5. Do you believe in the importance of instititions to society? Do you believe in devoting considerable personal time and resources to institutions that will outlive you? Think about churches, patriotism, schools, etc.
My good friend Dragon feels strongly about supporting people. About inspiring others to pay it forward. We both have a strong network of friends (some of whom overlap), but on this question I’m much more of an “institution woman.”
It might have to do with the fact that I’ve spent the last 20 years working for a library that is older than Michigan, the state I live in. I’ve seen the benefits of hundreds of years of concerted effort. I’ve been a part of it. I value it.
Big institutions, like government, can go down the wrong road: sometimes for a long time and with horrible consequences. A different, recent example is the Catholic Church, whose policies and culture have perpetrated sexual abuse by a privileged elite against mostly child members that went unchecked for generations and around the world.
And yet, government also gave us The New Deal, which improved the lives of millions of people. And government is a process of refinement and, hopefully, betterment, as we learn from past mistakes. And organized religion, the bogeyman of many, is also a rock of stability, comfort, support, and community for millions more.
Part of my belief in institutions is personal: I value stability. I’ve been in different departments, held a variety of changing responsibilities, and had four distinct jobs with my current employer. But bottom line? I’ve been there 20 years.
I enjoy stability in my interpersonal relationships as well: I value both my 16- year marriage and a select group of long-term friendships. The friendships have varying degrees of intensity, they change and grow over time. But what it boils down to is that I would be the one phone call from jail for a circle of people that I care about deeply. Because Snakelady shows up for the tough stuff. I can be counted on.
I’ve also been disappointed by institutions. I’m an MSU alumna, and I loved my time there between 1990 and 1994. The Larry Nasser abuse scandal has left a stain on the institution that will last generations. The response of the administration during the course of his abuse: to protect the institution over the students – was morally and legally criminal. I used to give generously to MSU. For now, I’ve stopped. But when I feel that MSU is back on the right track, I’ll return to being a donor. Larry Nasser and Lou Anna Simon do not define MSU.
It’s easy to point to the flaws of institutions. The high crimes and misdemeanors. But institutions also go about the quiet work of improving lives, and improving themselves, over generations. I’m a fan.
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