The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [55]
The new plan, therefore, was to relinquish the control of the sessions, at least to some degree, to the three men themselves. Each of them was, in his turn, to become chairman of the day, to have the responsibility for calling the men together for the meeting, and to choose the topic of discussion. To make the meetings even more rewarding, the chairman was to pass out ready-made cigarettes, which we supplied—the men themselves could not afford them—and to hold onto money (a small weekly allowance) for several days, until Store Day on Fridays. An integral part of the plan was to encourage co-operation and friendly interaction among the three as far as we could, given their basically withdrawn states. As the plan evolved during the next few weeks, we suggested that they open and close each meeting with a song, that they sing during the meeting, that they read to one another, that they meet on weekends without the research personnel, and that they write reports of these meetings.
To what extent, we wondered, would they be willing and able to conduct the meetings under more autonomous conditions? What topics would they choose to talk about and what topics would they avoid? Would the subject of identity come up spontaneously and, if so, how would it be resolved? Left more to their own devices, could they learn to live in peace with one another despite the fundamental issue that divided them? Could they forge themselves into a more cohesive group, that is, a group with common goals in which each person became instrumental to the achievement of the ends all shared?[1] Under such conditions, would the three men learn to be more friendly toward one another and to identify with one another to a greater degree? And if they did, would such changes in atmosphere and mutual gratifications lead to further changes in behavior or even changes in their delusions?
Thus, on the twenty-fourth of August, about eight weeks after the initial encounter, I announced that there were to be certain changes in the conduct of the meetings, that today one of the three men was to serve as chairman, sit in an especially designated chairman’s chair, and take responsibility for the conduct of the meeting. Joseph was the most enthusiastic of the three.
“Give it to me. I’ll take care of it,” he said.
I suggested, however, that the chairman should be elected according to parliamentary procedure.
“Truth is the chairman,” Leon asserted.
Clyde nominated the research assistant.
When Joseph persisted in wanting the job, Leon said: “I nominate Joseph on Joseph’s request.”
The three men voted and Joseph was unanimously elected. He stood up with a happy expression and delivered his acceptance speech. “Thank you, gentlemen, for naming me chairman.” I then suggested that Joseph assume the chairman’s role at once.
Leon turned to Joseph and said: “What do you suggest, sir?”
“I suggest a discussion of crusades for peace,” Joseph answered. “Say, Rex, do you think this New World has been doing anything for peace?”
“I have, sure—engineering,” Clyde said.
“To me, peace means ideology in the heart,” Leon stated.
And Joseph put in: “Many, many women should write to the President and Congressmen telling them they have been doing a good job so far, asking them to continue working toward peace. They should write to newspapers too. Their propaganda influences the country. After the women write, the men can do likewise. An army of civilians, men, women and children, should walk to Washington.”
“Charity is the best form of government,” Leon said.
“Not everyone wants charity,” Joseph countered.
“There is charity based on self-dignity where one can give and accept for the common good,” Leon said. “There should be no coercion, no persuasion.”
“In this country there are individuals who