This last year thru hiker Carrot Quinn shared a book she had read called Tribe by Sebastian Junger and after reading it, I can’t help but wish that everyone else would read it to.
It is about belonging, veterans, and what is wrong with American society today.
The author is Native American, a veteran and a journalist who talks about the human need to belong (remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?) and how (mostly men) find it in places like the military service and gangs and when they lose it, they lose their purpose in life. This is what leads to suicide, mass shootings and other such symptoms of a ill-functioning society.
What I like about the book is that it gives perspective as to why what we are currently doing is not working when it comes to taking care of our veterans and how if we applied what does work to ALL Americans, we would begin to solve those problems. He says we need to provide that sense of tribe, a sense of connection, to people in a more systematic and universal manner so they aren’t looking for it in more destructive ways. Gangs and other such groups are able to prey on those who aren’t able to find a sense of belonging in their family or schools.
Since reading this book, I see evidence of this in so many events and circumstances, even the most recent events in Charlottesville and now in Las Vegas. People so hungry to belong and be a part of something. Be noticed. To have purpose even if it means disregard for human life.
I feel so blessed to be a part of several “tribes”: my family, my church, the PCTA, the hiking community, etc. I feel deeply for those who are still searching for their own tribe. My son has struggled since graduating from high school because he opted to go to work instead of college and now has a hard time finding friends that he shares an interest with.
Do you have a tribe? Do you recognize its importance in your own life? Its importance in society?
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