944 this dockyard had a staff consisting of 25.000 workers.’ That means, alone in that dockyard ! The amount of people it took, the amount of lives it took to regain our free society at that time is frightening. It is, as humankind, our duty to not let it come that far again. It starts with the little things, something that everyone can do. Smiling and saying ‘have a good day’ to everyone we come across. Whether we know them or don’t. You can laugh at this naïve idea, but I try to do it daily, and I see the smiles that this brings to people. It is a wonderful experience for you and them.
Edit : While working on all of this, another bad evolution is happening. It seems in my country freedom of speech is coming more and more under pression. A non-profit organisation which stands for equality and equal opportunities for everyone, is being told by our government that “they are not being funded to make certain points.”
(Now didn’t I see pamphlets like that in the museum a few weeks ago…. ?)
Greetings,
And take care of everyone,
Stefan.
15 November 2016
Thanks Stefan.
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