Downward Mobility

Upward mobility has long been an expectation in America. But now the skids are greased! Downward mobility is either a shared experience or a shared fear that glues together the otherwise diverse groups of us who comprise the 99%. 2008 and the continuing Recession have reacquainted thousands of us with moving downward economically in America. Our capital and consumer based economy have torn holes in the safety net, redistributed wealth upwards, and told the rest of us to walk the tightrope of austerity and sacrifice. The lead advocates of austerity lead lives far from it. Our direction is downward. Nothing in the American mythology or economic system prepares us for this.

An attorney friend grasped this clearly and told his young adult children a couple of years ago that even though they’d gone to good schools like he did and even if they work has hard as he does, they will not generate the same income or live at the standard that he does. It was the love of an insightful parent. He wanted them to know this did not mean they were failing.

In sharp contrast with versions of the ingrained American dream, Jubilee tells stories of joy in simplicity (listen to The Common Good Podcast #15 with Rick Zemlin). Jubilee facilitates cooperation, solidarity with one another, and feeling the sufficiency and abundance of enough.

When we’re in freefall, we become painfully aware that the story we’ve been living is an illusion. We hate to admit we’ve been snookered into the delusions of “More, More!” But now such admissions likely put us with the 99% majority. But take note! Spiritual practices across the religious spectrum have tools to help us in downward mobility, making it a practical and liberating choice. As part of our own economic recovery, we can choose a new spiritual path illuminated by enough. Look for those who’ve voluntarily choosen a path of jubilee, enough, and its deeply healing, nourishing ways. We can help one another.