The Cultural Framework (Within An Individual Context)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CULTURAL FRAMEWORK

(Within an Individual Context) 

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (on a personal level)

I Know you have heard these things before:  "Watch out for the crowd you mob with."   "Some of your friends will lead you into dead endz."  "Your worst enemy can be your best friend, and your best friend can be your worst enemy."  "The richest man is the one with the most influential friends."  True indeed, man is a social creature, and of that there can be no doubt--yet with inside man can be the worst thoughts masquerading as benevolence.  One has to learn the politics of the soul, as well as the company one keeps, and not sleep on the demons which mob within us as a people--that rob us from the potential of success which lies within organizing like minds.

Within the Cultural Framework, performing things like this above is known as Political Organization. Political or politics are described as policy or policy-making; which is a plan or course of action, intended to influence and determine decisions as well other matters.  Right here and now, I know you can appreciate that this is an aspect of governing oneself and arranging people around you.  When I say governing, you are probably thinking a western type of government.  Little do you realize, when you first started attending school, you were submerged into a group of little people who were not your family,so right then the political game was on.  If you were like me, you may have just wanted to do your own thing... But there was twenty-nine other souls, who wanted to do their own thing too.    The problem with that is, some areas overlap with others, in other areas--they conflict.  Within any arena of life amongst creatures--whether mineral, vegetable, animal or human kingdoms-- it's all about survival:  Whether it's literal survival, or survival in a way of thinking.  Now, we know the teacher was there to oversee the overall operation, but she can't see everything...  And neither will the warden in that case...    So a lot of the time, you have to handle your own business on your own--carve out your own space and find similar thinkers for support.  You may have had a few classmates that came up to you, introduced themselves--maybe even shook your hand.  Then you had others, who just looked you up and down...  In those situations, you have your loud mouths, as well your silver-tongued speakers--who dominate the floor with their filibustering.  You have young negotiators--right along with your class bullies--even some young men with military might.  You might even have your disturbed types--in need of special attention.  And then, you have your politicians--skilled in the art of diplomacy.

If your ego or personality is ever going to last in the social arena--you would have to learn the art of politics--and even as a young child, you sort of knew this intuitively.  That is, you began to know  who's who, how to work your way around those who meant you no good and those who just don't fit into your plans.  I mean, the bully is the easiest one to discover--that's why he (or she) spends so much time in the corner or in detention.  But then there's always what happens after school...  You can't keep running away or avoiding confrontation--eventually you have to face the opposition.  Otherwise, a personality like yours, would never get proper respect.  There are always  going to be different types within a classroom:  Some who are quiet, some who are easily intimidated, and then-- those who could talk their way out of anything: Those who could negotiate with the fiercest of them:  He or she wasn't the strongest--nor was he the one with the biggest  army--but these types could sum up or assess the situation.  They are the ones with the strategy or the plan--that plan is called diplomacy.

Politics includes policy, which are the plans or course of action that belong to a person,  which are intended to influence and determine their decisions.  Politics sort of represents where a person is coming from, what is governing that particular shrewdness of a person.   It is this sort of policy of a person, that governs their forethought and careful management of all their affairs.  Politics is their way of looking at and handling the world.  The politics  of a person governs their wisdom:  Politics is what governs what a person takes heed to (and not take heed to) and what determines how a oerson distinguishes things in life. Diplomacy is the art of tact when dealing with the distinctions between people and their politics.  It is the ability to do and/or say the right or appropriate thing--as well as how to win one over.  In order to do that, you have to be good at assessing a person's values from  their words, ways, and actions.  So being a good judge of character is key here.

Not everyone reasons the same or thinks the same, so the logic will change from person to person.  One's personal reasons for doing something can be distinctly different from the next person-- who's essentially doing the same thing:  A man may steal because he is hungry, then another may steal for the challenge which comes along with stealing--and yet another may steal because he doesn't believe he can obtain it on his own or by any other means.  This means all of them have done the same thing, but for different reasons.  Each of these people must be approached, or reasoned with--in a different manner.   One's temperaments or demeanor has a lot to do with how one reasons these things through--disposition and feelings also play a major role.   One has to know how to quiet down their personality and keep an open mind to new ideas coming through when figuring things out.  It is like playing chess: In order to be any good at it, you have to figure things out by observing your own politics--in conjunction your opponent's reasoning through deduction.  Similarly, when you are out in the world, you should be familiar with the policies of the people you hang around with; particularly, since you know that politics are intended to influence and determine directions...

