Exposing the clash between US politics and professed values
TV in the sixties and early seventies carried the flag for the idea of personal conscience and compassion being American values. Through sitcoms, dramas, movies and the evening news, we were exhorted to "do what's right".
When I read about a woman being detained by ICE after she had called for help against her abusive partner, I wonder where did compassion and chivalry go?
When I read about a 21 year old DACA dreamer -- who has lived here since he was a youngster and now has a three year old son -- being detained, i wonder where our dreams as Americans went to die.
Remember Bonanza? Every damsel in distress was treated with respect by the "Cartwrights". I picture "Pa" Cartwright now, being called to the rescue of an abused woman. Instead of offering her a refuge at the ranch and a doctor, Pa will say "I'm sorry, Ma'am, we're going to have to. All the government agents to come out here and arrest you for being in the country illegally."
Remember Goofus and Gallant? Instead of a lesson on good manners in the cafeteria line, Goofus can be seen offering to hold the tray for the hungry kid and Gallant will be the one saying "oh, you need to go sweep the floor to earn your lunch before you eat here!"
Remember Little House on The Prairie? Instead of siding with people of goodwill or people who needed protection, the Ingalls could have stood up with the white people against the Indians. "You lost that war fair and square. Time to go back to where you, umm, came from 10,000 years ago..." Or with the polluters against annoying little people: "I know you think you have a right to this clean water here," Mr. Ingalls could say. "But you're just one little poor family and there's a big important oil company that needs it worse than you. Sometimes we have to sacrifice, for the good of the Greater." In fact, the Ingalls were really too poor to be central characters. The show could be focused instead on the cute little spoiled rich girl and her appearances-obsessed mother, as the heroes of the story.
The values that we were taught as young children that created a sense of social conscience have been warped into a set of judgments against others. As the world becomes more harsh and unequal, has it become inconvenient to have an excess of empathy for others?
Tattle on your neighbors, Gallant. Mock the poor, do-gooders. Insurance cards must be shown before you treat them, Clara and Florence. Teach your children to be hardened to the pleas of their lessers, because they will need to become accustomed to it. There will be too many people sitting on the corners outside the gated communities with tin pots and hands outstretched. Unless we elect representatives who will prosecute the panhandlers and criminalize sleeping on the park benches. Come to think of it, we could privatize those park benches -- put payment terminals on them, and little spikes that retract, once you put your credit card in. Hmm.. which company can we give the no-bid lease to, for that one?
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