Many of the opposition against the Sandinista party and their governing style here in Nicaragua talk about how their voices are left out… how there is no democracy... much like the Trump supporters who thought the election was stolen from them.
And yet democracy prevailed in both countries…the United States and here in Nicaragua. Those who lost have to realize this and quit seeking to divide us.
Unity does not exclude opposition or diversity, but it does exclude disrespect and hate.
There are times when our Community cannot reach consensus when making decisions. When those times come, we struggle with each other trying to get people to understand our points of view. Sometimes we have to take a break and come back to it. Sometimes we have to step out of the decision-making process and just shut up. And sometimes, someone will remind us of our purpose…our goal…and to let go of our fears. When that happens, we usually come to consensus pretty quickly, because we can then see what is right…what is loving…and there is no room for fear.
The problem is that nations, religions, and politics have a hard time letting go of their fear of losing power.
Living abroad in a nation actively addressing the needs of the poor, I've come to believe that setting consensus aside…setting compromise aside…is sometimes the right choice. When people are hurting, suffering, and dying in poverty…who cares whether we all agree? The right thing to do is to ease the hurt, heal the sick,and eliminate the suffering.
Sometimes the unity is only found in doing the right thing.
If the poor who are Proud Boys…if the poor who are neo-Nazis…are lifted out of poverty - then their hate may ease.
If the poor who are Muslims living in squalor and hunger in destitute countries, are lifted out of poverty - the idea of jihad and suicide bombs will fade to the background.
If the races/religions/sexual preferences are all treated with equal respect, privileges,and rights - then the hate groups, the violence, and the despair will lessen.
Despair breeds divisiveness as we search to blame SOMEONE ELSE for our despair.
Hope breeds unity as we look to each other and lend a hand knowing that one day we may need a hand helping us as Pres. Biden says often.
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| photo Shutterstock licensed |
United we survive the horrors.
United we clean the air, the water, the atmosphere, the land.
United we lift our brothers and sisters out of poverty…and we all have a happier world.
United we make changes for the good.
Divided we die.
- Kathleen
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