Reich's Cultural Parables

Reich's cultural parables are somewhat similar to Larsen's myths. Reich reminds us that anyone can become anything, that we tend to rise above and become better after a challenge, or that America is great and the American dream is alive and well. Reich's parables however, come with a warning that these 'blessings' can turn good men bad. Power can be abused, challenges can bring the ugly out in an individual or community, and perhaps America is not the great cultural beacon she claims to be.

In 2005, we witnessed some miraculous flooding here in St. George. I never thought I simply wouldn't be able to get home due to a flood in St. George one day. But, that is exactly what happened. We all know how serious the flooding was and the damage it caused. I along with many others was able to join in the clean up effort by filling and placing sand bags. My father owned a restaurant and decided to give free food to those aiding in the effort as well. I could go on and on about people who contributed time, money and resources as our community came together to help those in need. What many of us did not know however was what was going on behind the scenes in the planning and implementing of the clean up effort. St. George was declared a disaster area and was able to receive federal aid. But how were those decisions made? Who made them? For most of us, we were just happy to serve and knew something had to be done. When disaster strikes, you act. Simple as that. There comes a point however that these actions must have some direction and structure.

This Ted Talk speech was very interesting. Caitria and Morgan O'neill spoke of their experience as they aided in the clean up effort after a tornado hit their home town. They simply went to help but quickly noticed that there needed to be some of this structure and direction given. While no one would disagree that Americans come together in the face of adversity, the Oneill's noticed that these good and selfless individuals in their home town simply needed some direction and no one was there to give it. Tornadoes do not occur often in Massachusetts and it caught them off guard. Someone needed to take charge. As Caitria and Morgan took charge, they noticed that several things needed to change. Now these women try to implement these changes and share their knowledge with other victims of natural disasters.

Reich's cultural parable, The Benevolent Community states that when faced with something like a tragedy or disaster, America communities rally around one each other and give selfless aid. In the face of adversity, citizens band together to help those in need. Caitria and Morgan realized through their experience however that some things could be done better. For example, Do you remember what the last bit natural disaster was in the United States? How about the one before that? The Oneill's point out that in today's fast paced world of information and technology, something can become yesterday's news in an instant. After a disaster for example, even though the majority of Americans are generous in times of peril you only have so long to capitalize on the tragedy at hand. Once America has moved on to the next big story, it is often too late to receive financial aid. Often times, the community, or state is left with the bill and the clean up. (and as these women illustrated, if the man hours were not documented, the city or state loses out on funding). Americans are generous yes, but you often only have short window to capture that generosity.

I happen to believe in Reich's parable of The Benevolent Community. Through personal experiences such as the 2005 flood mentioned, I have witnessed first hand the coming together of a community in a time of tragedy or disaster. I also believe however that this benevolent spirit can be leveraged into much more following a model such as the one these women have proposed. The old adage, when the goin' gets tough, the tough get goin' is and will remain the basis of this theory. Nothing can or will ever take the place of self-sacrificing human being who helps others in the midst of a trial. If every community waited for the 'proper' way to help, or cut through red tape in order to get something done, disaster clean up efforts would fail. Caitria and Morgan simply used this mentality along with common sense, organization and technology to harness this benevolent power in order to better help those in their home town and I applaud them.

Several process premises could be employed by those on the outside looking in on a community in distress or by those witnessing hardship first hand. My mind automatically goes that of Maslow's need of safety. People need and want to feel safe. When that is threatened, they will go to great lengths to get back to the status quo. In smaller communities, Packard's compelling need of having a sense of our roots comes into play. No one wants to see something bad happen to their home town.
Perhaps the most poignant process premise in these situations and closely linked to our sense of our roots, is that of pride. When Americans take pride in themselves, in their community, state or country, it is a touching and inspiring thing to behold or join together in. What these two talented and educated women wish to do is simply harness that spirit, and fuel the fire of an already Benevolent Community phenomenon.