Political Organization on a personal level then, is gathering people around you according to their sphere of influence and reference, in relationship to your own.  If you want to get anywhere in this world, you must have the right types of influences around you-- this means the right types of people are the people with similar interests and kindred abilities.  Since we all know we influence on another--it's up to you to deduce whether or not this or that person's influence within your life will be constructive or destructive.  You have to network, in the proper way, to keep the right kinds of thoughts flowing through your social atmosphere.  Thoughts that will help you, and others around you grow.  Think tanks and such.  This sort of process requires the careful scrutiny of the people with which you form your associations--acquaintances and your intimate bonds.  If you were building a home for yourself--no doubt--you would hire the best craftsmen and women of the construction trade that you were aware of.  The same goes with deciding who will be around you according to your--and their politics.

 It is very important that you understand the politics of those around you-- since policy controls so much of their life, their decision making and subsequently how you may appear associating with such people.   It is not such a simple solution to your difficulty as to label people good or evil--group conscious or ego-centered--party member or an acquaintance and think you have the subject covered.  You really need to know the company you keep.  You must realize the psyche of a person is a complex matter:  First of all, what you call a person is a multi-faceted being--possessing many faces and perspectives, manifesting different levels of development for each--each reflecting either  parental, adult, or childish phases of each said quality.   For example, A  person may be deluded about certain deeds and believes himself/ herself to be in the right on a subject-- actually believing they wish you well and that they mean you no harm--when in fact their acts might be quite detrimental to you.  Just think about the people who smoke cigarettes or do drugs--saying they are not hurting anybody but themselves.  Well, that's not if they have people who love them and/ or depend on them;  Not if they have family or people who they effect daily, by virtue of their existence.  Yet despite this, you cannot convince these people that there's a flaw in their thinking.  It is very often that their protracted thinking only lets them see aspects of themselves...  So, are they faking that they are right--or are they confident they are when in fact they really aren't?  You see what I mean?  You can't simplify your method--it must be thorough and it must be an on-going process.  Knowing the politics around you,  allows you to understand their logical progressions and also helps you to see the overall view of everyone involved.

LOGICAL, REASONABLE & PRACTICAL THINKING

Logic and reasoning are not the same thing.  Logic is the progressive of a train of thought which leads to a destination.  Logic is the thoughts which fuels the train to get to the station.  Logic does not include areas of morality or the validity of the deed, it includes a sequence of actions that fit the functionality for a particular train of thought and that's it:  A thief may be logical in how he executes of his trade, but on the other hand, his trade may not be considered very rational.  Rationale is what reasoning is all about!  It connects the lower spheres of logic (induction, deduction and inference/ or memory) with the higher spheres of morals, justice and jurisprudence, purpose, truth or knowledge, wisdom and understanding.  Reasoning integrates all these--including logic.

A woman may have sex and get this man to do work on her house and never consider her acts to be a form of prostitution, which maybe simply due to  a malfunction between her upbringing, logic, and reasoning.  This type of phenomena can easily become the work of psychologists--taking years to unravel...  This is not our job. So, let me state for the record: "I am not Bob Newhart (a comedy show where Bob Newhart played an analyst for several corky personalities)!"  In other words, One only learns what one teaches self.  To be educated, you must be educable; that is, you must be receptive and willing to adapt and change--a.k.a., will to become better.  I have learned in life, not to go searching for things in others that does not exist yet, but still pursued by the assistant--literally because the assistant wanted to help bring it out.  God helps those who help themselves!  Nowadays, I just learned to follow the logical sequence of the progressions of others and access where they are going first--l leave the rescue unit for another day and another possible episode--with another person.  I don't volunteer information (any more)--the best you can get out of me, is the dropping of a jewel or two.   I now realize that many people do not really want to change and you are violating their right to choose, if you force them to.  Every person has the right to decide their own destiny and determine where the places their ideas will take them:  It's not cool, even when it might be irrational like: Wanting a champagne diet on a beer budget, you have to let people live their theories out in order to gain their understanding.  Now--you know and I know that--that's not going to happen in this situation--and you staying in a situation, waiting for an opportunity to help--is like chasing waterfalls.  Some times, knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing you can ever know. 

