Heather D. Heyer

The events of Saturday August 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia were tragic, sickening, and repulsive. To see neo-Nazis defile the Grounds of my alma mater on Friday was painful enough but to see murder on the downtown mall was appalling.

The next evening, my wife and I attended what we heard would be a candlelight vigil at a downtown park in honor of Heather D. Heyer. We found instead what felt like a political rally attended by the Democratic Socialists (carrying red flags), the International Workers of the World (wearing red T-shirts), Anarchists (carrying black flags), and other groups I didn't identify. There may have been 300 to 500 people milling about - many, like us, unaffiliated and waiting for the vigil to start. The news media was filming and police were monitoring as the organizers wearing red bandanas commenced to give speeches. It didn't feel like a relaxing or inviting environment. I was wary and uncomfortable as I scanned the crowd and assessed the location of traffic barricades. We listened to some of the speeches, but I heard more vehemence aimed at the white supremacy surge than reverence over Ms. Heyer's passing. Candles were eventually lit but we left feeling that the point of the event had been missed. I thought they should have been speaking about Ms. Heyer and had I the presence of mind to step up, maybe this is what I would have said:

We should be talking about Heather D. Heyer. A woman who was standing up against evil: someone’s daughter, someone’s friend and coworker, someone who is gone from this place forever because of a violent act of intolerance. She, like you and I had every right to peacefully speak out, act out, and express herself in these United States of America without fear of physical harm.

            Heather’s fate could easily have been yours or mine in a world where acts of meanness, bullying, aggression, and physical violence have replaced compassion, cooperation, discourse, and peace.

            Rather than marching down the mindless path of aggression that leads to physical violence against individuals and harm to our entire society, members of society must follow the thoughtful and time-honored path of discourse and debate. Yes, it is easier to lash out individually and be destructive than it is to work collaboratively, make concessions, and be constructive. But easier isn't always better. Unfortunately, our Chief Executive either never learned or has forsaken his kindergarten lessons in cooperation and continues to set the worst possible example for others who like him are mired in the misguided mentality of aggression.

            If there is something we all need to Resist, it’s the urge to slip into the morass of conflict, agitation, and violence that is the heartbeat of those striving to undermine our Union.  Each person is responsible for establishing limits on his or her behavior and acting accordingly. An enlightened society imposes limits through discourse and reason. Extreme restrictions can be oppressive and painful but limits that are too loose engender chaos. Ideally, harmonious balance is achieved.  Without limits as defined by law, duty, or morality, we lack structure. Without structure, we risk falling into chaos.
           We need to work together to limit extremism and bridge the many gaps in our vibrant, chaotic, and diverse society. We can overwhelm this evil with a chorus of peaceful protest. We will evolve to be a more perfect Union through peace and cooperation.

Later that evening I with millions of others read President Barak Obama's tweet that quoted a passage from Nelson Mandela:

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion..."

Mandela goes on to say:

"People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

I’d like to think that Mandela is right about love coming more naturally than hate. I believe that is true in children who naturally seek affection, comfort, care, and nurturing. Unfortunately, having built our nation on individualism, competition, and getting ahead of the other person, I think we find it necessary as adults to be suspicious and wary of strangers rather than open and inviting. And, while it may be natural to seek love, unfortunately our children learn lessons about bullying, aggression, and conflict from an early age.

Don't let Ms. Heyer's passing be in vain. Show everyone from children to political leaders that you value dialogue, debate, participation, and cooperation within the limits that we've set for ourselves as a society.  Be willing to listen to other points of view and risk having your world view rocked. Participate and express yourself with knowledge, self-confidence, open-mindedness, a willingness to be "wrong," and an appreciation for the strength of diversity. And, don't be cowed by a band of single-minded racists who seek to create an intolerant white supremacist monoculture. Never fear, like any such ecological system, it is doomed to stagnation, weakness, disease, and rot.   

