“To be between a rock and a hard place, to be bankrupt. Common in Arizona in recent panics; sporadic in California.” –Dialect Notes V from the year 1921
There are many times in my life where I have found myself in just this place, not necessarily bankrupt, but between a rock and a hard place. I’m sure that you have as well.
If you have a large family it becomes far too familiar a place. 🙂
But lately I find myself there when I look at our society, and consider the structures that we built to protect, nurture, and strengthen us. We elect, hire, promote and trust individuals with varying degrees of power over us to carry out this very task – maintaining a civilized, safe and happy life for everyone.
Now I know no system in itself can do this. Some people are intent on being miserable; others are victims of senseless violence.
But what I’m struggling with is what do we do when these structures are greatly abused, and power is used for selfish gain, slander is the norm, and those commissioned to serve and protect instead suppress the truth and destroy persons?
I keep telling myself that we are not yet in this place, that hope for a renewed society is still very real, but the evidence continues to grow. As a former scientist, the data is stacking up to suggest that we must at least be aware that we may well be between a rock and a hard place.
What do you think, and what can be done by each of us? How do we tear down only to truly rebuild a hopeful future, not for the sake of tearing down alone?
How do we build something worthwhile between the rock and a hard place?