There is a particular instinct in this moment to define each other by hot-button issues that have absolutely no bearing on our sense of community or how we should deal with each other as human beings.
You can see it in the news. It’s visible in all shapes on social media. It’s also one that politicos like to twang like a string on a guitar for that divisive instrument sings the song of money and power, and it does this precisely because it has the power to separate us into camps.
The interesting thing about wedge issues is that once you’ve stripped these away from the conversation, there are immense totalities of common goals, aspirations and ways of thought shining behind each of our eyes. There’s always a flicker of understanding and love that can be breathed into any relationship, and we’ve found that in almost all cases we are all on the same page of the basic things, the most important things, and not beholden to define our neighbors as something other than a true spirit brought here to illuminate the majesty of the universe.
The United States has never been a homogenous thing, and Tullahoma is no different. The lure of the freedoms that we are all afforded has been a beacon on the hill, a light in the dark, and a shining manifestation of basic human needs and spirit since this land was discovered by Western civilization in the late-1500s. In all the noise and static that is currently being hurled into our brains, it’s easy to forget, so here’s a gentle reminder.
The politics of division versus how much we have in common versus how much we differ is an easy one for us to wade into because we’ve met so many people that, at first blush, shouldn’t get along. But, after a quick and deep conversation, we both realize that things just aren’t as they seem.
The basic rule of law, peace and happiness, property rights, good roads, responsive government, compassion for each other, clean water, a safe place to live, outdoor things to do, indoor things to do, pride in community and—dare we say—love of our community are just a few universal ideas that bond us to each other in spite of what those seeking money or power might say.
Freshly mown grass. Honest conversations. Being able to look somebody in the eye and tell them the truth without fear of misunderstanding. These are things that we as Americans hold dear, and it makes no sense to let an issue that is hammered by politicians or click-bait media to make our ability to connect and love one another an unsolvable problem.