#5 Hsü (Xü) / Confident Waiting (Nourishment) & #6 Sung (Sòng) / Conflict (Dispute)

#5  – K’an (Water) over Ch’ien (Heaven)

Waiting for Nourishment

#6  – Ch’ien (Heaven) over K’an (Water)

Compromise after Dispute

Theme: A time for confident waiting.  A time of Dispute

Aspect	#5 Confident Waiting	#6 Dispute
Situation
Symbolically	Moisture rises up into Heaven.	Strong Heaven rises up and Guileless Water flows down.
Socially	It is a dangerous time – many elements are in flux.	Social unity is lacking due to fundamental differences of opinion – parties move in opposite directions.
Individually	What one needs is out of one’s control.	One who is convinced of being right encounters opposition that feels equally righteous.
Response
Symbolically	Rains cannot be made to fall – mankind must patiently wait for nourishment from Heaven.	Forces move apart from each other symbolizing conflict.
Socially	When matters are not under anyone’s control – all must confidently wait while destiny proceeds.	Misunderstandings and outright conflict are likely if opposing parties insist on proceeding as planned.
Individually	Worry not – rather observe and face the facts while fortifying body and mind.	Public dispute through a mediator allows both parties to save face and meet halfway.
Outcome
Symbolically	The creativity and strength of Heaven is held in check by dangerous and mysterious Water.	When the cunning nature of Water is confronted by the strength of Heaven, conflict ensues.
Socially	Nourish each other with cheer and reassurance while focusing on the present.	Postpone efforts to develop large-scale social programs that depend on the cooperation of diverse perspectives until a more opportune time.
Individually	Through heightened awareness, one will be prepared to strike when conditions change.	Cautiously yielding halfway leads to good fortune for both parties.
The Lines
Top Line	Faced with extreme difficulty one succumbs, but escape is possible if an unexpected ally is honored.	One may now achieve victory but conflicts will be unending.
5th	Being certain of one’s cause, it is possible to maintain serenity through inner cheerfulness during this respite from the ongoing struggle.	A powerful and just arbiter will settle the matter and bring supreme good fortune.
4th	When in the center of chaos, stand fast and remain composed – confrontation will make matters worse.	While one is strong enough to win, because conflict is unjust one finds peace in acceptance.
3rd	A premature venture has left one in an unfavorable position open to attack – use extreme caution.	Relying on one’s inner worth rather than seeking after material possessions brings good fortune.
2nd	In times of trouble, disagreements can lead to gossip but slander is silenced by equanimity.	When engaged against a superior force, retreat is honorable and wise.
Bottom Line	The challenge is still remote – going about one’s normal business guards against wasting energy that will be needed later.	When in a weak position it is best to avoid the issue and thereby avoid the conflict.
Recap
#5 – Hsü (Xü) / Confident Waiting refers to a strategic and intentional approach to biding one’s time while a significant event, crisis, or danger occurs.  The pictogram symbolizes the heaven with a cloud and rain within along with the character for “and then” or “and yet” which together mean “need,” “want,” or “require” and signify the waiting for something critical.  To keep body and soul together we need food and drink and the critical ingredient of both is water from the heavens.  The lack of rains from the heaven has dire consequences for people.  As such, we must patiently wait for it to come. However, this is not idle hoping.  There is inner certainty of achieving an end with purpose and there is the idea of standing up to one’s fate.  Inner security and unrelenting truthfulness allows one to endure and meet fate resolutely. Destiny is at work – don’t overreact.  Be patient with confidence and good cheer!  Waiting for something critical can lead to conflict and disputes – thus what follows is Conflict. #6. Sung (sòng) / Conflict The pictogram for sung (today sòng) is the symbol for words or speech with the character meaning public, fair, or equitable.  Combined, they convey the intent to argue, litigate, dispute, or accuse.  Notice that these actions all involve the use of words and not physical contact.  In terms of social interactions, the conflict considered here is one of opposing opinions, beliefs, or ideologies.  The hope is that through advanced planning (so as to avoid the confrontation in the first place) or through mediation and arbitration with the aid of a mutually-respected third party, coming to blows can be avoided.  Compromise with the aid of a trusted and respected arbiter allows both parties to save face and achieve good fortune. The hexagram, Conflict, seems apropos of America in the aftermath of the Trump election in 2017.  Two opposing entities, Democrats and Republicans, both feeling righteous and justified in their philosophical perspectives, are opposed to each other.  Unfortunately, no impartial and mutually-respected individual, organization, or other party has appeared to mediate and the parties have not met half way.  Mutual respect for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the office of the President has quelled the initial calls to Resist although President Trump’s continued criticisms of the Free Press; his dependence on lies, exaggeration, and salesmanship; and his abuse of the office for personal gain are quickly eroding that respect.  Hopefully the use of Collective Force (see #7) will not be needed and some respected religious leader, independent leader, or organization will intervene so as to enable conflict to halt midway for each party.    Where there is conflict, a multitude is sure to gather so what follows is #7 – Collective Force.

#5 Hsü (Xü) / Waiting (Nourishment) 

#6 Sung (Sòng) / Conflict (Dispute)