Mental health professionals are underscoring what a disturbing time we are living through. They are finding that young people are being emotionally affected and even traumatized by these course times including the raucous impeachment process and the madness that has brought us to this moment. Indeed it is an unsettling time, where so much of what we were taught to value and celebrate is under assault with lying and diversion becoming more and more the norm. Will our age be characterized as one that felt that truth no longer mattered? Remember ‘alternative facts’? Can we recover from this?
Not according to former Harvard scholar and U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In an article he wrote in the 90s, “Defining Deviancy Down,” he posits that each time we sink to a lower level, that becomes the new norm. I hope this is not the case. However, I recall some evidence of that sentiment relating to Senator Bob Dole’s presidential run against Bill Clinton in the late 90s. A concern over Dole among his own party was that he had been divorced, thereby disqualified for higher office. This despite a celebrated life as a decorated war hero. My how times have changed.
Into this unsettling moment, comes the recent Tom Hanks film, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” What a fine movie about a life well lived for others, particularly children. Rogers, while an ordained ‘man of the cloth,’ chose in the 50s the new medium of mass communication, television, as the platform to exercise his unique and important calling. With his hokey story lines and amateur sets, he quietly demonstrated true kindness, unconditional acceptance and inclusivity in a time of segregation and bigotry toward anyone who seemed different.
I urge you to see this amazing film, drink it in and ponder the life of this unique man. Prior to going to this film, you might watch on Netflix, the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Again, this man is exceptional in character and heart, as good as one could possibly be. Read this article in today's Washington Post to gain a bit more understanding of Fred….a special man that in his understated way might inspire a pivot toward what Lincoln called our ‘better angels.’
Have a wonderful holiday season. I love Christmas, particularly the old films, “Miracle on 34th Street,” “White Christmas” and “Scrooge.” They bring to mind a gentler time.
So, my friends, stay hopeful and be a good neighbor, sometime those simple gestures make all the difference.
Carpe Diem. Doug.