If we follow current national trends, we could easily be swept into a cycle of hatred and division. Alternatively, we can make a conscious choice to “stand in the gap” by unifying through love, kindness, and grace—virtues that begin with our words and are made evident through our actions. Speaking of words, consider the simple dad joke: What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
I can almost hear the resounding sigh or courtesy chuckle that inevitably follows these corny, punny jokes. Pun intended. Whether you love them or hate them, they rely on a straightforward approach and a complete lack of subtlety; it is always easy to “pick up what the dad is laying down” when it comes to the punchline. In a way, this generation is facing a world that is just as blatant, but instead of laughter and unity we see division and abrasiveness. Subtlety has vanished from our public discourse, and everything is now front, center, and quite candidly in your face, regardless of who is right or who is wrong. In an era where tact has been lost and every voice is amplified despite the damage it may cause, we have become defensive, unforgiving and on the attack.
However, just as a simple joke can elicit a common, unified response, we as a nation must determine if we are willing to unite around the theme of treating others with respect, regardless of our differences. This doesn’t mean we will always agree, but our instinct for contention must transform into acts of kindness and the wisdom to “turn the other cheek.” Our strength as a nation lies in our unity and our weakness by our divisions. As a “dad” joke enthusiast would say, we need to be more like birds that stick together…..the vel-crows.
