Creating the world we want

There is an Oscar Wilde quote I revisit often during my morning routine of reading and reflection. “Every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character.”

I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot during the federal occupation and terror campaign here in Minneapolis. Specifically, I’ve thought of it in context of how we got here as a nation and how we can get out of it.

Character is not something you either have or do not have. It is something you build or break down with every decision you make, every action you take and every word you say. Our national character is the same, but collectively. The world we inhabit is made by the choices we each make in our personal relationships, our work and our purchases.

A nation that is ripe for the authoritarianism we are seeing from the present administration was created by all the choices we’ve all made to prioritize convenience over effort, easy labels over true understanding, “politeness” over truth. Businesses that prioritize profit over people supercharge this by both catering to the authoritarians and leaving more citizens vulnerable to them.

Choosing to order something from Amazon instead of a small business is a step towards a less diverse economy and away from one that serves more people. Ordering delivery instead of going to a restaurant in person is a step toward isolation and away from community. Labeling someone as bad based on one data point is a step toward polarization and away from understanding. Ignoring a racist or sexist comment to avoid confrontation is a step toward a more prejudiced world and away from a more inclusive one.

I’m certainly not perfect in all of these points and I’m not expecting anyone else to be, either. But we all can surely reflect on our choices and be more intentional to ensure that they align with our values and help to shape the world we want to inhabit tomorrow. We can choose to support small businesses more, to engage in our communities more, to make an effort to understand people better and to confront prejudice in all its forms.

Businesses have many opportunities to make decisions that can help create a better world for all. Prioritizing people over profit where possible can create a more level playing field for everyone and an economy that is robust. Choosing partners who share values instead of going with the cheapest option reinforces those values in the larger economy. Obviously, a business needs to remain sustainable to survive, but the choices still matter and influence the character of our society.

Over the past couple of months, the world has witnessed, here in Minnesota, what creating a better world through small choices can look like. We’ve guarded schools where our kids don’t go. We’ve patrolled churches though we’re not religious ourselves. We’ve gathered to sing in the streets with neighbors to support other neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes, never even knowing the names of most of those neighbors. Local businesses have put the needs of the community front and center. Employees have taken time off to support the community.

In short, we’ve worked together to create the world we want to inhabit, one choice and one little action at a time.