I was raised during the Joe McCarthy era “Red Scare” times. Growing up in an ethnically mixed, working class community I remember very well the fear of that time. If you weren’t a “real” American you were suspect. If you supported unions you were a communist. We had people in our neighborhood disappear. Sound familiar?
Then there were the 60s, a disruptive and violent era. Being in school during most of that time, being in the middle of the mix, it was hard to view the big picture but, anytime I see old news footage it shows a time of real turmoil: race riots, student riots, citizens shot and beaten in the streets. Civil rights of Americans almost completely ignored.
We, baby boomers, have lived through some crazy times but never has the country as a whole been this angry with spontaneous violence exploding everywhere. Our national leadership appears to encourage disruption, violence and intolerance. This all worries me on many levels, but it is on the personal level that I have my most concern.
I have a cousin who is one of those people who radiates beauty. When we were young her eyes sparkled, she always had a kind word for even the least kind among us. She grew up into a powerful, smart, dedicated woman who spent her whole life helping others.
She had a very stressful job working with people in crisis. She was great at it. The people she helped needed her help and appreciated what she could do. I would occasionally go to work with her and observe. She was a force. But as the years passed I could see her work effort having a negative effect on her. I suggested she retire. She laughed me off. I suggested she try and do less. She said it wasn’t possible.
Her blood pressure rose, she wasn’t sleeping well. Her doctor said, “I can prescribe some Valium for you.” For my cousin that was the smack on the head she needed. “Valium!” she screamed at me, “My doctor thinks I need Valium.” She wasn’t going to take pharmaceuticals. She decided to retire. I was stunned but pleased.
She did all the usual retirement things; she traveled overseas, she visited relatives she hadn’t seen in a while. She joined a gym and volunteered at the library. It took her about a year to decompress and she looked great. The sparkle was back, her shoulders less stooped. I was happy for her.
Then the 2016 elections came and went and a new king was crowned and my cousin was livid. It appeared a personal affront to her. All her life she was helping people and now all that work was going to be undone. She joined the resistance. She put all her power and energy and effort into becoming politically involved.
She was returning to the stressed out hard worker she had been before retirement. I could see all the old signs of stress and fatigue returning. I found myself in a difficult situation. I believe in her resistance work and think it needs to be done. I just worry it is doing her in.
It’s not just her. Everywhere I look and read, people are stressed and angry. Simple discussions turn into violent insults. Basic common decency seems to be on a decline.
Every day there are new scandals, new insults, new threats against those least able to care for themselves. I am worried.
When our best and brightest are getting burned out, what light does that hold for our future?
Gabriel A. Fraire has been a writer more than 45 years. He can be reached through his website at: www.gabrielfraire.com.
