Call to Unite

"Call to Unite": unity, compassion and hope in a time of pandemic

POSTED MAY 3, 2020

In Albert Camus's novel The Plague,  the story's narrator, Dr. Bernard Rieux, declares his purpose in telling the story: to state "what we learn in time of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise.”  The novel is one of human goodness in the face of tragedy and an implacable opponent.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to watch some of the twenty-four-hour "Call To Unite" live streaming event organized by Tim Shriver, an American disability rights activist, film producer and educator.   Featuring thinkers, faith leaders, celebrities, volunteers, organizers, survivors, meditation practitioners, poets, educators, students, entertainers and many others,  the numerous segments made and re-enforced Camus's point.  It was a marvelous outpouring of love from people all over the world.  In his introduction to one segment, Shriver expands on the thinking behind the broadcast.  His hope is that it will give people the opportunity to help defeat not only the pandemic but also the despair, division, inequality and injustice in our world; that we come out of the pandemic with a will to create a 'world of justice and joy.'

The overarching theme of "Call to Unite" is the essential unity of all mankind.  As many of the participants mentioned, it is clear that we are all in this together (albeit to very different extents), that what affects one affects all,   From this understanding, empathy and compassion flow.  The incredible suffering that the pandemic has brought should make us feel a unity with all of our brothers and sisters around the world.   One participant recited the words of Persian poet Sa'adi Shirazi that grace the entrance way to the United Nations:

"The Children of Adam"

All of the sons of Adam are part of one single body

They are of the same essence.  

When time afflicts us with pain in one part of that body, 

All the other parts feel it too. 

If you fail to  feel the pain of others, 

You do not deserve the name of Man. 

Another theme running through the broadcast is that we can banish fear and have faith that we will get through this.  Much in the spirit of "We Shall Overcome," the anthem of the civil rights movement, speakers described what was getting them through the pandemic - from their faith in God to meditation and centering practices to ways to relieve boredom in this time of isolation - the last from a tween who shared her list of eight ideas with the international audience .  

The social isolation that many are feeling now is a fact of life for many people and will continue to be so after the pandemic.  In a small way, this will be a test of our ability to change as a result of our current trials.  Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne relates how important a wave of the hand, a smile, a nod of the head can be and how "sports, food, and music" can bring people together.

There were many other themes and sub-themes, too many to do justice to in a single post - or even a dozen posts.  One theme discussed by a number of the speakers, including physicist Alan Lightman was the need to slow down, to focus on our inner life and values, on what is important to us, on who we are as individuals and who we are as a society.

In my far from complete listening, I found several other thought-provoking speakers - among them Krista Tippett (The On Being Project), Darius Baxter (GOOD Projects), and Jack Kornfield (a mindfulness exercise focused on compassion).  The performance of the Young People's Chorus of New York City is not to be missed.  You can find the videos from the program here (you'll need to search by name or theme) and a way to donate or volunteer here.  

The COVID pandemic has caused untold suffering and disrupted countless lives.  It has changed our thinking - for example, as to who are the truly essential workers. And it has made us reflect on what is most important in our lives.  The pandemic will end.   Will it create a permanent change in the way we see our world, or will we quickly return to our old ways and thought patterns? 

Related post: Albert Camus's The Plague 3/25/2020

Below: link to a Washington Post article on "The Plague"