Are we getting back to ‘us’ vs. ‘them?’

It was “us,” the USA, against “them” -- Russia, the USSR. I remember the civil defense sirens going off and scooching under our desks at school for shelter from tornados and such, the “such” being a missile. But no one dared speak about that. Especially to children. It was the mid-20th century’s most frightening nebulous bogey man.

You wouldn’t think Iowa would be a strategic target for Russia. Well, the neighboring town was the home of the John Deere foundry and a defense contractor that made bombs. The rumor was John Deere had the molds and dies to switch over production from farm implements and tractors to military fighter planes and tanks within hours and be cranking out those items within a day or two. Impressive.

It was probably true. They smelted and forged steel and iron to make engines, frames, plow blades and all the bits (probably even the screws, nuts and bolts). Tractors and implements were built on site, from heaps of scrap metal to shiny green works of agricultural art (The green paint is very expensive).  So, with some tweaks and refitting, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to spew out tanks, planes, howitzers and armored dozers.

Whatever was produced at the defense contractor was a big secret. Nobody talked about it. It was presumed to be munitions. Bomb shelters were a thing. I didn’t know anyone who had one. But then, those were kept hush-hush, too. If a massive bomb fell, you didn’t want people flocking to your underground habitat, or more likely in that doomsday scenario, shooting you and taking it over.

People were afraid. It wasn’t expressed routinely. But there was an “us” and a “them.” And the “them” was the enemy bent on destroying “us” and ruining our way of life.

For anyone looking in on our society today, it looks like we’re experiencing something very similar. Again. There is an “us” and a “them.” But now we’ve established those lines domestically. We have a police and military presence in our streets. There’s a steady surrender of our American way of life, our freedoms and certain rights. Because the enemy is here and we have to take them down. Sometimes, the perceived threat is in the next town, the next block, next door or the next room. We have those fear and the anger parts down pat. 

Thing is, perception is everything in this “conflict.” Is your neighbor, coworker, friend, family member really bent on doing you in? Are you being told what to believe, to think, to fear? I’m trained to think critically,  so I balk at believing everything I read and hear. I check several sources when there’s some new threat or terror. Some sources are neutral and report just facts. Then you fill in the blanks. History is another great teacher. We’ve seen all this before. In several periods of time, in several civilizations. We have tons of great historians (Robert Reich’s works are worth exploring.) Google top universities for opinions and teaching on our current state of affairs and the history of similar situations. Include international sources to get a feel for other countries’ perspectives. You’ll get plenty of material to feed on.

Going forward, how about digging a little deeper when you’re told to be terrified in your community, to fear your neighbor or coworker. Use your own senses, your own brain. What’s the history been for these people? Maybe you’re one of the “them.” Do you deserve this anger? Have you earned this fear? Can you dispel it? If you’re an “us,” what’s changed? Anything? Can you step back and put yourself in another’s shoes for a minute? Do you have the empathy to view through another’s eyes the fury being spun up against them? Do you have the compassion to ignore the noise and embrace your friend, your neighbor, a struggling stranger and help them?

That’s humanity, helping each other when things go sideways. Don’t be sucked in by all the chaos of news and imagery flying at you. Take a step back. Be thoughtful. Be kind. Treat others as you would like to be treated. It’s the Golden Rule. Use it.