Them and Us...

I’ve always told my kids that unfortunately there are only two teams in life- “Them and Us”.

“I can see by your coat, my friend 
You're from the other side 
There's just one thing I've got to know 
Can you tell me please, who won?” 

And I believe it too. Whether you’re talking about the Hatfields and the McCoys, Red Sox - Yankees, North and South, Sharks - Jets, there are really only two teams, “Them and Us”.

“When you're a Jet, 
You're a Jet all the way 
From your first cigarette 
To your last dyin' day.” 

Too many times we divide ourselves when we don’t have to. But it is my belief that it is in our nature to pick a side. We enjoy having a rival, an enemy, it helps us confirm who we are.

“When you're a Jet, 
If the spit hits the fan, 
You got brothers around, 
You're a family man!”

And being part of something bigger than ourselves makes us feel bigger than life- 

“When you're a Jet, 
You're the top cat in town, 
You're the gold medal kid 
With the heavyweight crown! 

Here come the Jets 
Like a bat out of hell. 
Someone gets in our way, 
Someone don't feel so well!” 

I’m not sure we can solve all the mysteries of the world if we “divide and conquer”, but I do know if we acknowledge our common traits and choose not to dwell on our differences, we can make a better world.

“If you smile at me 
I will understand 
'Cause that is something 
Everybody everywhere does in the same language” 

Recently, the tragic violence that has taken young lives unnecessarily has only divided us more…

“Horror grips us as we watch you die 
All we can do is echo your anguished cries 
Stare as all human feelings die 
We are leaving, you don't need us” 

It’s every man and woman’s choice to be fair in their evaluation of others. I’ve made my choice…

“Wooden ships on the water, very free, and easy 
Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be 
Silver people on the shoreline let us be 
Talk'n 'bout very free, and easy”

“And it's a fair wind 
Blowin' warm out of the south over my shoulder 
Guess I'll set a course and go”…

“Wooden Ships” lyrics by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young                                                                “Jet Song” lyrics by Stephen Sondheim