Hillel: history, philosophy, and Jewish thought

¶ … Soul of a Citizen

The main idea of this introduction is in line with what the author himself describes as the essential term at the heart of the entire book: responsibility. The responsibility discussed in the article comes in many forms and many iterations, from responsible action to responsible knowledge and awareness, as well as simple responsiveness to the world around us, but in all of its forms it is seen as the essential element in developing the soul of a citizen. Throughout the examples and ponderings that make up the introduction to the latest edition of Loeb's book, the need for human beings in a society to work with each other towards ends that serve the common good is repeatedly stressed, with great effect on both rational and emotional levels. Loeb wants his readers to know that shaping the world not only can be done by individuals, but must be.

The first major ways in which Loeb makes his point about responsibility is through an examination of Rosa Parks and her refusal to move to the back of a segregated Montgomery bus, an act which sparked the long-running and ultimately successful boycott. He uses her story -- the real version -- to illustrate the power of action and the responsibility it implies, but more importantly Loeb notes how widespread the fake version of her story -- the lone woman after a long day's work who innocently refused to move -- has become, and its abdication of the responsibility of the many years Parks and others spent working for the civil rights movement prior to the more famous event. Her act was purposeful and planned, and followed a pattern of individual and community involvement stretching back at least half a century, and longer by some measures -- responsibility is ongoing and time consuming, Loeb stresses.

Loeb goes on to discuss the recent presidential election, and specifically the changes that Obama made to the traditional campaign style that allowed him to garner not only a victory in the primaries, but in the election itself. It was the activism of millions of individuals, some contributing more than others but all contributing some, that allowed him to become the first African-American president, a feat which many thought impossible in the years leading up to the election. It also signaled a growing dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual; people took a greater hold of their responsibility for the government in a democracy, somewhat turning away from the cynicism and hopelessness that Loeb notes has typified much of the American culture's attitude towards their government since Vietnam. Hopelessness also abdicates responsibility, while hope itself must come form the individual(s).

One of the last major points that Loeb makes is that responsibility does not mean having all of the answers -- no one has them. Instead, it means becoming actively engaged in the debates and issues that are affecting and changing our world. They will continue to instigate changes no matter how becomes involved; it is only those who actively participate in their world that have an active hand in shaping it. Loeb quotes Rabbi Abraham Herschel as saying, "in regard to cruelties committed in the name of a free society, some are guilty, while all are responsible." Extrapolating this standpoint even further, beyond the realm of cruelties committed an to the realm of all social action, this means that though not everyone becomes an activist in the causes and issues that are shaping the world, everyone that has the potential for such activism is responsible for the ultimate outcome.

Social workers could use the information contained in this introduction in a variety of ways. First, both Lobe's ideas and his language are hugely empowering, and could be used not only to bolster the social worker's own confidence, but could also be used to show clients their own inner abilities in regards to changing their lives and the world around them. In this way, the information contained in the introduction is of great direct and practical use. In a somewhat less direct way, the information given here can also be used by the social worker to develop a more comprehensive view of the interactions between individual voices and actions and larger social institutions. The cynicism and hopelessness that Loeb discusses have crept insidiously and unaware into many people's sub-consciousness, and the information he provides serves as a point of awakening.