The Question of Unity
By Mike Taylor, Dróttinn of the Männerbund and Auxiliary
What is unity? Some might consider it oneness or a totality that combines all parts into one. To others, it is merely an absence of diversity, unvaried, or uniform of character. Other descriptors could include concord, harmony, or agreement. What about continuity without deviation or change? Perhaps it is a sense of singleness or constancy of purpose or action. In short, unity transforms a series of unorganized and independent actions into a group effort bound by guiding principles and focused toward a collective purpose.
How do groups of men, brotherhoods or fraternities, achieve unity? As we know from previous articles, conversations, and discussions, the single basic element of a brotherhood is the individual man. How, then, does a brotherhood achieve unity when each man who comprises the vetted and sworn membership has free will?
On the one hand, leaders cannot simply dictate unity to individual members. To expect this is naïve. To implement such a strategy is foolish and fraught with pitfalls. On the other hand, individual men, no matter their mettle, character, and worth, cannot force unity from below. They might be able to influence others, but over time that influence will wane for lack of foundation.
To achieve unity, men first be bound together. Be it by blood, kinship, ideology, or faith, some form of bond must be attained. Also, men must work as a team. Ah, but is that not a form of unity? Yes and no. A team is merely a demonstration of cooperation. Time, hardship, pain, suffering, and hard work are the tools by which a team gains cohesiveness, and at some point, possibly unity. For a tight-knit group to have unity, it requires personal investment (skin in the game) and loyalty.
Men of the Folk Nation and those who would join must invest themselves in the brotherhood. They must do this with body, mind, and soul, and through blood, sweat, and tears. These may seem like catchy words to represent a lofty and esoteric ideal, but they remain true in their most basic sense. Men must work and toil to make their bodies as strong, resilient, and durable as they can be so they can withstand the hardships that will come. Their minds must be molded and focused on purposeful intent, never wavering. Their souls must be true to their most closely-held beliefs, for these beliefs shape their worldviews and determine their character. Men might also be called upon to shed blood, sweat, and tears, not only for fellow individual brothers but also for the folk as a whole. These are the investments men must make for the folk to be united. Without such an investment, membership is weak and susceptible to fracturing into the shards of yet another group shattered on the rocks of reality.
Then there is the issue of loyalty. Men must be loyal to the group, which means that no matter what decision leadership makes, that is the position of the folk. At this point, all discussion and argument must cease, and the men must remain loyal to the group and its leaders. Also, men must be loyal to their brothers on an individual basis. They must treat their fellow members with both respect and honesty but tempered by tact and love. If problems arise, brothers resolve them and put the issues behind them. There is no room for anger, grudges, or resentment. Finally, men must be loyal to themselves. This means honest assessment and appraisal through deep introspection. Such a process identifies weaknesses, which are then improved upon and eliminated. A man who shirks his duty to eliminate personal weakness is a blight on the fellowship and Folk Nation. He has demonstrated disloyalty to himself, his brothers, and his people.
Why are personal investment and cohesion important? To ignore them is to risk disunity, which breeds resentment and disloyalty. Without personal investment, it is very difficult for a man to be loyal, for he has no “skin in the game,” and he has little worth to the folk. Without loyalty, a man is a wild card and a detriment to the well-being and survivability of the folk. Personal investment and loyalty go hand-in-hand, and they form two very basic expectations when vetting new members. Those who join must be strong and resolute in both, or risk banishment from the group.
For a folk to maintain the course, it must provide purpose to its membership. Guiding principles, an ethos, codes of conduct and honor, a vision, a mission statement, and a campaign plan – these are the vehicles by which we glean purpose. Through purpose, men can unify their effort. They have goals and milestones which measure their success.
As you can see, unity is a two-way street. Leadership provides the purpose and membership provides the effort. In this way, the Folk Nation succeeds and remains united in the face of adversity. But the men must remain focused and strong to avoid the dangers of disunity and the pitfalls of disloyalty.
Unity without loyalty amounts to empty promises.
Loyalty without unity is a shallow and tenuous web of platitudes.
How does a folk achieve unity and loyalty? The answer lies in action, for both unity and loyalty require it. Action means more than mere motion. It requires purpose and intent. Sitting in front of the computer and participating in a chat room is not action. This activity is merely an emotional outlet. The action to which I refer consists of self-improvement, strengthening the bonds between brothers, and working towards the tangible goals for the sake of our people.
Are you up to the challenge? Are you a man of action, resolute in conviction? Or are you a LARPer, playacting, all talk and no action? Get off your ass and man up. The time of the folk is now. Will you participate and contribute or will you simply watch and comment? Decide, for the Folk Nation and its folk waits for no inactive man.