Goodness, Willingness To Learn Still Exist In Society

To The Reader’s Forum:

I have had many friends contact me this weekend to check on my well being. because I work at Chautauqua Institution. They have been kind, but I notice all of them have ended their messages with comments on how unredeemable people and the world have become … that nowhere is safe anymore. What occurred Friday is very, very disheartening, I know. That said, I still know there is much more that is decent, connecting, and affirming happening in the world than not. The news plastered the terrible Rushdie incident at Chautauqua all over the world for one day, but they haven’t been reporting, day in and day out, the inspiring news of residents and international visitors gathering at Chautauqua to connect different human perspectives through talks on religion, spirituality, science, politics … and the incredible expression of many world cultures shown on grounds through art, music, and dance. All done in peace for over 148 years in this beautiful spot by Lake Chautauqua. And there are so many places doing this important work.

We have made moments of tragedy more “newsworthy” than all our human accomplishments, and so there is a skewed perspective of the world devolving to badness. I see extraordinary (and quite ordinary!) goodness happen all around us, and I still believe the depth of our kindness, willingness to learn and help each other instinctively are stronger parts of our nature than the darkness that we see momentarily take hold of one another. I know Chautauquans recognize this, and as they recover from the pain of what happened I have no doubt they will get back to the love and business of cross-cultural education and artistic expression. In fact, with precaution for safety, classes and lectures have already resumed … as if to say no one person can take away our pursuit of interpersonal connection.

Much peace,

Roman LoBianco

Ashville