Scientific and other evolutionary issues have never been easy to discuss. Remember what they did to Galileo when he discovered that the earth was not the center of the universe? He was silenced.

Fast forward to the twenty first century, when in some company, the mention of climate change and related subjects causes a complete, and often hostile breakdown in communication. People simply can’t wrap their minds around the obvious: everything changes.

Does that included the nature of mankind? Can it change?

I love science and I look forward to new discoveries; confirmation of what has long been suspected (life on other planets).  Curious, I have never been threatened when I learn that my beliefs are not the truth.

Maybe it’s because I have been trying to practice letting go of attachments to define myself, i.e., I am not my gender; nor my race; nor my age; and certainly not my nationality or religion. I’ve never lived in a zip code; the world is my oyster, and the world is expanding. That is, the world of ideas. It is a great place to live.

I also believe, and science is proving, that our universe is shrinking, and we better get used to it.

I realize that is a scary place for some.

Once, while consulting, I asked the group to draw their community. Almost every drawing had a physical boundary: a street; a town; a state; the United States. Not one represented their community as the entire universe. I guess it’s just too big of an idea.

Too many humans still consider themselves to be the center of the universe- our very small, and shrinking universe. That kind of thinking is causing so many other problems.

They still use time-honored base markers; i.e., religion, political persuasion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, nationality, etc., to tell us who they are.

That being said, I can understand why folk retreat to their animal brain to survive in this complex world when their belief centers shift.

They’re afraid.

For instance, In Texas, where I temporarily live (everything is temporary), the latest brouhaha is over a change in the open carry laws.  You can now legally walk around with hunting rifles and such.

Open carry refers to the act of carrying a handgun (generally) that is in plain view in a holster. There is no concealment garment such as a t-shirt or vest that is covering the firearm. 

Florida has something akin to it. Stand your Ground is a first cousin to Open Carry. They both address the need to show force.

War cries are going out across the land of the free; home of the brave.

What’s really at stake if these rights are threatened, or removed?

Folks are talking about their fear of losing a constitutionally- given, or other legally defined right to exist, forcefully. This hostile, jungle-based mentality is a left-over from the times when humans had to hunt and gather, and live in small bands, just to survive.

But, we have evolved, haven’t we?

I’ve got some news for the hunter/gatherers out there: Now open on a corner near you is a food store or supermarket chain that sells meat, eggs, produce and manufactured edibles.

And, coming soon, will be a pill to provide your daily nutrients.

Bulletin! This just in: The fastest growing trend around the world: Living in cities- in multiplex housing units- where tax dollars are used to employ professional police.

So, what about those folk who are strapped with guns and ammunition- walking around the streets, displaying force and standing their ground? What are they defending? Who do they fear? What is their point?

Indeed, their sky is falling.

Their sky of maintaining the status quo. Their sky of isolation. Their sky of prejudice against the ‘other.’

What can be done to put them at ease? How can we help them understand that mankind has evolved? That we are now creatures who can live on a higher plane; who can be more humanitarian, by choice; and no longer so animalistic, by nature.

I will continue to pray to some higher power that my fellow Texans and Floridians, in fact the whole world, gets the message, and that they get it soon.

Antonia Williams-Gary is a consultant with Miami-based Savings and Grace Enterprise. She may be reached at toniwg1@gmail.com