All Together, a little more Kindness

Hopefully we’ve not come to the point of no return where everyone’s shouting and yelling “I GOT THE TRUTH!” and no one is listening. But it seems that way now. We’re less than four months away from the presidential election and the noise and fist shaking is getting worse. And divisive threats are being launched from opposing sides as if it’s Armageddon.

I stopped to take a breath, tried to focus, and remembered that when I first began contributing essays to the Havok Journal many of them were about kindness and how we should try in some small way every day and in many ways to do acts of kindness to those around us and for our environment. It could be as simple as a soft smile to a passerby or when you’re driving, stopping to let a pedestrian cross the street – put on your flashes as a signal to following and oncoming traffic, or picking up a piece of litter and disposing of it properly. Seems like simpler times just three or four years ago.

Don’t get me wrong. We should still be doing random acts of kindness, now even more so!

For weeks I wanted to share a few thoughts about DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness but it seemed as if live fire was coming in from all sides. I didn’t want to stick my head up in the middle of an intense fire-fight. But I’m concerned and worried about what seems to me to be short-sighted vindictiveness. I wasn’t going to write and then I was – wasn’t, was. I was thinking, why bother, everyone already knows where it’s at, has chosen their positions, dug trenches, brought in ammunition, and is itching for the battle to begin, shouting over the ramparts “I’m right, you’re wrong.”

So I was back to wasn’t and then remembered KINDNESS and decided to fly a couple of large white sheets and yell “Don’t fire. Give me a couple of minutes to babble.” I’m going to do my best to keep DEI non-confrontational, talk about the edges, maybe ramble. Like part of the Masthead of the Havok Journal – write drunk. So, please get yourself a beer or whatever and try to give me a listen up.   

Dumb me. I was worried I somehow misconstrued what DEI meant. Better get the terms correct so I went to the internet: DEI – diversity, equity, and inclusion. One entry went on to explain that they were interconnected concepts and that all three when present would encourage an environment of respect and fairness in the workplace. Heck, nothing wrong about that.

Good teamwork in a business maximizes profit. I worked for IBM roughly 1975 – 2000. Golden years. In the local office it was like a dream machine. We all had different skills and to make a successful sale and installation we all worked together as a team and that included the customer. Race, religion, gender, political affiliation didn’t matter. (OK, here in Wisconsin it helped to be a Packer fan although there were always a couple of calls for Da Bears!)

Kindness meant having a cup of coffee together, asking about family, vacation plans, fishing reports.

All were included! What worked so well then would also work in the playground, in grade school. No bullies, no name calling, all students learning to work and learn together. Now it seems that since all too many parents have forgotten this valuable lesson, it has to be taught. Sad.

Think about it. Maximizing the effectiveness of your schools and communities by being inclusive. We are all unique, each with special skills and perspectives. You’d want to maximize these talents rather than let them go to waste. Surely you would if you were kind. And kindness is forever – if someone is outside the boat, needs a hand-up and in, help with the oar, then why not be kind?

Think about it from a selfish standpoint. I help a person get through college or a trade school, or nursing program, etc. Couple of things happen. They end up with a better paying job and pay more taxes AND I pay less. I have a busted toilet – I don’t have to wait weeks for a plumber! And if you’re thinking there aren’t enough spots in college or programs – well whose fault is that? Ante’ up now so that when you’re old and might need a nurse, there’s no shortage. I don’t think that when one needs emergency help they’re going to say, “No. Get lost, I don’t care if I die or my house burns down. You’re not the right color or religion or gender.” Really! And at 82 I’ve a lot of doctors most of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants!

Oops. Looks like I fessed up. Want everyone to be smarter than me, better trained, and willingly available if I need help. Seems to me that’s not going to happen unless we move to something like DEI and make up for all the time we lost kicking people down rather than pulling them up.

I think kindness, even if it’s of the selfish kind, would suggest that something like DEI is a good idea. Maybe it needs tuning and coordination so that everyone can be as fulfilled as possible – better schools, colleges, and programs for all. More people working together as a team. That way we can all go forward together.

______________________________

Ken was a Professor of Mathematics, a ceramicist, a welder, and an IBMer until downsized in 2000. He taught yoga until COVID-19 decided otherwise. He continues writing, living with his wife and beagle in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries. He’s a homebrewer and runs whitewater rivers. Ken is a writer and his literary works can be found at https://www.kmkbooks.com/

He welcomes feedback on his articles and can be reached at havokjournal@havokmedia.com.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.