Now on the other hand, finding "Like Minds" within this Western environment, is very, very important. This alone can give you a place where you can blossom and bloom.  Having similar ideas and similar personalities allow you and others to be comfortable within an environment where all can understand themselves and share in the process.  This is a place where you can be nourished and your ideas can be taken care of.  As they say, "Two Heads are Better than One"--so is a group of empathetic minds.  A lot of similar thinking can ensure you get the job done, if everyone pulls together as a team.  And that last point, is why you must scrutinize who you letting into your group; who you are forming relationships with.  For example, usually artists and non-artists are a bad blend.  The non-artist is not familiar with the demands the art/ craft puts on an individual, nor does the non-artist recognize (that for the artist) art comes first:  While an artist is working on their craft, other things in their lives become terribly clearer.  Take that art away and many artists become frustrated and disoriented.   They loose their ability to let off "steam" by doing something creative.  Relationships are constructive for building an understanding, while having nothing in common increases the difficulty for building comradery.

Think Tanks and Consortiums (associations or combination of businesses) are great for getting services  and other types businesses started--that is, if you can weed out the Narcissists and the Opportunists.  Within these vehicles, you have people who will be there to help one another achieve, so that they whole organization can grown; and this is why they lend support.  Now everything has its opposites and unfortunately--opposites attract.   So, if you are the organizer, the bulk of your work consists of weeding out the Riff-Raff, so that your organization can last and mature.  Success will ultimately come from people of the same advocacy...  It also doesn't hurt to get a lawyer or two join the organization-- so you ascertain the legal ramifications of your possible endeavors...

If you have to convince someone of something, then they are not originally about it, nor are they certain--so you are creating their interest--the best they can be is company, since they are someone you are bringing onto the scene as an associate.  They are not your companion, they are students in the quest of your politics but they are not scientists (devoted to knowledge).  Policies and politics are what help to form lasting bonds--these sort of ideas mean you care about the same things and/or hinge your thinking upon the same or similar points of view.   I don't know how many of you peeped it, but for me--it was a painful thing to watch Nelson and Winnie Mandela (of South Africa) grow apart.  Here were two people who loved each other, cared deeply about their own people, and the future of their nation-- yet distance (a.k.a. Nelson's incarceration) forged a different type of thinking about how to go about gaining liberation from South Afrikaner's politics--and the difference between the two became irreconcilable in the end.  If you have been away from someone for any length of time--even months--you need to re-acquaint yourselves with each other's politics and policies,  because neither one of you are the same as when you left each other.  Your politics have changed.

On a larger scale, political organization is an important step of civilization.  It organizes people according to policy and structures which influence, all for the betterment of the group.  It allows people to nurture, grow and develop ideas, which strengthen the mind and build confidence within members.  In turn, laws and social structures are evolved through such groups to maintain its' interests and secure itself as an entity.  Most people do not think to much of it, but in order to vote, you must declare yourself a member of the Democratic, Republican, or Independent party; which is a way of determining your affiliation and orientation.

On the other hand, townhouse meetings and candidate's debates are very important (for those who know the game), to pick the candidate they will vote for.  This becomes important because, it is here where a person can fire strategic questions, to figure out the candidate's political agenda.  It is here, where the audience get to ask candidates, what their particular policies are, or ideas concerning  certain issues--to determine which candidate's policy and ideology is similar enough to serve their interests as the people.  This is very wise.  After all, there will be laws and ordinates passed in behalf of this official--ones that may monumentally affect their lives.  When the president of the United States ran for office, he was asked what his policies were on abortion, and civil partnerships (same sex marriage), financial recovery from the recession, etc., so the voter could see his affiliations and whether or not his politics supported theirs.   So, as you can see, knowing your partner's policies is all so very important--even in man/ woman relationships!  After all, your mate can make or break your marriage--as well as potentially ruin your life.   

Ironically, I've noticed that Black attendance to such things as townhouse meetings and candidate's debates are very low.  If we are ever going to get anywhere in this White man's world, we need to know the policy of those who we put in charge within our areas of jurisdiction.  Some of us live in a district and not know who our ward leaders are, nor state representatives.  Yet these are the same people who put policies into action that influence our lives and our home environment.   I don't get it!   As long as we are in this environment, we need to be a little more pro-active.  After all, it is our lives we are fighting for!  We have to find people who believe in our types of ideas and will protect our self interests.  Equity and cooperation means everything, for us to get things going.  Arranging connections according to similarities in policy and ideology is what political organization is all about!  Social means to advocate a society for one common cause.  These societies determine group policy which leads to governmental structures.   This is how clubs, orders, and organizations get started--  these things are necessary for cultural development and political power within mainstream society. 

 

NEXT: MORAL TRADITIONS AND THE ARTS AS THEY RELATE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY.

Peace and Blessings Family, 

C. Be'erla Hai-roi Myers 



Above: Artwork by C. Be'erla Hai-roi Myers