We are parochial by birth; we love our neighborhoods and towns, our sports teams and our schools, as well as churches, county fairs, local music, and parish festivals.
No matter what the subject is, we brag ours is better than yours, maybe put on our team jersey’s and crow about it, but for the most part it is all done in good nature. We find a way to come together on some cultural touchstone and we continue on with our lives.
“It is a shame that politics cannot adopt that same robust competitive nature, that doesn’t end with a conniption,” said one building manager, after watching the State of the Union address last week.
“You know, disagree on some things, but show a little respect when it comes to other things,” he said.
He was adamant in not wanting to give his real name. "Just use 'Derek,'" he says shaking his head, "because I see what happens on social media if you express a thought.”*For those curious about this reference, neo-Marxism isn't specifically about Communism or Socialism as much as it's an ideology dedicated to dividing society into Balkanized groups based on the perceived status of victims or victimizers. Adding to the chaos is that victim groups compete for the status of "top victim". The "neo" aspect is that everything, including sports, superhero movies, innocuous conversations at work, etc., becomes politicized.
Exactly when did American culture devolve to the point where the highest human achievement is being a victim?
Why is this encouraged by our political class? Because power is more easily seized and exercised when the public is divided. If I were a cynic I would say it also facilitates the acquisition of shady money. This is familiar to any student of history; it's nothing new.
Christianity, and most other existent religions, recognize this as a harmful tendency in human nature and seek to reconcile it so that peace might be known.