I could use some help with a writing project. Part of what Im trying to do is to capture what what seems to be Anderson Coopers public world view, or the CNN Heroes story. Below is my attempt to capture this story, and Id appreciate any comments. For now, my interest is in whether Ive got this story right, or how to improve it in ways that would resonate well with those who hold it. (In another post, Ill ask whether/to what extent the view is true, or--with a nod to my friend Gene Stowe:)--what that claim might even mean.) Here goes: There is a kind of humanitarianism that plays well with certain forms of religion, but stands fairly independently of religious thought. What really matters to these humanitarians—activists—is the way we treat one another here and now, not what happens in some hereafter. They are dedicated to working hard and getting better at the really important things: science, engineering, economic development, health care, upholding human rights; they think we are in fact getting steadily better at all these things. Admittedly, our very real progress in defining and upholding moral standards—against slavery, say, and for gender equality—is irregular, marked by a stubborn bent toward unthinkable behavior which is admittedly difficult to understand, all the more so when we glimpse it in ourselves. But even the worst expression of inhumanity, even evil, can be and has been overcome by the best expressions of humanity, a kind of heroism that we like to believe is possible for all of us in some measure. Humanitarians are dedicated to clarifying and hitting this mark as well as each of us can: treating people with unconditional respect and even love is the right way forward. Every time people interact there is the possibility of good and often truly remarkable things happening. Sometimes even otherwise ordinary human beings rise to profound moral heights that leave a deep impression in us through our encounters with them. Even more remarkably, sometimes in our encounters with ordinary people in need, we recognize that same richness of response in ourselves. We should live so as not to forget the heroes in our experience, even the ordinary heroes in our neighbors and that we ourselves can be. And we should continually uphold the very best expressions of this remarkable human solidarity: encountering these best expressions of humanity—a Mother Theresa, a Ghandi, a Nelson Mandela—is profoundly transformative in the best of ways. Comments, questions, etc are welcome from all fronts. Thanks.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:27:11 +0000
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