Named for Julius Caesar by the Roman Senate, July is the seventh month, marking the halfway point of 2015. It has indeed been a year of action so far.
Julius Caesar is thought of as one of the greatest military commanders in history, and through the ancient political maxim ‘divide et impera’ (divide and rule), dissolved the Roman Republic and planted the seeds that led to the rise of the Roman Empire after his assassination.
This method of control is very effective and exists to this day, exemplified by the divisions of race, gender, social status, religion, political affiliation, etc. While Covington is a fairly quiet community, technology allows a greater connection to events happening on a national level. No community is immune to tragedy, but local administration is proactively taking a positive approach.
CPD Chief Tim Lentz is making strides to foster a stronger sense of community by partnering with the Boys and Girls Club in town. Local businesses that support this endeavor include Brooks’ Bike Shop on the Trace and the Center Of Performing Arts at the corner of Columbia and Rutland. It is hopeful to see positive activity to balance the stress of a rapidly changing world.
There is a personal responsibility that each citizen has to their community and surrounding environment: Nurture It. Every religion has its own ideas, but a common theme among all of them is the ancient concept of the individual acting in a way they would like others to act toward them, known as reciprocity , or the Golden Rule. Do Good.
Individuality is a prized component to humans, while genetically, the human population is 99.9% similar. When the created divisions cause harm to others, it is time to address the issues raised and adjust accordingly. At this point, self preservation becomes important.
If people are to accept the goal of helping others, or at the very least, of doing no harm, the right frame of mind is necessary. Self preservation in this sense deals with identifying information or ideas that are harmful to self or others, and eliminating them. Things have power only because they are given power, and the choice to challenge that power is always there.
In the case of Julius Caesar, his power was challenged, and he met an untimely death. He initially fought back, until he glimpsed Brutus. Perhaps his own sense of empathy hit him and he gave in to fate, realizing that he had taken enough. Or maybe he was like Anderson’s emperor with the new clothes, too immersed in himself to see the truth before him. Either way, the emperor lies before all, unclothed, broken and bleeding.
Timothy Gates is a Correspondent for Covington Weekly, and can be reached at [email protected].
