In the last four days I have noticed, both within myself and within the people I work with here in NY, a consistent mental state. It is not the one that I might have predicted.
We have not been talking about politics very much. Instead, we all seem to be thinking about how each of us, both individually and together with others, can learn more about how to help make the world a better place.
There seems to be an increased awareness of the troubles of others — particularly in places where we had never had the awareness to look, such as other parts of this country. And then a working through of possible ways to help lighten the burden of those troubles, as well as a willingness to learn more about how we might be helpful, across cultural divides.
It reminds me, in a way, of how we New Yorkers were with one another in the Autumn of 2001. We were aware, of course, that all around us was a maelstrom of rage. But here on the streets of New York, I mostly observed that people, amidst their mood of terrible sadness, were unusually kind to each other. Strangers would smile reassuringly at one another, and make a point of helping each other out.
It seems that New Yorkers are at our best when we have a sense of purpose.
My son Richard has forwarded your blog. He is your friend, I hear. We are proud of him.
Our small community out here on Vancouver Island has the highest percentage of elderly people in Canada so I would guess that while they might not totally endorse Trump,some would align themselves with his stance on immigration and even climate change.
Our friends are aghast with the situation in the U.S.as are we. We listen on radio exclusively to CBC ( your NPR) so in spite of the efforts of CBC to be impartial, there is a liberal bias.
Interesting – and scary – times. Keith and Joy Smith