In addition to the steep learning curve associated with a new position at work, I have been preparing to teach a course titled, “Apology, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation,” for the Master of Dispute Resolution program at our West Los Angeles campus. It is a fascinating and ever-timely topic in this world of ours with no shortage of moving literature, including the book I saved for last, The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, by Simon Weisenthal.
Weisenthal survived the Holocaust and gained fame as a “Nazi hunter.” The Sunflower tells of his being summoned to the bedside of a dying Nazi soldier while a prisoner in a concentration camp where the soldier confessed his deeds and asked for forgiveness. Weisenthal offered only silence. Soon afterward, he questioned his response, and in fact, ends his section of the book by placing the reader in his place and posing the heart-wrenching question, “What would I have done?” The rest of the book shares answers to the penetrating question from fifty-three people around the world, from the Dalai Lama to Desmond Tutu.
Two days after finishing the book, I finally visited the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. and didn’t know whether to be amazed or embarrassed to notice that it was described as “A Simon Weisenthal Center Museum.” Um, perfect timing? Although it addresses a variety of topics, the heart of the Museum is the Holocaust Exhibit that guides visitors through the development of Nazi Germany and the terrible atrocities that followed. It was sadly fascinating to learn that the Nazis began as a few guys sharing burgers in a beer joint, but what struck me most was the statement that this humble beginning grew to such perplexing power to influence fellow citizens to carry out unspeakable acts because they “exploited hopelessness.”
Well, my first inclination was far too easy: Write a blog lamenting how terrible it is to exploit hopelessness and title it, Exude Hopefulness. But there’s a problem. Exuding hopefulness is exactly how you exploit hopelessness. Promise hopeless folks better days ahead. That’s exactly what the Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, and lots of other folks are doing at this very moment.
Hopeless people have to be wary, I guess, but I suspect that wariness is not high on the to-do list of hopeless people.
So, for the sake of the world, I have two thoughts to offer instead.
First, remain hopeful. You. Don’t tell others to be hopeful. You remain hopeful yourself. Losing hope is too dangerous, and we are susceptible to such terrible things.
Second, remove the reasons others are hopeless. Actions over words. Hopelessness is not to be used. It is to be subverted. Love people. Seek justice. Feed hungry folks. Give someone a job. Volunteer your time and your money.
Humanity is both capable of and susceptible to terrible things. But wow, the possibilities for good are limitless.
Starting to Look Up 