Recently, a friend moved to Germany, I am not sure why, but she was living in Scotland, originally from the American South, and somehow she ended up, by choice, in Germany. People can be so unpredictable. But, that is not what this is about, anyway. What this is about is hope, possibilities, and a chance for the future.
While still a child I remember reading, with horror, the eye witness accounts of the genocide in Cambodia. Today, we are inundated with reporting of the brutality of African warlords and their child armies. And, I have been taught enough history to know that this is not abnormal. Pick almost any era and there was more than enough savagery to go around. It was business as usual, the march of progress, those who could, did, without reservation, to those powerless to stop them. It seems that humankind is hell-bent on self-immolation, and all that is lacking is the means, and that is not really lacking, it is only limited, temporarily to the biggest of the lunatics in charge of the asylum. Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether* with nuclear weaponry.
What does this have to do with an American\Scottish expatriate living in Germany? Probably not too much, but, maybe it should.
She talks often about going places with her “friends.” When asked where she had made all of these friends in such a short time. she explained that mostly, they are from a German class she is taking. Her friends come from all over the world. And they get along famously, having fun, sharing, enjoying each other. They have barbecues and go to festivals, and since they are in Germany sometimes they have beer and bratwurst together.
Here is a group of individuals, from different parts of the world, whose only connection seems to be wanting to learn German, and, live in Germany (none of them probably moved there just to learn German). Somehow, they have formed the bonds of friendships, bonds of community and mutual respect. And, they seem to have fun together, and though they drift in and out of each others’ lives they are replaced by fresh, new faces, and still remembered fondly, and that seems amazing.
If it is possible for this microcosm of society to pull off such a feat of friendship why can’t the larger world, and those entrusted with its care? Why do we have to spend so much time thinking about, and emphasizing our differences? Why can’t we all “try to learn German together”?
Would that be too much to ask of the people in charge, “the suits running the store”? It has benefited my friend, and her friends, wouldn’t we all benefit from something like that? I know, it is silly to try to change the world, a single person can accomplish nothing. But, what if we start a movement, the “Life Explained Learning German Movement.”
Maybe that is where we should start, maybe language is the key. If we all try to learn together we can come to understand that there is not that much separating us. Maybe I’m a dreamer, a hopeless idealist, but we should try to think up something, (I’m open to suggestions) as the man said, “we can all sink, or we can all float because we’re all in the same big boat.”**
*”The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether.” Edgar Allen Poe
** “One World.” Written by Sting.
—
Originally published on Life, Explained
—
◊♦◊
Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:
Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.
Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:
- Get access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
- Join our Social Interest Groups—weekly calls about topics of interest in today’s world
- View the website with no ads
- Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
- Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
- Commenting badge.
Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.
If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.
◊♦◊
Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:
◊♦◊
Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:
◊♦◊
Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:
Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.
Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas.
While you’re at it, get connected with our social media:
- To join our Facebook Page, go here.
- To sign up for our email newsletter, go here.
- To follow The Good Men Project on Twitter, go here.
◊♦◊
However, you engage with The Good Men Project—you can help lead this conversation about the changing roles of men in the 21st century. Join us!
◊♦◊
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
—
Photo credit: Shutterstock ID 736268884