Strength of Vulnerability

Strength and Vulnerability only appear to be opposites. They are been as partners in the process of human becoming, for the truth is that we are now, have always been, and will continue through the whole of our lives to be deeply, radically vulnerable, and in this very vulnerability is the source of our strength. Every major religion in the world embraces the truth of such paradox: in order to live, we must die; to gain, we must lose; to be first, be last; and perhaps the most difficult paradox of all, we are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, recognizing that in our weakness is our strength. Good people through out the earth affirm most of these truth in their churches and synagogues or mosques, yet many of these same people are quick to tell us that these truths just do not work or cannot work in the real world.

Culturally, males are encouraged from babyhood on to think of themselves as invulnerable, as above every weakness. Females, on the other hand, are both subtly and overtly taught to think of themselves as entirely invulnerable and in need of the protection of the male. Of course this cultural message is changing , but very very slow. Still, the vast majority of modern day film, especially the sexually violent geared toward the younger audience, strengthens old stereotypes, women are the victims, men are the victors. So unaccustomed are we to power in the feminine that are recent predominance of strong female leads in our day and nighttime soaps are women in whom strength, like sweet cream in vinegar, has curdled. They are manipulative, revengeful, stinging black widows. All of which only reinforces the message that power in woman is unbecoming. It seems that only excellent writing and excellent film have been capable of portraying the deep human strength that is born in women and men who learn to face their weakness and rise above it.