THOUGHTS FROM THE STATE DIRECTOR
Anomy/anomie: the social instability resulting from an erosion of standards/values resulting in an alienation/uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals. Derived from the Greek: a = without and nomos = law
What would you think if you were walking beside a
creek or beside the ocean and suddenly the waters
started moving in the opposite direction? Would you
accept it as the norm or would you look for an
underlying cause? Those who suffered through the
tsunami in Thailand noticed that the ocean was
retracting; some paid no attention but others saw it as
a sign that something was dreadfully wrong. Those
who paid attention were saved; those who didn't were
swept away in the wall of water that followed the
earthquake beneath the ocean giving rise to the
tsunami. A sudden change in the direction of a river or
creek could signal seismic activity that is causing a
shift in tectonic plates far below the earth.
The creeks and oceans are doing strange
things
We are watching the "creeks" and "oceans" of our
culture and our society do some strange things; our
very way of life is succumbing to the concept of anomy,
a term that one of our CWA members brought to my
attention not long ago. We are seeing the erosion of
rules and standards that have always provided the
stability of our society ... up to now. It is as if we are
watching the normally placid "creek of our
experiences" turn into a raging torrent that is out of
control and going the other way. We can't see
anything on the surface that would explain this strange
creek-behavior we have always counted on to be the
same; it makes us nervous and undermines our
sense of well-being. If we were able to look below the
surface, we might see a shift in the earth's crust or a
volcanic eruption, or even a nuclear blast that
disrupted the constancy of nature but if we don't, we
will suffer the consequences.
What kind of change did Americans want?
Many Americans voted for "change", but did they
anticipate the results of the paradigm shift we are
seeing today? I doubt it. The dictionary defines
a "paradigm shift" as a shift to another model or set of
expectations. The Germans define it as
weltanschaunng: the values that affect the way
an individual perceives reality and responds to that
perception. Many have long been calling for
a "paradigm shift" in our culture but like in nature, that
requires an "explosion" or phenomenon to precipitate
that shift to another model or exemplar. In order to
affect a paradigm shift one needs:
- Professional organizations that give
legitimacy to the shift in values
- Dynamic leaders who can effectively
articulate the change in values/thought
- Journals/editors who will be the
pamphleteers of the shift
- Governmental agencies
- Educators
- Conferences
- Lay groups
- Sources of funding
The job of convincing us everything is
okay
We are in the process of being convinced that: a
paradigm shift is necessary, that it will be good for us,
and that the government knows what is best for us. All
of the above institutions are being employed to
convince us that the creek's changing direction poses
no danger to us and to our republic.
An unpredictable adversary
Our friendly "creek," once providing a restful respite,
has become an unpredictable adversary. We are
uneasy, knowing that the unpredictability breeds
instability resulting in alienation, uncertainty and lack
of purpose. Fear breeds apathy, anger or angst; none
of these emotions are helpful in a republic that
requires its citizens to be alert and engaged in the
process in a lawful and respectful way.
Look below the surface
We must train ourselves to "look below the surface"
for the cause of the anomaly and do our best to fix it
within the parameters of our Constitution, our tried
and true existing paradigm.
In Him,
Judy Smith
State Director
Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P. O. Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org |