This summer, there will be families traveling in their cars for the annual family vacation. Long distance drives to see grandparents or to attend family reunions or to visit destinations like Yellowstone or Grand Canyon National Park. Depending upon the age of children, who may riding in the back seat of the car, there will probably be the inevitable question posed to their parents, " Are we there yet ? " This question usually is motived by the boredom of children or their need to go to the bathroom. " Are we there yet ? "
Right now, as a country, we are also asking the same question "Are we there yet ?" in terms of democracy, in terms of tolerance and respect for others and for supporting diversity. The backlash that we have witnessed from some politicians and political groups should give us all pause. When people who are grieving the loss of a loved one are castigated because of their faith, which by some is viewed as "the other'; when continued hate and suspicion exists between communities of color and law enforcement; and when people who suffer from mental illness are either treated savagely by police or they are neglected by the lack of appropriate treatment services and find themselves floundering and they become a risk to themselves or to others, we need to ask ourselves " are we there yet ? ".
Democracy flourishes when there is the encouragement of a free exchange of ideas and opinions unabated and not by people who scream " believe me " or " Only I can fix it. " Nor is democracy cultivated when angry voices call for " locking people up. " This is the language of tyrannical totalitarian regimes not of a country that espouses for freedom of thought, belief and action.
Economic hard times and periods when some people find themselves struggling and living on the margins and not being able to benefit due to lack of upward mobility are combustible fuel for the rise of potential tyrants and dictators. This has been repeated time and time again throughout history.
This year, we have seen politicians half-heartedly say that they can't endorse another candidate seeking public office, that "they are not there yet."
Perhaps, the most important question to ask is what prevents us as a country from arriving at the destination that we want for our ourselves, our families and our society? What is preventing us from becoming "the shining city on the hill " or in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. " the beloved community'?
We need to remember that as people of faith and as citizens our task is to serve others. Taking care of the widow, the orphan, the sojourner in your land ( Deuteronomy 10: 18 ) is not just something that would be nice to do, but rather it becomes an imperative for anyone who wants to lead a faithful life. This kind of caring and service is not expressed by receiving a national medal of heroism and then replying " I always wanted one of these and it was easier getting it." This type pf response makes a mockery of the award and of the service.
The Jewish concept of "Hesed" states that you love someone purely for who they are, without expectations and disclaimers. This is a powerful concept where humans affirm, love and respect one another purely as sacred sentient beings.
Somehow, we have lost this in our national discourse and in our interactions with others. Instead of listening and being open to what others might have to say, we have to be right and we have to be recognized that we are right and not be asked questions, and we have to be in control.
As the child in the back seat of the car asks the father or mother in the front seat of the car, "Are we there yet?"
No, unfortunately we are not there yet.
May the divine, however known, help us and lead us to get there somehow and soon!
May it be so.