“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
Charles Dickens begins his epic novel “A Tale of Two Cities” with this contradictory statement. The reference addresses French and English politics during the 18th century French Revolution (1789-1799). In the midst of chaos and conflict, political upheaval was not only a morass of despair, but a beacon of hope for those mired in a caste system that stifled ingenuity. Dickens not only wrote a popular saga, but raised important questions that remain relevant to this day.
In times of great upheaval, basic qualities of humanity are revealed. Social inequality is laid bare and vicious response is a strong possibility. During the French Revolution, the thin veneer of civility was stripped away; emotional vengeance accompanied violent change. At the same time, England held tightly to its class consciousness. Dickens, writing about this in retrospect, juxtaposed the two systems and exposed the inherent hypocrisy of upper-class pretensions and the quandary of ethical reply by the oppressed.
Borrowing the phrase from Dickens and applying it to our current crisis, many parallels are visible. It is indeed one of the “worst of times” during which many foolish and insincere actions are on display. Government at the national level appears ruled by confusion, issuing mixed messages; an indication of disarray. However, it is also “a season of light” as leadership, strength and resolve have emerged in our communities. Swift action by state, regional and local authorities may well have averted a local cataclysmic situation even though at enormous cost to social and fiscal life. It is heartening that residents of the southeast Bay Area are responding in a peaceful and orderly manner to ensure continuation of the strength and resilience of our communities.
At this time of crisis, the role of government is on display for all to see. Each level – local, regional, state, federal, global – is designed to offer protection and comfort through orderly oversight, regulation and protection. When prosperity is rampant, the need for such guardrails appears slight; restrictions appear unnecessary and chafe. Reserves and plans for catastrophic events may be sidelined in favor of more immediate and satisfying efforts. A “rainy day” fund or contingency is easily dismissed and reduced in importance as historical lessons are scuttled by insufficient institutional or personal memories. New generations discount the cyclical nature of events, concentrating on the brief interlude of their own lifespan. In the long run, however, recurrence is the rule rather than an exception.
Recognition of the past can act to leaven euphoria or despair of the present. It may be difficult to appreciate the wisdom of such advice, but many influential personalities have expressed similar sentiments… not to enslave and restrict progress, but as a solid foundation to embrace advances of the present and future.
The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. – Albert Einstein
You have to know the past to understand the present. – Carl Sagan
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. – George Santayana
While these days may be characterized as the worst of times, they can also be one of our best… a season of light!