Unity for the New Millennium
by Lisa Woerly

"Instant Karma's Gonna Get You" - John Lennon (October 9, 1940--December 8, 1980)

A millennium is defined not just as a thousand years but also as a time of happiness and of human perfection. We are weeks away from beginning the new millennium (contrary to some, I do not recall any proof put forth that the year Zero A.D. ever existed so let's just humor me and go along with this train of thought).

Are we any closer to unity or happiness within the human race? No.

Instead, we continue to divide ourselves into niches of society. We are all guilty of defining ourselves in a way that is best understood by society as a whole. When I am asked to describe myself, I invariably say that I am a white woman. From there I can say American, Catholic, tall, dark auburn hair, green eyes, postgraduate education, lover of animals, et cetera. Thus, humanity can find fifty different ways to compartmentalize ourselves.

Being seen as a separate and unique human being is the existential dream. But it removes us from the concept of unity in the long run. What truly unifies humanity is the fact that regardless of color or creed we all have red blood running through our veins. Inside our skin, we look identical. And yet we are collectively refusing to live on this earth under the premise of oneness. It seems easier to divide ourselves into the haves and the have-nots, the chosen ones and the not-chosen ones.

Once we have labeled ourselves we then begin tearing away at the very fabric of others who are different than we are or who believe different things than we do. Each person considers his position superior. Concession is seen as an act of weakness and will not be tolerated, let alone even considered. Ego overrules unity; neither side will allow compromise. Ultimately, the original reason for the dispute has nothing to do with what fuels the fire. It is power and the abuse of said power that fuels our divisive world.

Humanity's past actions of civil and religious wars create no-win situations. A definitive winner is logically impossible. The soul of a person is a powerful entity of love and positivity, but we have allowed our minds (ego) to rule our beliefs and behaviors. Men, women, and children are murdered in the name of religion every minute of every day, and yet when we delve into the recesses of the conflicts' true origins we find it isn't religion at all that spurns mayhem. It is ego and power.

The time has come to strive toward unity. Violence in the name of religious superiority must be reversed so that we can then actively choose to embody a collective spirit of positiveness and oneness. The current Israeli/Palestinian fighting will prove yet again that attitudes of superiority, rightful land ownership, and deity entitlement fester deep within our collective consciousness.

Ponder this: Group A erects a fence and declares that the land within the confines of the fence belong solely to Group A. Group B informs Group A that Group B has held religious rights to the land for thousands of years.  Group A refuses to give the land back to Group B. War breaks out between Group A and Group B. Many people die on both sides. Active fighting flairs up every so often. Sometimes Group A starts a new round of killing, sometimes Group B starts it. Generations are born and are laid to rest. Nothing is ever resolved, and yet both groups refuse to concede. Group A and Group B kill each other over dirt. Nothing more, nothing less. Just dirt.

I can joke around all I want to about the stupid things people do, but when it comes right down to it I want to see a world of peace and happiness. I think we can strive to achieve a more perfect world. It will take each and every one of us to stand up to the wrongs of racism and of groups claiming religious superiority before a change can occur. As a Catholic (lapsed at that) I am no better than a Muslim. As a white woman I am no better than a black woman. Jews are no better than Palestinians; Serbs are no better than Croatians.

It is time to begin living up to the definition of "millennium." ***

© 2000 Lisa Woerly