You know, and I know too, that contemporary American professional life spills over with slogans, catchphrases, and ideas in flashy guise. Many of these phrases, like inspirational sayings on cards, or on motivational posters, have value. It’s hard to argue that they’re not true, sometimes, somewhere.
I don’t begrudge these sayings their place in ordinary times. I find them both puzzling and ineffective in our times, in Whitewater today. I have teased about the use of these motivational quotations in the past. I believe that they just don’t ring true to our current circumstances. It’s not that I lack for humor or inspiration: it’s that I have, and will, look elsewhere.
People ask for politeness, and criticize commentary that they consider ‘too critical,’ but I am not persuaded that these are more than attempts to prevent or weaken a serious critique.
Whitewater is not a tea party; it’s a city in need of reform. Starting from that premise, calls from champions of the status quo for others to speak softly look like calls for others to disarm unilaterally. It may be couched as helpful advice, but I have my doubts. When bears ask salmon to swim slowly, on the premise that swimming slowly is more refined, one has reason to doubt the sincerity of their request.
I’ll not be following any particular Confucian guidance, for example, anytime soon. There’s more than one reason for rejecting inspiration from that quarter. I’ve strong reason to doubt that Confucian principles lead to a liberty-loving society. I’ve also reason to doubt that Confucian thinking is – ultimately — compatible with Church teaching (unpersuasive efforts of a few theologians to reconcile the two notwithstanding).
The inspiration and tradition most useful for our city and its reform will be found among the rich intellectual heritage of this continent, and its antecedents. It’s condescending to think think that we’re in need or use of guidance through sundry quotations.