Children of Light, Children of Darkness: 2017's Protagonists

​The TakeAway: Periodically, democracy confronts mass confusion, as liberty enables the flow of conflicting claims and justifications for how we should live together. 2016 was such a year, as increasing inequality and the dissolution of the middle class surfaced ugly conflicts between cynics and optimists, with both sides seemingly unable to agree on facts, beliefs, or a shared sense of purpose. To prevent society from collapsing into chaos, we must rededicate ourselves to the principles of our pluralist, representative democracy, educate and empower ourselves about ways in which we can bridge the equity gap, and engage in the great battle for the nation’s soul.

In doing so, we can learn from the great public theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, and apply these insights to our current dilemma. That means dropping our sanctimony, getting educated, and getting more engaged with the business of active citizenship — which includes connecting with average Americans who know little about the the field of ethical investing, corporate responsibility, and sustainable finance.