Alienation Grows Faster Than Healing Can Take Place.
What We Need Is a Listener In Chief
Alienation Grows Faster Than Healing Can Take Place.
What We Need Is a Listener In Chief
By Michael J. Herman
It’s no secret that these past few months have seen a serious increase in cultural alienation. The gap between Haves and Have-Nots has widened so dramatically that it seems nearly impossible for anyone on the wrong side of the gap to make it safely to the other side.
One clear problem that does not seem to be getting any better on either side of the chasm is no one is listening to anyone else. This conundrum does not start at the bottom and rise to the top. It starts at the top and spreads like wildfire. The more people don’t listen, the more they don’t hear and don’t want to listen. And the more this goes on the harder it becomes to even communicate.
It’s true at the Federal level all the way down to local politicians. People just aren’t listening, and what’s worse is people aren’t feeling herd. When people don’t feel heard they shut down their listening and that’s where the alienation starts. On top of this add the fact we’re all wearing masks which adds another layer (actually another excuse) not to listen.
And right there is the rub. NO ONE IS LISTENING!
All we’re doing is going through the motions of communication without actually communicating.
Is there a solution? Can anyone actually fix this broken mechanism
YES!
I propose the following…
Rather than elect a Commander In Chief, someone duly elected to direct, give orders, and dictate the direction where that person wants us to go, let’s elect a Listener In Chief. Someone with the acumen, wisdom and gravitas to ask the right questions of us and be a strong enough leader to bring us from darkness to salvation.
We need someone who will listen to all sides, regardless of party affiliation or political obligations; someone who will listen for solutions from those being effected by the problems; And someone whose open mind and listening ear will find the wisdom to solve issues and open doors of possibility.
Is this a possibility? Maybe, because I have a dream.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might have said:
I have a dream that one day free people everywhere will reach out in kindness to their brothers and their sisters in hopes of hearing their words and knowing he character in their souls.
I have a dream that one day in the spirit of conciliation and harmony, the act of actively listening will stand as a bridge between people of color, of culture, and of class eliminating the need for hate, greed, and avarice.
I have a dream that one day a person will rise from the churning gut of society to deliver a message so clear that its meaning cannot be misunderstood.
Like Lincoln freed the slaves allowing a new birth of a nation, a better birth of a nation.
Like the national effort to build a highway system, Eisenhower connected all Americans regardless of age, color, sex, or social strata with roads for traversing the USA.
Like John F. Kennedy sought to place a man on the Moon and within the decade, a nation achieved the glories of space flight.
This can be done. I can hear the cheering crowds now chanting the call, “we hear you!”
It’s going to take a cultural shift, an attitudinal transformation, and an evolution of consciousness to put aside the egos and reveal the true nation we are. Can we do it? Is it time? Are we willing?
I believe it is.
I’m just not sure if anyone is listening?
Michael J. Herman is a Professional Writer, thought leader, and author of 14 books including the forthcoming Side Hustle With Muscle: Stop Putting Your Talents to The Side and Start Your Small Business.
Connect with Michael at LinkedIn.com/michaeljherman