Finding Encouragement In E Pluribus Unum
Clutched in the beak of the bald eagle on our nation's seal, contains a piece of parchment with the latin words, “E Pluribus Unum,” which when translated means out of many, we are one. We are indeed “many” but in these divided times, that “one” has never seemed more fragmented. However, within our singular narratives we share a destiny together that is bound by the words of e pluribus unum.
In the past few months, I’ve had a number of conversations with folks who have expressed intense feelings that range from incredulous to despair surrounding what is unfolding on the American political stage. The reality of this uncomfortable truth is a great burden that many of us face today. While, I too, am often miffed at what is transpiring before our eyes, I find encouragement in the extraordinarily daring examples of ordinary human beings exhibiting extraordinary behavior. It is in these stories that I find strength to mentally endure what is happening and what is on the horizon for us all.
One of my favorite stories from the Torah is found in the book of Exodus. On a hilltop, we find two siblings and their nephew waged in a strenuous physical exercise. Moses, Aaron, and their nephew Hur stand atop a hill where they are overlooking a battle taking place against their recurrent enemy, the Amalekites. With a bloody battle waging below, “as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” However, during the course of this battle Moses’ arms fatigued and when he could no longer hold up his hands is where "unum" quickly morphed into "pluribus." Witnessing his shoulders and arms fatigue, his nephew and brother rushed to his side. First, they find him stability and place him on rock then quickly went alongside of him to raise his arms when he no longer possessed the strength to hold up his own hands.
Whether you believe that scripture is divinely inspired or not, there is a rich lesson we can extract from this story that is applicable to us today. If you’ve ever raised your arms above your ears for a considerable amount of time you’d understand the amount of tension that begins to build in your muscles. Understanding that battles last for hours; I envision Moses - arms raised above his ears - hair wet from perspiration, the chest and back of his tunic drenched from sweat, his shoulder caps swollen from the tension, his arms visibly shaking, his teeth gritting together, while he is screaming from the agonizing pain as he has the awareness that he holds the lives of his countrymen in the output of his effort.
Many of us might see Moses as a leader, similar to our elected officials today. However, if we apply the story to our direct circle of influence today, we can be find encouragement in each character. There are times when we will need to lead but need support and there will be times when we see our leaders in need of support and run to their side. Nevertheless, we are bound together in this collective experience.
What I love about this story is that the protagonists in this story, take ordinary action. They simply see a member of their community in a strenuous situation, they locate stability for him, and then physically support him in their quest to better their community. Unlike other stories within the text, what transpired did not contain grandiose supernatural assistance. The red sea was not parted here; what took place was something that each of possess the ability to accomplish for one another.
What better vision for the bonds that we need to develop within our community to fortify the bands of encouragement for one another. While Moses was exhibiting a physical fatigue, many of us are watching this intense political battle rage on with a heavy burden on our emotional wellbeing. It’s often difficult for others to be aware of the internal turmoil that may be going on within. We don’t know if Moses screamed for help or not, but what we do know is that the other members in his community took ordinary action to help and support him. In short, Aaron and Hur displayed the type of character and action that we all need to be in our community. To put it more plainly, we all need to embody Rod’s actions from Get Out for one another. Who doesn't need or want to be a friend like that?
What I would encourage you to do today is within all of your communities and circles of influence, identify your Aaron and Hur while at the same time be Aaron and Hur for someone else. Together we can bind together to be the pillars of support that are securely grounded in the bedrock of camaraderie and good character to lift one another up. That can come in the form of just grabbing a drink to discuss things that are on our minds or finding a way to give back to our communities. Either way, we’ve gotta find healthy outlets within our communities to support each others wellbeing.
America has never been entirely defined by who sits behind the resolute desk at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Our singular narratives are stitched together with the thread of support and endurance that will reverberate through the ages to inspire all those that will come in the next generations. I understand that these issues seem to be endemic but as Dr. King once said, "we must engage in the fierce urgency of now," to take actions to support one another regardless of party affiliation. When we singularly come together, despite the chaos going on around us, is when we can all come together to live out the American ideal of “E Pluribus Unum.”