About to Explode
“One person can’t feel all that at once, they’d explode.” – Ron Weasley from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
That is how I currently feel, about to explode. Right now, I’m angry, ashamed, sad, deflated, lost, hopeful, searching, lonely, optimistic, and scared. What makes it more difficult is that I am unable to reach out to friends and family to talk and hug it out.
It was bad enough when the lockdowns began. The initial shock of having to stay at home took some getting used to. Then, the stark reality became clear that we had to go about the sad task of cancelling several events in accordance with local mandates in order to protect the health of our members. I know some people have completely withdrawn from everything in their lives because they aren’t sure what to do or how to react, literally becoming hermits. Others have made the most of this time to improve their situation, health, exercise, spending time online with friends and family. Not everyone has the strength to push forward and there are people who could use a little help from those who have discovered that strength.
Then the death of George Floyd happened, which so far has sparked nine days of protests, as of this writing. It is an additional strain on our lives and our nation at a time when we were already mired in the epidemic and resulting economic calamity.
If I am feeling this way, how many others are going through the same process? My goal in writing to the members has always been to share positive and uplifting ideas of how we can make Mensa better. Circumstances as they are, I cannot ignore what is happening in the world and sing a happy tune. I cannot assure you that things will get better without actually doing something.
One thing I can do is remind everyone that Mensa is a society based on IQ. We have a specific policy that states that Bigotry and Prejudice are antithetical to the nature of American Mensa, Ltd. While I am glad that we’ve had that policy since 1986, I’m sad that we had to say it at all. It also brings to light that while we can have a policy, if we don’t enforce it or point to it when we see a problem, then we are just as culpable, if not more so, as those who violate that policy.
Racism, bigotry, sexism, and the like, have no place in Mensa. We should be an open and accepting round table of intelligent people, all equals. Tolerance and silence are often inferred as acceptance or even encouragement of these divisive traits. We, as an organization, are done with tolerance and silence. This applies to our members, our volunteers, and our staff. We can do better. Help us facilitate the changes in our organization that we would like to see in our society. Changing the world starts with a small step, a word, an action. Let’s start with our own small world and be a good example.
Please let me know your suggestions for creating a more tolerant and welcoming Mensa. Also, if you have had any problems, please tell me. We will get through this together. As always, I’m listening.