Over the past week, I have been devoting some thought about a concluding 2008 post that would sum up a lot of what we have discussed in the first year of existence for the "Interconnections Community".  Let me start by thanking The Washington Times and especially my editors David Eldridge and Jeff Lea for their support. You guys are true forward thinkers and first class journalists.

Since my first post in May, I have tried to inspire and provoke you with what I hope was insightful commentary that not only questioned how we as a community are divided but how we can and should focus on what unites.  We have discussed everything from our general lack of communal civility, toxic inner dialogue, the politics of fear, to President-Elect Barack Obama's historic election.

I think Barack Obama is a good subject for a concluding 2008 commentary. No single event or person  in 2008 best exemplifies the spirit of Interconnectedness than our new President. I say this not only because he is African American, which is historic, but also because his message was inclusive and unifying. He asked us to find common ground and purpose. That is something we have not heard from a Presidential candidate in a long time.

Mr. Obama's election transcends politics. It is a manifestation of the greatness of the American spirit, which does actually shine through eventually and corrects some malady or inequity in our society. I hope that the single biggest impact of his election will be how we as Americans see each other and present ourselves to each other. Perhaps we are moving to a point where we can see beyond racial and other types of labels.

I always say that we have to move away from what I refer to as "Enemy Thinking",  which seems to be the standard for interaction between groups in this country. Enemy thinking is an us against them mentality. Simply put, it is Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Jew, black vs. white, gay vs. straight or rich vs. poor, etc. In other words, if you don't look like me, worship like me, have sex like me or vote like I vote, then you are absolutely wrong and I am absolutely right. We have to stop looking past our common bonds and seeing differences first. As you know, that is the mission of this online community.

So in 2009, we will continue to discuss ways that we can build community and not divide it. Thank you for being part of this community and I hope you remain with us next year and as we join our new President in putting an end to enemy thinking.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

• 
• Comment