It was “neighboring” that did it. Last winter it was neighboring that exposed ICE for its nefarious “othering” practices, and drove its hyper belligerent leader and many of its squadrons out of Minneapolis. The neighboring began spontaneously: food was delivered, people at risk of being deported were provided protection, residents showed up to monitor and film ICE actions. Over the course of a few weeks the neighboring became coordinated and organized. And despite false accusations from the Department of Homeland Security, the neighboring remained non-violent.
The neighboring of witness and action stood up for fellow residents. At the same time the growing number of activists in Minneapolis stood up against the othering of ICE. ICE’s mission was to identify and remove who they decreed to be others: those who don’t belong. The tactics to achieve that mission first involved the othering of themselves. ICE agents donned masks, they wore camouflage uniforms that displayed no names; they looked forbidding; to some they did not appear to be human. Which, in a bizarre and cruel way, made their mission easier; for by othering themselves they could be more aggressive and hostile in othering others.
It has often been said that the extraordinary display of neighboring in Minneapolis represented a pivot point in American life. It demonstrated that neighboring ultimately has more power than othering. ICE was chastened in Minneapolis, and since then it has revised its strategy: they are not as visible, aggressive, and hostile – but its commitment to othering is unchanged. In some quarters, it has doubled down. Othering has become public policy. In a recently released taxpayer funded 30 second TV ad, President Trump promises that “socialism, communism and Marxism will be defeated once and for all…America will never be a communist country.” Couple this statement with his ongoing denunciations and insults, and his commitment to take down any and all who express disagreement or appear disloyal, the President reinforces his commitment to othering.
The Latin root of the word religion is religio, referring to practices, symbols and stories that bind people together. To re – ligio: to put back the ligaments that have been torn or frayed. Neighboring seeks to do that. Trump and his followers seek to tear those ligaments further or sever them altogether. In some ways, it is the only strategy he has. And it works, though with less and less success.
My first remembered experience of my othering someone else happened in the fifth or sixth grade. It was not about race or religion, but the presence of another student. Her name was Suzanne, and while she participated quietly in class and was industrious and smart, she looked dangerously frail. She looked other. I don’t think I or anyone else bullied her; she was too shy and respectful for that. But I was afraid of her. I kept my distance. I worried that if I acknowledged her as a neighbor, I might somehow become a victim of similar fragility. That I might become other.
Othering is a natural human response. We can easily other ourselves with an ideology or theology that makes it easier to dismiss the dignity, if not the humanity, of some other. Our fear needs to be identified and owned. Unchecked it can metastasize into prejudice, racism, and overt hate.
Othering, especially when it partners with prejudice and racism, can easily become public policy, which we are witnessing in so many heart wrenching ways. Neighboring strengthens the ligaments of a community and stands against the policies and politics of dividing into a hierarchy of humanity, where the favored receive favors, and the others are ignored, punished or oppressed – and even killed.
The saga of Minneapolis this past winter gave America an example of how neighboring can help stem the tide of othering. And has inspired moments and movements of neighboring all across the country. We need to continue to build on those important and transforming demonstrations.
In a few weeks we have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to neighboring, but on a much larger scale. On November 3 US citizens will be invited to vote in the midterm elections. We are being inundated with campaign ads that come through the mail, text or TV, and most of us can’t wait for the blizzard to end. While most of the attention is being directed to the choice between one candidate and another (and almost all candidates engage in attempts to “other” their opponent) a more important issue is the need to stand up for our neighbors and stand up against the forces and voices that want to other portions of the electorate by restricting, threatening, or even removing their right to vote.
For the past several months I have been engaged with leaders of faith-based, bridge building groups to promote free, fair and safe elections. To claim that voting is a sacred trust; that free, fair and safe elections are a foundational component of American democracy. That we honor our neighbors by encouraging and protecting their right to vote. Proclaiming free, fair and safe elections is a needed witness, especially as far too many forces and voices seek to create a climate of other. That we have faith in an America where people can vote for whomever they choose; that their votes will be honored. Here are ways that you can help promote free, fair and safe elections: https://braverangels.org/faith-in-america
Minneapolis showed us how neighboring is a power and resource that can make a difference. Let’s use it. Let’s work at bringing the various ligaments of our country together.
