In talking about the education challenges in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and New Mexico, you and I like to say, “We are all in this together.”
But, just who is the “we” we talking about?
Answer: It often depends on who you are. Yes … YOU.
- where you grew up (which neighborhood, city, state, region, country) –
- other places you have travelled to or lived –
- who you hang out with –
- who you are not uncomfortable with –
- what color your skin is –
- what your cultural heritage is –
- what language you speak most fluently –
- whether you are male or female –
- whether you are gay or straight –
- your political party or thinking –
- are you an entrepreneur or an employee –
Now … imagine what it feels like, just for a moment or two, to let all those definitions and conditions… just … drop … away …
My guess is you would begin to notice that it’s just you. Yourself. Standing there. Pondering.
And then – maybe – you could imagine some of the “others” you can both see and can’t see, but know are there.
And notice that, son-of-a-gun, they are very much just like you – and you are very much just like them:
- same senses of seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting
- have a mother and a father, whether they are still alive or not
- like to eat when hungry
- like to sleep or nap when tired
- would like to have access to somewhere to feel safe for a while
- would like to be on life’s merry-go-round even if it’s not on the outside horses where the gold rings are
And now notice … has your definition, understanding, experience of “we” just expanded a little bit?
Good.
Now let’s go out and do this thing called community … together.