FROM WHERE I SIT…
"Never argue with someone whose TV is bigger than their bookshelf."
- Emilia Clarke
This coming Monday (January 16th) we will celebrate the life and the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Often known these days as ‘MLK Day,’ I’m going take some liberty with this column to write what I believe to be the most important ‘business argument’ in why this day is important to the agencies, businesses, and organizations in our valley who work everyday to keep our economy strong.
But first a word about that quote about televisions and bookshelves. True confessions, I don’t have any gripe with big TV screens, I don’t own one, and most of my books are sadly stored in boxes as my bookshelf space is jammed. Emilia Clarke is a youngish British actress, best known in America for her portrayals in the show Game of Thrones.
“Othering” is what I want to talk to you about today. An ever-present thread in everything that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote and preached was care for and love of the ‘other’ among us. We are amid a world and of an economy which is constantly changing. According to information from the United Nations, more than 300 million people are currently living outside of their historic homeland. Most, nearly all, of these fellow humans, have little chance or hope to return home. In other words, they’re looking for a new place to call home, to practice their trade, to raise their families.
As humans we can only process a limited amount of change in a short time without experiencing anxiety. The constant 24-hour news cycle, even when all they do is to keep spinning the same information, has caused anxiety to reach breaking levels for many people. This is a natural human reaction, it’s even expected—but how we decide to respond to this anxiety is social. It also directly connects to our future prosperity.
We might pause on Monday, ponder the words and the actions of Rev. King, wonder if there might be a better way, a more humane way, a way that will assure our mutual prosperity, success, and survival. When we get to know one another, learn each other’s traditions and faith underpinnings, we greatly improve the chance that the ‘Other’ will become the ‘Brother or Sister.’
You see, those ‘other people’ might very well be great co-workers and customers, enjoyable neighbors, but you will never know that unless and until we drop the whole ‘other’ designation from our vocabulary. How about we work alongside each other to make the Greater Susquehanna River Valley a place of ‘Many Traditions, One Community.’
Speaking of which, your Chamber honored and thrilled to work in full partnership with the organizations in our valley who are working to eliminate ‘othering’ from the dark recesses of our area. Our associates in this work include our valley’s churches, temples, and mosques along with, the Susquehanna Valley United Way, Susquehanna Valley Mediation, YMCA, CommunityZone, DIG Furniture Bank, and our education and healthcare partners.
Othering and Belonging
