Democratic Trust
When I drove away from the family farm
to embrace my freshman year
at the University of Michigan
in Vietnam-era 1970,
I was planning on majoring in political science
which later turned into a double major
in communication theory
and positive neuro-psychology
Persuasion,
cognitive/affective bicameral
conserving/liberating bipolarizing dissonance,
and more resonantly trusted
positive therapeutic attitude change.
What I do recall from PoliSci 101:
The well-researched underlying root value
for any healthy,
safe,
resilient democratic polyculture
is not LeftBrain polypathic intelligence
and certainly not more RightBrain
election campaign persuasive beauty,
but profoundly inclusive TRUST
Which,
when I later worked in theology,
rediscovered in what religious traditions
monotheistically refer to as FAITH
and/or
polytheistically embrace as COMPASSION.
Trust also turned out to become
the primary underlying value
for resilient communication
and deeply resonant
mental/spiritual robust health
and neuro-systemic safety
Slow-growing increased capacity
for unconditional warm regard
of people
and our plants
and our cooperatively-managed planet
developing public health urban areas
and cultivating regenerative farms.
I find it disappointing
and tragic, then,
that our disuniting State schools
coach young democratic residents
in win/lose debate
but not win/win trusted
faithful
cooperatively-intended
nonviolent dialogue.
This may have a causal effect
negatively reproducing Patriarchal-Capitalist
competitive mistrust weak relationships
Further embedding runaway
vicious circle revenge
militarism
racism
homophobia
sexism
ableism
punishing
criminalizing
imprisoning
Othering justice systems
Lacking robust muscularity
to restore and reward
positive ego-
and eco-
and anthro-therapeutic Trust
through proactive teaching
and studying
and mentoring
and mediating
win/win dialogue skills
For pro-active
cooperative co-investments
emotional,
financial,
political,
ecological,
theological
Polypathically reinforcing
a great healthy
and safe EarthTribe
polycultural university
Universe for engaging
co-passionate trust
in integrity,
synergetic relationships,
honesty,
cooperatively therapeutic respect
Re-inspecting emergent Trust
through transparent
and vulnerable dialogue,
discernment
Intent to embrace healthy
and safe democratic communication
systems
Useful trust-building
for restoring cooperative farms
and urbane justice areas
we call
United humane States
of and for Trauma Prevention-
Peace Extension
Which was on my mind
and heart
when I drove away from the family farm
and my high school debate team
To embrace my freshperson
political trust science year
at the University of Michigan
in Vietnam-conflicted
mistrustful
militarized 1970.
Copyright © Gerald Dillenbeck | Year Posted 2022
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