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Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2009

Herbert A. Opalek: The unity factor

Unity is an important factor in the development of a city.

We are told that all of its citizenry must be committed to the same line of growth and development so that the city will reach its greatest potential.

In a trite sense it echoes the cri du couer of Alexander Dumas' Three Musketeers: "One for All and all for one."

But is this really true?

In discussing the importance of unity, Ellis Rivkin, professor emeritus of Jewish History at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, writes that the "unity principle became the organizer, systematizer, and processor of diversity, rather than its negation."

The commitment to unity, Rivkin writes, does not end with unity but with diversity.

Examples of this diversity abound. Democrats, Republicans and independent, each have their own diverse platforms and positions. Yet, they are united in that they all are working, in their own ways, toward the public good.

In Christianity, we find many denominations with their diverse and often misunderstood dogma. Yet, all these denominations are united in their faith and fealty to Jesus Christ.

Here, in Merced, we are about to enter a period where our unity of purpose will be severely tested.

There is the Wal-Mart distribution center issue, the homeless conundrum, the mayoral and City Council elections, the question of police brutality, jokes about other races and the questions about governmental services that naturally arise following budgetary cuts.

We will not see a civil war over these issues but feelings will be bruised and trust lost for a significant section of our citizenry.

None of these issues is alien to the growth of any potentially thriving community.

These issues reflect the birth pangs of a city growing from a sedate and complacent community into an urban metropolis replete with a major university, new hospital and new businesses.

It is how we handle this diversity in unity that will define where we go and grow from this point.

In order for there to be what city planners call "smart growth," there needs be honest discussion and amiable resolution and then we must all band together for the greater good.

In Merced, there are three diverse business communities: agriculture, manufacturing and service. Each has its own priorities and goals. Yet, they all are essential to our unified growth and development.

Do we need to reconsider our options and constrain some of our diversity? Perhaps Merced has grown too diverse. I do not know.

Do we need a multiplicity of school boards and their bureaucracies? Are three chambers of commerce redundant? Do we have an understanding of each other's points of view? Most importantly, can we handle the discussion in a frank but civilized manner?

Again, I do not know.

What I hope for is that no matter what opinions are held on these important issues of the day, there will be more than a modicum of civility. Name calling, false accusations, aloofness from the process have no place in the growth of Merced.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking."

I pray this be true in our community.

Herbert A. Opalek is CEO of the Merced County Rescue Mission.