Who are we now?
After the shouting, the arguing, the marches, the name
calling, the threats, and the lies what remains of the great experiment of the Founders?
What has become of the social activists of the last
century?
How many still believe in what we protested against and
stood up for;
or have they been reduced to standing and fighting for single issues that only affect their desires?
or have they been reduced to standing and fighting for single issues that only affect their desires?
What have we become?
When did everything we say, believe in, love or hate
become imbued with fanaticism?
Why are all things black or white, good or evil, pure or
obscene?
How did we become a people who cheer on Fascisti, call
generous and empathetic people names,
loathe anyone with whom we aren’t in complete agreement, or that doesn’t look like us;
hate and abhor the “other” so much that innocent passersby have the police called for their arrests?
How did simple disagreements in style, taste, choice, belief become a cause for violence?
loathe anyone with whom we aren’t in complete agreement, or that doesn’t look like us;
hate and abhor the “other” so much that innocent passersby have the police called for their arrests?
How did simple disagreements in style, taste, choice, belief become a cause for violence?
Are we broken?
Have the last couple of generations, the last couple of
years warped and cracked us beyond repair?
Is courteous and respectful social interaction,
discussion and debate dead beyond resuscitation?
Is it still possible to talk to each other without
vitriol, expletives, hyperbole, bombast, hatefulness
or computer keyboards?
or computer keyboards?
Have we gone too far?
Is it achievable to
return to a place where we can temper our
anger, hatred, unrelenting certainties of the rightness of our own opinions
that we can again listen and learn?
Is politeness to strangers, rational discourse, informed debate, differing views and opinions,
simple courtesy during disagreements still viable possibilities, or are civility, and tolerance officially dead?
Is politeness to strangers, rational discourse, informed debate, differing views and opinions,
simple courtesy during disagreements still viable possibilities, or are civility, and tolerance officially dead?
Ronda R. Scott-Marak
© 24 January 2019
I have seen a noticeable drop in standards over the years. It seems to be encouraged by the media and what is laughably called "good television". For example, audiences being encouraged to cheer or jeer, so that contestants are treated like performers in a Roman gladiatorial arena. I think few parents raise their children to be respectful any more. And discussion around the table is a thing of the past. Most people just don't have time. Most schools have such a tight schedule of required learning that, again, they don't have time. And now the internet, twitter, etc allow people to be incredibly rude and do it anonymously. I don't know if there is a way back. As with most things behavious comes from the top. Politicians need to set the standard. Money never trickles down but attitudes do.
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