The question isn’t whether we will experience fear but rather what are we going to do when we find ourselves afraid? (Nhat Hanh)
Many of us are overwhelmed and to survive emotionally, we have quit watching local and national news. It feels like we are living in an Age of Fear where fear has infiltrated every corner of American life including fear of immigrants, violence/safety, government overreach, personal job loss and economic security. Floridians and Americans must remain informed and not abdicate their role to impact governing by the people for the people. “Xenophobia is a fear of strangers, unknown people, or their communities who are different from us. This fear is intense and involves dislike and hatred towards the language, customs, and culture of foreign lands.” These hateful attitudes go against the essence of who Americans are as described in the poem on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses….”! For many Americans and immigrants alike, chaos/turmoil and resulting fear are daily realities.
Recent events in June at the national and local levels demonstrate our current reality. Imagine the terror of being told, overnight, that your job, your family’s security, or even your right to remain in this country could be revoked without warning. A recent protest of Cuban detainees spelled out SOS by collectively shaping their bodies because of unfair detainment at the Krome Detention Center. In Bonita Springs, immigrants fear going to work or gathering in public places due to ICE raids, causing business revenue loss. Locally, there were strong No King Protests in Naples and protests over construction of “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades creating a temporary migrant detention center on environmentally fragile land. Across the U.S., concerns were expressed about the threat of federal deployment of National Guard in any city as needed and fear of Iranian retaliation on the American homeland from U.S. bombings. Not only immigrants but all Americans are impacted by these chaotic national/statewide events.
Our Constitution and three branches of government are supposed to protect citizens through a balance of power. Fear-driven governance does not safeguard our freedom especially when legislators are threatened to conform or lose party support. This undermines the very institutions that Congress is meant to preserve. How will Floridians respond when:
∙ Federal judges and their families face threats or impeachment for upholding the law?
∙ Superintendents, civil servants, and researchers resign due to ethical conflicts or fear for their safety?
∙ Public institutions and private citizens are targeted for retribution?
∙ Academic freedom is significantly impacted by government limiting approved curriculum content?
∙ When the U.S. orders bombing attacks on Iran without knowledge and support of Congress?
We are seeing a reshaping of the moral fabric through intimidation and fear. Fr. Jarek Sniosek, a Catholic priest and canon lawyer, asks us to consider that:
“We are social creatures; we want to belong — but this desire for acceptance may lead us to embrace falsehoods. Today, people feel pressure to conform to the views of their political party, social circle, or online community — even when they sense something is wrong. Fear of being ostracized leads many to remain silent or go along with deception. (Catholic Journey Today)
The Ford Foundation adds this moral challenge: “History reminds us that the only way to ensure all of our freedoms… is to take action on behalf of others. And to do that, we must have the moral courage to face not just our fears but fear itself.”
Being informed is key to utilizing your moral courage and making your voices heard. The question remains: What will you do when fear comes? Fear may be unavoidable. But silence is not an option.
Kathryn Elkins, M.S., C.A.S. in Educational Leadership, works as an educational consultant. Kathy lives in Bonita Springs and South Portland, Maine.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fear shapes our perspective based on national and global issues | Opinion
Reporting by Kathryn Elkins / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
