Posted by Editor on September 14, 2007 9:19 AM to Commentary GreaterDiversity.com The New Voice of American Media
Commentary GreaterDiversity.com The New Voice of American Media: "Respondability"
By Dr. Dan Collins
Some pain is so intense, we need to invent a whole new language to describe it. So the word Respondability"- the God-given ability to respond to our most difficult life challenges with wisdom, grace, and power comes to mind. Events like the terrorist attacks on September 11th and the devastation of hurricane Katrina test the limits of what we can handle. The violence which saturates our community is so out-of-control, it's even in the cartoons our children watch. Homicide rates have skyrocketed. Our streets have turned from asphalt to crimson, because our "cup overfloweth" with blood, our own blood.
What can we do? Are we bound to be hapless victims of life circumstance? Absolutely not! We don't get to control the universe. But we do have the ability to respond to the catastrophes - both man-made and natural - that life occasionally sends us.
Our Response to September 11th
The goal of the terrorist is to incarcerate us in a prison of fear. Terrorists want to make us afraid to live our lives, to stay at home, shaking in our boots, worried to death about the next attack. The terrorists want us to remember only their act of contempt for us. But we can remember the smoldering aches of the Twin Towers, and the priceless lives that were lost. We can also remember the heroism of the firefighters, police force, and everyday people that leaped forward, automatically, naturally. Like the heroes who overtook the terrorists on United flight 93 that experts believe was headed for the White House. This is also what we can remember on 9/11. And for those who are still suffering from nightmares and flashbacks you are encouraged to seek relief through counseling and self-help resources that can teach you how to settle your trauma. Nightmares and flashbacks are treatable. Terrorism stripped us. But heroism restored us.
Our Response to Hurricane Katrina
Natural disasters have an uncanny way of bringing out our worst or our best. The worse was the incredible disorganization and slow response of our governmental infra-structure that exacerbated the Katrina crisis. The storm also exposed economic and healthcare disparities in the Gulf coast region. The worse was the looting, violence and rape which felt like opportunistic cannibalism. We hurt each other when we were most vulnerable. The best is recognizing that the eye of the hurricane is the calmest part of the storm, and if we can identify where the hurricane's eye is for us, we can maintain enough composure to respond to the crisis thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.
The best in us is to realize that we can work as a united community, merging a solidarity that shouts, "if any of us are treated unfairly, we are all treated unfairly". We can realize that there is value and spiritual richness that runs so deeply inside us that no hurricane can wash it away.
Our Response to Violence in our Community
Another crucial issue that beckons us is violence. It's everywhere. It permeates our culture. There are few acts of violence that shock us anymore. We have become desensitized. And in the African-American community, the lion's share is directed at other African-Americans. One of the core issues is that we have come to tolerate violence.
We have an option. Let's return to our non-violent roots. Our greatest progress as a people came on the heels of nonviolent protests. Non-violence requires incredible creativity, resolve and resilience to carry out. Non-violence is scary. It calls for great courage, especially when most people endorse violence. But here is a first step, let's refuse to go to support any entertainment that includes violence. Can you imagine the impact that would have on the producers of our diversions? Fun would have to be re-invented. Our children will thank us later!
R. Dandridge Collins, Ph. D. ("Dr Dan") is the Author of ''The Trauma Zone: Trusting God for Emotional Healing.'' Visit www.thetraumazone.com or email him at thetraumazone@comcast.net.
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