COMMUNITY

Together, we will prevail

This morning, I watched part of an ABC interview of NY Mayor Mamdani by Jonathan Karl. Reciting this quote from Mamdani’s inaugural address – “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” – Karl went on to say that our country was built on “rugged individualism”. To my mind, that could not be farther from the truth.

I am no historian, but I see evidence of community and collective action everywhere in our nation’s history. Of course, settlers to the colonies exhibited individual courage and strength in the face of adversity. But they settled in communities and depended on one another, as well as on native Americans, to help them build houses, grow crops, do farming, establish schools and local governments. The American Revolution and the Civil War could not have been won without cooperation and sacrifice for the greater good. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were written by individuals who may not have agreed on much, but who came together in common cause. Even stories about wagon trains settling the West conveyed the absolute necessity of banding together in the face of hardship. I am not aware of any religious faith that advocates going it alone, abandoning those in need. A congregation is, by definition, coming together.

Governments exist to provide the collective good. They give us roads, schools, land for housing and cultivation, bridges, lighting, clean water, electricity and other utilities, traffic signals, ambulances, fire and police departments. Any number of goods and services we often take for granted. Individuals can thrive because of access to these common services. The current federal administration is trying to dismantle many public services such as Social Security, access to health care, assistance in times of natural disasters, efficient interactions with various agencies. They want us to think we are on our own, at their mercy. They want us competing with one another for our piece of the pie, hating “others” based upon jealousy, animus, or fear. If we defy that mindset, extend a helping hand, they shoot us down (literally).

Yet, what we are currently witnessing in our nation, especially in the reports coming from Minneapolis, is the incredible strength of community. As much as the administration tries to separate us from one another, to isolate victims of their violence and make them feel exposed, neighbors and strangers are coming together with whistles and horns. The people In Minneapolis/St. Paul are indeed demonstrating the “warmth of collectivism” as they march in frigid weather. Their collective courage in documenting abuses and reporting to state and city officials what they have seen is inspiring.

I have an abiding faith in government, despite the behavior of those currently in power. I am incredibly grateful to public servants, including some in my own family. I was fortunate to have a career I loved as a physician, thanks in part to my own efforts and capabilities. But I am under no illusion that I did that alone. Institutions such as my medical school, hospitals and clinics offered me opportunities and compensation. Patients and their parents (because my patients were children) became my partners in learning and caring. My spouse supported me both emotionally and financially. Our children were able to thrive in well-run schools, with circles of friends and other caring adults. I live in a town that is vibrant and welcoming. I know and admire many government officials working to improve affordability and solve problems with access to care.

Until the current administration, our standing in the world and prosperity were founded on cooperation with other countries. We have (or had) NATO, the World Health Organization, USAID, the United Nations, and other alliances helping us get through wars and epidemics. This administration is doing everything it can to destroy these partnerships, to the detriment of our citizens. The US cannot, on its own, as an individual nation, thrive in the world today. We need partnerships, and they are in danger.

I believe that our “collectivism” – in our circles, our towns, our states, our nation, the world – is the antidote to the authoritarian behavior that is accosting our communities and threatening our standing among nations. We are strong together. Despite setbacks and the tragedies we witness almost daily, I choose to reject “individualism” as useless. Leaning on and helping one another is how we will get through the current upheaval. Let’s do it together, in community.

CEA