XXXVI. The Subtle Violence on the Road to Progress

Many of us look at events and wonder….how in the world does this happen?

Or why do people think this way?

Aristotle once said, "The more you know, the more you know you don't know." As one's knowledge increases, so does the awareness of some of the absurdities and complexities of life. While knowledge is power, it can also lead to a sense of discomfort or difficulty in accepting things as they are.

That’s the ground I stand upon. The quest for understanding has gifted me a profound respect for my insignificance and my limitations, yet it has also sharpened my awareness of futile and petty things.

A friend I’ve known for several years recently bought a house a few miles out of town. He traded out a neighborhood he lived in for a little more room and property. He likes to walk to stay in shape and the area he now lives in has a few homes on a shared country road.

But he has a problem.

One of his new neighbors along the road has dogs and the dogs like to come onto the road. When my friend mentioned he felt unsafe trying to walk the road, the new neighbor suggested not to walk along the road.

Perhaps the new neighbor values the freedom of his dogs to run and the safety they bring from living more in the country. Maybe my friend presented a fresh problem, an upsetting of the norm where people don’t interact with their neighbors, or a person walking along the road has something wrong with them. Perhaps it’s because my friend is black. Whatever the reason, the neighbor’s value of his dogs’ freedom over a new neighbor has left my friend wondering whether he made the right decision.

I perceive these minor forms of violence all the time. The small acts and words that create voids. They accumulate in our lives and contribute to a hostile environment. Left unchecked, people think its normal behavior. If there’s no expectations, there’s less work to do. This idea aligns with the broken windows theory in criminology, suggesting that minor infractions, if considered normal, can lead to more serious problems.

That’s where we are with our politics right now. Leaders use microaggressions routinely. We are used to it. In fact, we expect it. Look at the news we read and watch. Looking tough sells. We like drama. Who cares about facts? Just play the part.

However, some minds don’t know the difference, and when they act out, when they crawl on a roof in broad daylight to take a shot at a candidate, we’re shocked as if we didn’t see it coming.

But we’ve been at this for a very long time with our words and actions. We’re far less civil and far more armed. I don’t think we’d get civil rights or freedom of speech passed today if it didn’t already exist. The constant drip..drip..drip of falsehoods erodes community and character. Demonization purposely gets you looking outward rather than inward.

Perhaps, as that famous movie line suggested, we truly can't handle the truth. That we are comfortable letting others do the thinking and talking for us. We cherish our chosen ignorance, our feelings, and freedoms more than the actual facts, leaving us vulnerable to manipulation and blind to microaggressions—as long as they target someone else.

We have got to evolve.

The struggle for progress must be relentless. As election season marches on, your role as a citizen-leader is to recognize these subtle aggressions. Ask yourself: Does this message inspire hope or instill fear? Does it highlight threats or opportunities? Once you notice them, don't just vote—vaccinate. Inoculate yourself and others against the virus of divisive rhetoric. It’s the only way you’ll awaken. Because in the end, our time here is short. The most powerful weapon against societal violence isn't just a ballot—it's a mind immune to fear-mongering and a heart open to constant progress.

Let's make America kind again, one less microaggression at a time.

• Whatever he was thinking, it wasn’t public service.

• Want to know how lucky we are to get the America we have? Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton is a brilliant read.

• The courage and luck to survive being shot and continuing a life of service.

I love this guy. He has all the qualities of a great American. He found something that intrigued him and pursued it doggedly. Along the way, he discovered many things that served him and others. I include this piece because understanding our past better presents all kinds of opportunities.

I have floated the idea that high school science classes should have a section using AncestryDNA. Not only would such a class be heavy in the STEM categories, but it would also stimulate thinking and be fun.

We all have a connection to the past, with some of us being more connected than we are aware. Fresh discoveries would go a long way to healing a lot of divides. If you’re interested in more stories like Mr. Holman’s, this book by Edward Ball is an excellent read. (Side note: I’ve got my own DNA surprise story to tell someday in a future Porcupine.)

I’ve always been intrigued by these instances where law and creativity intersect and a private holding goes to the public. It’s unique, and I’m not against it, hoping people might spur more creativity than the original holder. Of course, creativity is in the beholder's eye, and Walt might not be too happy with what becomes of Mickey. So far, what has come out of some of these offerings is disappointing, appearing to be more of a money grab and not necessarily an enhancement of an original good. I understand where the Disney company is coming from, but as a creative, a new set of eyes can’t hurt.

There are many more properties to come. Some of the Sherlock Holmes works, Popeye, and even George Orwell’s 1984.

Though sometimes 1984 seems to be too real.

Could this be the end of the mystery? Intriguing indeed. My grandmother used to tell me about the time she met Charles Lindbergh in St. Louis, and of course, the only other master of the air commonly known to the world was Amelia Earhart. She simply vanished and for decades, people have sunk their time and money into finding her. After all the hubbub and technology over finding the Titanic, the ability to see deep into the ocean is getting better and better, and this guy may have succeeded. This is worth a read.

I’ve very much enjoyed the variety of stamps that the US Postal Service has produced. I’ve written many notes over the years and used stamps of Star Trek, prominent writers and poets, nature scenes, the mighty Mississippi, and Disney villains. Though I’m not so happy with the rising cost of stamps, I see it as an investment. These stamps tell a story, one where we may not know all the Americans who played a part. If not for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, we would most likely continue missing this piece of our history.

As for the postal service, despite a continual drumbeat of disenchantment, the service is a great American success story in supporting community connections and the middle class. For many Americans, the mail carrier is the only person they see on any given day. The dispersal of good-paying union jobs and postal offices throughout the country has been a bedrock of stability.

Do I feel like the quality has dropped off some? Yes, but I think it has been more from purposeful neglect and destruction. Many non-gun public services have been monkeyed with for several decades now to drive them to dysfunction or extinction. Without a change in attitudes toward public services and buffers like stronger unions, such efforts will continue.

Thank you for reading. I get a big boost in new subscribers whenever you share the newsletter with someone. I hope you’ll continue to pass it along. And don’t forget to leave comments (thank you, Dr. Yacht). I make every effort to read and reply to them.

To get ready for elections, check out our new shirt in the store. We hope it will stimulate a bit of conversation and dialogue.

Work on your regular reading habit. Carry a book with you or grab a Kindle. Don’t forget the Libby app, which gives you access to many great library books for free. Surround yourself with knowledge and friends who value knowing. And whenever you make decisions, do your best to be a good human.