The Frog

A popular but completely false parable suggests that a frog placed in a pot of warm water that is slowly raised to the boiling point will not sense the impending doom until it is too late, but suddenly immersed in boiling water will instantly jump out. This aphorism is intended to suggest that when faced with gradual change --even though it may be for the worse we are loath to react. The morbidity of the story aside, it is often cited as a cautionary tale to those who remain passive in the midst of threats to their livelihood or even their lives.

The only part of this apologue that contains a kernel of truth is the passivity, bordering on apathy, that we humans may experience when we are confronted by an existential threat. Biologically we are conditioned to a flight or fright response hardwired in our amygdala. But for those who have suffered a traumatic experience such imperatives may no longer be functional. In the face of threat, they shut down or become incapable of action reliving their trauma in an endless loop.

The psychological sciences describe this as a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, the clinical presentation of which includes intrusive thoughts and memories, negative changes in thinking and mood, changes in physical and emotional reactions and avoidance. If this sounds familiar it is not without reason.

Subjected to a near daily assault on our sensibilities, words and actions which we have heretofore regarded as unthinkable, as contrary to any version of our nation's conduct and values, many are clearly suffering from PTSD. That over 12 million people across the country summoned the courage and stood for a day in the summer's heat to peacefully protest is nothing short of remarkable given what has already occurred but dismaying as it is, there is a collective recognition that this is merely the opening salvo in a remaking of our country, not into some fantasy of greatness, but a descent into a behavior that our ancestors paid a fearsome price to defeat more than 85 years ago.

It is clear many of us are in shock and some perhaps in denial, frozen and lacking in hope of rescue either through the rules of law that once prevailed, or through the conventions of politics as usual. It is not simply the broad gulf that divide Americans but the openly stated hatred, the expressions of hoped for genocide for those whose moral and ethical persuasions differ that compels many to silence, to camouflage in the hope of escaping notice. We swore as a country what happened once would never happen here, yet we watch it unfold as if following a precise script.

No one will rescue us, that remains, as it has always been, our responsibility. Defeatists and cynics, whether state actors intent on inflaming our divisions, crypto nationalists or religious extremists will exert every effort to disinform, misdirect and otherwise confound every effort to counter the gathering forces arrayed against our country--those from within and without. They are the Scylla and Charybdis through which we must pass--seductive sirens of do nothing-ism.

We must not be persuaded to see each other --ordinary citizens, neighbors and even family as delusional or worse, but understand that they wish for most of what we do, even if we disagree on the means. We must not let ourselves be divided into democrats and republicans, liberals and conservatives, white or not white, rich and poor. Those who hold and wish for absolute power use these labels and narratives they have invented to pit us against one another, to distract us from their true purpose to keep us from obtaining a just, lawful and peaceful society. They are the enemy of our nation, not the immigrants who like our own ancestors came hear seeking refuge from prejudice, affliction and harm--who sought to raise themselves and their families by dint of hard work and allegiance to a spirit of liberty and tolerance. Nor are they who belong to another political party, race or faith.

Our differences are what make this country great when we embrace and lift up the unique contributions all have made to the ideals on which we were founded. Be steadfast, be tolerant, find something to bind you to your neighbor, even and especially those with whom you do not share common ground. But also be prepared to do all within your means to oppose any and every effort to dismantle our democracy.

If you believe in the political process then do all you can through those channels to lift up those who are doing the work in our cities, states and government to preserve our country. If you have grown disillusioned by politics as they are today than seek out others who like you are willing to stand through peaceful protest, through labor actions, through your church, your club, your union or any other organization that seeks to make community, to preserve respect and the values of our nation.

It's long past time to jump out of the pot, or to sit on the sidelines or hope for the best. The water is boiling, get out.