Dismembered power
February 26th, 2023
There is an unbreakable power in unity that encompasses everyone, benefits everyone, and helps the whole society —and not just a chosen group. I am lucky to experience it several times in my life (albeit briefly) and that unity left an unforgettable imprint on my mind. Once it was 1989 when I experienced the fall of communism in Poland firsthand. Second — it was in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And the last time — the response to Ukrainian refugees escaping the war just last year. In every instance, it lasted only a couple of days before partisan bickering and pushing for personal benefits started. But in every instance, it was an amazing few days — even in a face of tragedy. The solidarity of the overwhelming majority of society facing a crisis or a fundamental change or fighting for betterment, where everyone is pulling together in the same direction with the same aim and toward the same goal is a sight to behold and an absolute emotional peak giving hope for all.
So, why is it so rare and can happen only after the fact when something radical has already taken a place? Why are we as a society (and I mean every single society that exists now and ever existed) so divided? Why do we exist as a whole within small groups based on political views and religion (or lack of it) or societal and economical status or geography and territoriality? Why is it useful to keep every society fractured where its power is dismembered and that power can only achieve its full force in the face of dramatic change? Who benefits from this status quo?
So many questions, and surprisingly a lot of answers. Unfortunately — most of the answers I got or find from others for those questions veer sharply into conspiracy theories. And that is something I personally want to avoid. I do believe in some of the conspiracy theories, but I cannot believe in a global cabal that spreads its tentacles into every society and every facet of societal living. I rather think that there is something fundamentally missing from a discourse on any political or societal topic — that the power resides within us people and not within the ruling class. We have power and they have fear, so that is easier for them to control society by fostering divisions in it and silencing or ridiculing any conversation and ideas about unity and solidarity in it. And that leads me to another surprise — that thought is not depressing or hopeless as it might seem. In reality that gives me vigor and encouragement to do something about it. At least to call those who need to be brought down a notch (or two, or all the way down to a scaffold) on what they do and ridicule their fearful claims to power and rule. And to share the idea of power through unity — that I will do.
