What to do when it feels like society has gone all wrong
29 Jun 2016 | Sanderson Jones
The UK has voted to leave the European Union. So what
should you do when it feels like your economy, politics and society
blow up overnight?
This is where my role leading Sunday
Assembly (the world's most awesome pop song powered community
building charity) comes up against my stand up comedian
instincts.
See, a part of me mostly wants to make sarcastic semi-jokes from
the sideline while the world burns around me. But the other part is
more genuine, super earnest and loads more positive about the
future (while still being a little terrified).
So, instead of retweeting GIFs, being snarky and scared here are
some suggestions of things you can do to make things a lot
better.
- Smile at someone in the street. They probably
want to know they're in a world of love and kindness.
- Don't hate people who have different opinions.
They're just humans who want the best in a complicated world.
- Create connections outside of your tribe.
Tribalism enflamed the passions we're feeling now.
- Hearing people that agree with you is great but more important
to listen to those that don't.
- Remainers, if you're feeling pain after the
vote, remember this is the pain that many of the Leavers felt
before.
- Leavers, the result has shocked a lot of
Remainers, don't kick them when they're down (and out).
- If there's going to be a 'culture war' it is better to
find peaceful solutions than to take up arms.
- Be grateful: you live in one of the richest,
most peaceful, most advanced countries the world has ever
known.
- Be positive: we got through two World Wars,
the Suez Crisis and losing Eurovision. We will get through this
too.
- Sure, get politically active but you can be
apolitically active too. The new knitting group can be
more powerful than the sword.
- Find spaces where you can be with difference, live with
difference and listen to difference without
judging. #JudgyMcJudgeFace
- In every borough, county and street in the country there are
people who disagreed with you. Make their world better
however you can.
- Come up with a new cultural, social and economic
vision for Britain that everyone can get behind (this last
one's a biggie).
One comfort that all the staff at Sunday Assembly have had
in this confusing time is this: our movement is dedicated to
creating a world where everyone lives life as fully as possible. A
world where hate filled times like this do not happen. We are here
to connect and unite people, and we love that there are so many
people who want to do that too.
Sanderson Jones is CEO of Sunday
Assembly, a global movement of people that celebrate
life.
They host inspirational gatherings that create communities and
change lives. If you want to build community, or want an
inspirational pop song powered performance at your event email jasmine@sundayassembly.com