Cynicism is a kind of disease. Maybe it begins with a doubt that anything that appears to be good will make any difference. Or that this good person or situation must be inherently corrupt, and that it’s just a matter of time before their real nature shows itself. It is a belief that no one holds to his or her integrity in the presence of power or wealth.
Cynicism assumes that we will always be disappointed if we place our faith in others. In the world view of a cynic, idealism, even hard-eyed, realistic idealism, the art of what is possible, is merely the occupation of fools. In this present moment, cynicism seems like the surest way to measure most parts (all parts) of public life.
After November 5, I felt its attraction. It felt like a kind of dark happiness to give in to it for a day or two. “Ah yes, I thought, it’s all futile, it’s all f*****. Nothing can be done. Now they’ll see what’s going to happen.” Cynicism takes its greatest delight in schadenfreude.
But either because of my mother’s long reach into my nature or the many years of watching young men and women go off into the world resolutely unpoisoned, I cannot embrace it.
So to begin this year, I put together a woefully incomplete list of people who are doing genuine good with their lives. For me, these individuals’ actions and character and deeds are worthy of respect and capable of inspiration.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut for his consistent efforts to honor the children who were murdered at Sandy Hook by working tirelessly to pass gun laws; Rep. Jaime Raskin of Maryland and Liz Cheney for their efforts on the January 6 Committee and for their refusal to be cowed by the worst people in power; Bryan Stevenson for everything he continues to do in Alabama to advance the cause of racial justice, and especially for his creation of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice; Vladimir Kara Murza and Alexei Navalny (even though he has passed), for their great courage in resisting Putin; Rocky Kanaka, who has dedicated his life to tending to and often saving dogs who have been abandoned or damaged by other human beings; Anne Applebaum and Timothy Snyder, for their necessary books on tyranny and its actions, both now and in the past.
My good friend has just visited the Texas-Mexico border and spent time observing the humanitarian efforts of the Mennonites and Catholic Charities in trying to alleviate the suffering of migrants who are often trapped in terrible circumstances.
I think of all those who operate and work in no-kill animal shelters. I think of teachers and nurses and firemen and women and of so many good police officers who are called upon by a fractured polis to take on the tasks of social workers in addition to their normal duties. I think of all those, a tiny percentage of the American population, who give up years of their civilian lives to serve in the Armed Forces.
I think of the many normal school board members and state and local representatives who, in the face of fanatical attacks, continue to try to make schools and local municipalities and states better places to learn and live.
Cynicism has nothing of value to say in reaction to those people because cynicism cannot explain sacrifice.
Difficult years are coming for everyone, but there are so many who are worthy of support and respect. Think of who you would choose for your own list. The bottom line has to be this, eloquently framed by Robert Jordan in For Whom the Bell Tolls when he said, “The world is a fine place and worth fighting for ….”
