"Crucible" is a synonym for "Melting Pot"

As I write, I have not seen today's news. Therefore, I do not know if that Gainesville pastor burned books today or not. I hope not, if for no other reason than because it is disrespectful. That the event was planned and promoted by a church and community leader is, to me, religious hypocrisy at its finest.

I do want to hear what did and did not happen. From news reports and the thought leadership of pundits and experts, I will extract facts and form my own conclusions and opinion. The unshakable foundation of my opinion is that this man's words and actions are his legal right under the US Constitution.

What I do not want to hear are Lincoln's words, "I do not like that man. I must get to know him better." I don't want to hear those words because I know the words are good and right, and point me in the direction of making an honorable, respectful response to the man in Gainesville and his circus of violent disrespect.

I do not want to get to know that man better. I do not want to better understand his experience, perspective, hopes, triumphs, tragedies and dreams. The mere thought of gaining self-knowledge by walking in his shoes is revolting. I do not want to validate his American existence. I prefer to walk through fire myself before I let his reality touch mine.

But that is the test, isn't it? Acknowledging his American existence and rights under the US Constitution is a responsibility inherent to my own American existence. Supporting the rights of abhorrent people to speak their minds and act as they will within the confines of the law is the American Crucible.

As American children we learn that America is a Melting Pot. We are taught to think of the Melting Pot as a fine mixture of nationalities, races and dreams; all united and indivisible. Experience teaches us that we are highly divisible, and that even Americans who unite against us deserve Americas protections.

This knowledge burns, as does the test. This American chooses to accept both the opportunity and the responsibilities of living in this democracy. I choose to put my hand in the fire of the American Crucible so that the Melting Pot can continue to smelt diversity into innovation. I choose to feel the emotional heat and intellectual discomfort in order to protect the rights and freedoms of the next person. It might be someone who does deserve America's protections. It might be me.

So I will watch the news coverage of what happened today. I will listen for something--maybe more than one thing--by which I might get to know the Koran-burning Gainesville pastor better. I do believe that I will also stand by my right to still not like that man.

We have faltered

Lincoln said: America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

Dan Pink, one of my favorite authors and thought leaders, recently wrote that "...the wheels are falling off the wagon..." I believe he is right. We have faltered and are past the tipping point.

How? Easy. Ignorance, intolerance and indifference. The linked articles on Dan Pink's post illustrate just how pervasive these choices have become, and the astonishingly depressing results we've achieved.

Of the three, I do believe indifference is the most destructive. While ignorance and intolerance are observable and measurable, indifference is the elusive acid that has been eating at our country’s mortar for decades; its corrosive nature strengthened by our power, pride and ultimately our fears.

Perhaps indifference can be measured and observed via voting (or lack thereof) statistics or some other observable force. I'll pursue that thought.

Regardless, our indifference to our own communities and country has created observable results. As a nation, we are undereducated, unhealthy, and hungry. If you are not, challenge yourself to find and reverse your indifference. If you believe you are not indifferent, look again. You will know you have found your indifference if it causes you shame or pain. Those responses are good; they are your call to action.

[As I write, I realized one facet of my own indifference. I did not vote in a local election on Tuesday. I cannot fix that. I can and will write a piece on voting. I wrote Recipe for and Old Fashioned Vote in '04 and posted it in '09. Looks like I'll revisit it in '10. Yes, admitting that I violated my own argument is embarrassing. Correcting my path away from indifference and back toward community responsibility and respect? That felt good. Seriously, try it. It only hurts for a little bit.]

Just as Lincoln warned, we have squandered our freedoms. We have confused patriotism and pride. Decades of absolute power have corrupted absolutely. Our current state was not created by any one election, administration or political party. If it were, we'd have an easy solution to contribute and carry out.

Again, I believe we have passed the tipping point. The consequences scare me. My antidote for fear? In this case, more information. In the coming days, I will drill down on education, health care and voting as measures of democracy. In the meantime, please share your links and your thoughts.