What’s the Matter with Arizona?

In1896, Kansas newspaper editor William Allen White (after whom, the greatest journalism school in all the land was named—Go KU!) wrote an editorial in a fit of anger. Politics and the views of the new Populist movement apparently had him on edge and he took out his pen and shared his frustration. Now I don’t pretend to know the history of the time, but I do know that cathartic bit of journalism became the legendary editorial What’s the Matter With Kansas .

Well today, I find myself highly frustrated with the politics and the emotional tide washing over the state of Arizona. Our state’s primaries were held yesterday. I started to share with you all the specifics of my discord, but my concern stems less from personal political views and more with my fear of the state of fear.

Perhaps it’s because I’m reading Stones from the River , which provides great insight into the German mindset that nurtured Hitler’s rise to power. I see striking similarities between the Germans of that time and the Arizonans of my time.

Arizona is hot. The summers here drive everyone inside as winters do elsewhere.  By late August, the heat and humidity of monsoon season start to wear on people…and we get cranky.
Arizona is a border state. The battle over immigration—legal and illegal—is waged right here, every day.
Arizona is a state of extremes both climatically—you can require a parka in Flagstaff yet drive two hours to Phoenix where you can sit by the pool—and politically.
Arizona’s economy and housing crisis are among the worst in the nation.
Arizona ranks 49th in per pupil spending.
Arizona’s largest city, Phoenix, is the poster child for Subdivided . We have a wall mentality. Walls are everywhere…around and through every subdivision. And those walls represent not only poor urban design, but that which I believe is at the heart of all that is wrong with Arizona…fear.

Fear is at ease with its sibling, hate. And hate is fueled by intolerance. And intolerance is the byproduct of commiserating among those who are frustrated and need a political party, a person or an ethnic group to blame.

And what is strong enough to conquer fear? Love. Only love.

Not too long ago, I was challenged “as a Christian” to “understand how dangerous the ‘situation’ is in Arizona,” and how important it was at least to “make them all speak English!”

Some of you know that, while I regret it a bit, that was the day my pleasant face came off.

My response was to remind the challenger, “You do know Jesus didn’t speak English…right?!” and to explain that, as a Christian, I feel most compelled to simply follow the great commandment—Love One Another (Mark 12: 28-34). It was also Jesus’ last commandment to his disciples at the Last Supper as if to say…if you didn’t hearanything else, please understand this: Love one another as I have lovedyou…By this all men will know you are my disciples (John 13: 34 and35)

In the Torah, it’s Leviticus 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

in the Koran it is 60:7* It may be that Allah will bring about (love) friendship between you and thosewhom you hold to be your enemies among them; and Allah is Powerful; andAllah is Forgiving, Merciful.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama from The Little Book of Buddhism If there is love, there is hope that onemay have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, realpeace. If the love within your mind is lost and you see other beingsas enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education or materialcomfort you have, only suffering and confusion will ensue.

Maybe the problem isn’t just in Arizona. But the answer seems to be universal. Well…maybe it’s not the answer, but it is the only mindset in which understanding can take form. And in a climate of understanding, answers to our issues, our worries and our true fears can all take root.

Here’s to love that leads to understanding; understanding that leads to goodness and our commitment to help it grow.

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