ENGAGING THE CULTURE IN A TIME OF CONFLICT

ENGAGING THE CULTURE IN A TIME OF CONFLICT IS SIMPLY FOCUSING ON COMMONALITIES WITH PEOPLE INSTEAD OF DIFFERENCES

Trench warfare in WWI can be described as: Establish a position. Dig yourself down into that position. Hide in that position. You NEVER come in sight with your enemy—you just hold firm to your established position and you hurl a lot of ammo the other person’s way. Modern day trench warfare is what happens on social media. This presentation offers a solution to the cultural divide in this country by offering a simple concept of LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. Get to know them and focus on your commonalities rather than your differences. It’s not as easy to hurl insults at someone you know–even if you have disagreements.

WHO IS THIS GUY?

ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND

In 1889, Franz Ferdinand’s life changed dramatically. His cousin Crown Prince Rudolph committed suicide at his hunting lodge. This left Franz Ferdinand’s father, Karl Ludwig, as first in line to the throne. Karl Ludwig died of typhoid fever in 1896. Long story short. . .Ferdinand was groomed to succeed to the throne.

IMAGE: Smithsonian Magazine https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/curses-archduke-franz-ferdinand-and-his-astounding-death-car-27381052/

SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated (June 28, 1914)
His assassination sparked a global conflictAustria declared war on Serbia (July 28, 1914)
Russia declared war on Austria to help defend Serbia (July 28, 1914)
Germany then declared war on Russia (August 1, 1914)
Germany declared war on France (August 3, 1914)
France then declared war on Germany (August 3, 1914)
Germany declared war on Belgium (August 3, 1914)
Britain declared war on Germany (August 4, 1914)
Austria declares war on Russia (August 6, 1914)

ESTABLISHING A POSITION

Because some guy got killed about 20 MILLION people lost their lives in response fighting WWI
Why did so many die? Trench warfare (A brutal war tactic)

WHAT IS TRENCH WARFARE?

Establish a position. Dig yourself down into that position. Hide in that position. You NEVER come in sight with your enemy—you just hold firm to your established position and you hurl a lot of ammo the other person’s way.

IMAGE: Shutterstock

NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT

Over the 4 year span of WWI the battle lines DID NOT MOVE MUCH! Therefore, NOT MUCH WAS ACCOMPLISHED during WWI.
Geography didn’t change, leaders didn’t change, nothing really happened except a lot of people died.

IMAGE: Shutterstock

SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENED

Christmas Eve 1914—6 months into the Great War, someone stepped into the no mans land without a weapon and declared a ceasefire—the Christmas truce of 1914.

A HIDDEN CURE TO OUR FUTURE

Even though there was so much they disagreed with each other on (they were at war) on that day they focused on what they had in common–British, Germans and French were all Christians and they wanted to celebrate Christmas.
This realization caused them to talk, look each other eye to eye, eat together, play together and experience a reprieve, a peace in the midst of the storm with their weapons on the ground.

RELATIONSHIP CHANGES EVERYTHING

That night changed them. So much so, the next day when fighting was to resume, they couldn’t pull the trigger on someone they were eating and playing games with the day before.
The commanding officers had to reassign them to a different front as they couldn’t attack someone that they had relationship with!
In the years that follow a new rule was established, “the no fraternization rule” because you probably won’t kill him if you know him.

MODERN DAY TRENCH WARFARE

Fast forward to today with this backdrop. Social media has created a catalyst that is similar to “trench warfare.” In fact, it is trench warfare.
People see or hear of something that they take a stand on.
They establish a position
They start firing ammo against the other side without ever knowing the full story or the person

A NATION DIVIDED

Politics
Race
Gender
Class
Nationality
Religion
Marriage

People are looking for division rather than commonality

THE RELENTLESS ATTACK

People don’t want to change. They want to only ADD to their pile of ammo so they can continue the relentless attack on people that they ASSUME are against them, and have different views.
I’m truly concerned.

SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP

How does engaging the culture play out in reality? Someone has to take the first step and like the unknown guy from WWI, be bold, courageous and go out into the battlefield with a bold message.