Erasing the “Other”

View From Our Fire Camp

It is always a profound experience to return from the world of Wildfire to my life at home. Weeks of sixteen-hour days focused on an operational objective are replaced with respite, loving care and the stark reality of returning to my social networks.

The combined herculean effort to tame a force of nature in the name of saving lives, homes and our natural environment leaves me grateful for my small roll in disaster response. For weeks I have engaged in unity of purpose with people of diverse racial, political, socio economic and spiritual backgrounds.  In our “unity of purpose” we are able to set aside our differences, learn about the strengths, integrity and work ethics of the collective group and function as a single effective force.

Generally, the wildfire service is made up of predominantly conservative individuals. My interaction with these individuals has nurtured a deep respect for their worldview. No, I don’t agree with many of their views, yet, I see divinity in their beliefs, actions and ability to make a difference in the world.

Feeling like I have been transported into an alternate universe, suddenly, I have returned to engagement with my progressive, Pagan and generally liberal community. This is my home community where I share a worldview that reflects my understanding of humanity, divinity and social justice.  It is also a world where opposition to divergent ideas is fierce, protests take place and strong emotions and statements reflect the dialectic that has emerged in our national discourse.

Secretly, I embrace the idea that there is another way; that it is in engagement in areas where we can find common cause that offers the best chance for humanity to move forward. I have worked with my political, religious and social opponents and seen the Goddess in their actions.

Our communication has devolved to such a point that those who disagree are painted as "the other", outside of reasonable discourse. Just maybe, instead of retreating into our respective comfort zones the answer lies in diving into the great pool of humanity, setting aside for a time our differences and accomplishing things beyond the capability of our individual communities.

Today I will seek to open my mind and heart to those with whom I have broad disagreement, live the lessons I have learned in disaster response and believe that we can ALL work together for a better world, even if our visions of what that world is are divergent.

In everything and everyone divinity is manifest, my task is to open my mind to this insight.