This is Us: a House Divided

Division weakens us as a people and country. Abraham Lincoln was not the first to say “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” Jesus said it first. You can read it if you like. The verse is found in the Bible, the book of Mark, Chapter 3 verse 25.

It is easy to divide people when there is no definitive common goal. It was not long ago that the United States committed to producing the best and the brightest individuals in the world. The nation invested in education, the arts, and library systems. We led the world in the development of technology. We were the first in so many areas. As a nation, we believed in the common goal of offering opportunity to those who desired it.

Many of us still have a common goal. We want to raise our families in a safe environment. We want to earn a decent living and secure a stable future for our children. We want our children to realize their potential. We also want them to have the opportunity to become productive citizens.

Our elected officials cannot bring us together. They benefit from division because that is how they stay in power. The power is in the hands of the people. We just need to talk to each other and start with our common goal. I think talking about the NBC drama This is Us is a place to start.

I have not spoken to anyone who does not like the television show This is Us. I hope that I never will. The characters, story lines, and emotions the show elicits are so relatable. I have had the most interesting and warm conversations with a variety of people who relate. These conversations have caused me to feel good. Yes, good to have a pleasant conversation about something other than which side of the proverbial aisle someone is defending today.

There is nothing simple about This is Us. It is as complex as a real person’s life. Perhaps that is the reason it resonates with real people. The writers have somehow captured the nuances of everyday life and thrown in the personal struggles that contribute to growth or stagnation.

Viewers are privy to:
William’s desire to die with dignity and make recompense for past mistakes.
Randall’s drive to be perfect in every way to prove his worthiness.
Kate’s struggle to love herself as she is.
Kevin’s need to feel important to the people who are important to him.
Rebecca’s resolve to affirm herself and be mom and wife at the same time.
Jack’s determination to have the loving, stable family he never had growing up.

This show demonstrates the real life of a family just trying to make it through life. The show makes us cry, laugh, and ponder our own plight. It causes us to recognize and acknowledge the similarities of our thoughts, beliefs and behaviors.

It illustrates a common thread that can bring us together to begin the conversation.

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