We
live in a culture that discourages empathy. A culture that too often
tells us our principle goal in life is to be rich, thin, young, famous,
safe, and entertained. – Barack Obama, speech, Jul. 12, 2006
A president concerned about how culture can discourage empathy seems to me to be someone who is interested in encouraging its return. Can the President-elect inspire an increase in the expression of empathy in our country? We'll see.
The last time I mentioned the name Barack Obama, one commenter wrote that I was wrong to even bring up this person. The Journal is about sacred work.
If there was ever a job that has the potential for sacred work it is the role of President of the United States, the most powerful leader in the world. What we all hope is that our new President will view his role in the same way we want caregivers to view theirs – with Love. Is our President the Caregiver-in-Chief of American culture?
Whether the hope Mr. Obama offers will be realized remains to be seen. But, what effect will his Presidency have on caregiving?
Our writing and our work is about the culture that is needed to promote loving care. It is obvious that the dream of loving care has yet to be realized in most hospitals and charities in the way that it needs to be.
Can political policies change culture? The answer, many believe, is "no." Can leadership change this? The answer is always yes. For good or ill, our Presidents affect American and, to some extent, world culture. Just ask the people of Iraq and Afghanistan if the American president has affected their lives.
Through both policies and style, Presidents create a tone that both reflects and affects our culture. Regardless of party, Presidents influence the attitudes of many Americans toward each other and toward foreigners.
When 19th century Presidents supported slavery or ignored it, they affected the attitude of many in the middle who weren't sure if the practice was right or wrong. When 20th century Presidents went along with demonizing Germans during World War I and both Germans and Japanese during World War II they influenced the way Americans thought about enemies and which ones supposedly needed to be hated. Many Americans today view Arabs in general and Muslims in particular with an irrational fear and suspicion. Where is the Love in this bias?
Abraham Lincoln was often reviled during his period of leadership. Yet, all historians agree that he was either the first or second (after Washington) best President in history.
Ronald Reagan, a Republican, generated a sense of hope in America when he was elected. Forty-eight years before Reagan was sworn in, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat, also ignited hope. His statement, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" rings as truth to us to this day.
Love is the only answer to fear. Both Reagan and Roosevelt helped to channel hope into the hearts of Americans. Obama has the chance to do the same IF he makes loving decisions and IF we are open to that kind of leadership.
On January 20, 2009, this man with the unlikely name (for Americans) of Barack Obama will be sworn in as our new President. Whether we voted for him or not, whether we like him or not, he will be our new President. What we all hope and pray for is that he will bring to all Americans a renewed sense of hope.
Hope is the child of Love. If President-elect Obama can awaken in all of us a deeper sense of Love, then his leadership will favorably affect caregiving coast-to-coast. If Americans harbor hatred and anger toward Mr. Obama, then he cannot help them. Hatred, always fear-driven, is the one force that blocks Love.
Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan opened the hearts of most Americans to Love. It is time for Americans to open their hearts to the new President. If they do, Love will flourish and caregiving will be enhanced. How can we live Love, not fear, as we face the new American administration?
Do you think our new President will influence the climate of Love in caregiving? How?
-Erie Chapman
Journal of Sacred Work 
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