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Where has respect and honor gone? When the masses scream for personal rights, declaring that one class of people or another have none, how can we envision a society where all the people can come together?
We hear the scream of black lives matter, blue lives matter, and all lives matter. One side claims that there can be no peace, except at the price of killing another. Huge sums of money are donated to continue the rise of hate-speech. Yet, where must the individual (you and I) stand when the media eschews any semblance of hesitation proclaiming their broadcast voice should have a position greater than any other.
The media has created personalities, no longer reporting news from a neutral position. Personalities who believe their own propaganda and personal self-righteousness. In reality, it appears that lives, in general, no longer matter.
Those screaming the loudest now seem to be the ones who have risen to the top of their respective professions, receiving millions of dollars for their protected state, while the masses toil in wages that represent depression with an inability to feed their families, pay their bills, or save for retirement.
There are token gifts made by those of worth, amounting to just enough publicity to pretend concern and care. These pennies seen by recipients are dwarfed by the windfall of lawsuit funds received, shared with well-healed banks of lawyers pleased that their own profession remains outside the scope of public condemnation. In truth, the only thing that will be provided to the masses is a ‘proclamation’ of continuing dedication to endless community activist groups which will make ‘recommendations’ the eradication of awful conditions – as long as it doesn’t impact those at the top.
So, what do we do?
Deflection from discovery is now in play. Focus misdirected to those who could be innocent of the crimes purported, or, those whose once troubled past cause suspicion. You see, the only crimes that are now acceptable are those where people have self-reported, gone to rehab (or jail), then miraculously dedicated themselves to exposing others who ‘might’ have not turned their lives around. Made up stories, false associations, blame is the reward for not following the NEW ORDER of life. It does not matter that you never knew of a corrupt existence, and have never endorsed what appear incorrect and corrupt. All that matters now is the accusation, and whether it finds purchase. As long as it cannot be traced back to any legitimate source. Then direct the blinded masses to steal, destroy, and set fire to anyplace that causes enough harm that the police and fire departments will not enter.
Prejudice against any race, creed or color is now open for palpable consumption. You just have to remember what side you are on… until the other side is present. Then, keep quiet, and step into the flow of movement for the next group taking stage.
What went wrong? What is missing that defined the lives we led 10, 20 or even 30 years ago?
Perhaps we can all see what went wrong. Either we choose to ignore the truth, or, we hide from the truth while others take up the mantle of correcting evident wrongs. We excuse the rise of divorce and single parent households, including the criminalization of failure to pay child support, to a degree that those found in contempt are put away, making the gap for compliance greater. Not that it isn’t due. It cannot be explained away by self-centered anger of entitlement.
‘Entitlement’. An interesting term that permits people to take what is not rightfully earned. The perception that you deserve something for nothing (e.g., the rich must share their gains with those of lesser financial station), must permits reasoning that there is only anarchy that will permit someone to get ahead. That true business acumen and working hard are incompatible. Hence, why go to school, pay taxes, or try to open a business when it is easier to sit back and let others do it for you.
With that in mind, it may be time to make a moral choice: Will we, as a people, continue to turn a blind eye in the raising our standards, and choosing (by example) to influence the lives of our children and grand-children? Will we choose to blindly follow others into a life of stealing, looting, and destroying the lives of those whose homes and businesses that burn. For if that is the choice we make, are we not destined to decay as a civilization – just as happened in ancient Greece, Rome, and a host of other countries that are finding themselves in trouble today.
Where has our self-respect gone? Or respect for others?
Looking at the word itself; ‘respect’. We can identify a number of additional similar connotations; ‘esteem’, ‘deference’, ‘veneration’, ‘admiration’. Which of these words nest reflects your thoughts and actions toward others? In all cases? Or, are you selective as to which people you reserve your respect? If so, why are there some not worthy of your ‘respect’?
Now the word, ‘honor’. You may choose a single alternate word, such as ‘decency’, ‘righteousness’, or even ‘integrity’. What then may the truth of your actions represent when looking at how you treat others? A righteous cause may be one that reflects the truth of a matter. Yet, that ‘truth’ must be governed by a moral compass to have any base in reality. A compass that prevents us from succumbing to animalistic tendencies. It requires us to spend our free time in reflection of what truly matters within the confines of social values. We are then left to determine which way we shall live. In anarchy, or, in assistance in creating a better world than the one in which we currently abide.
Not too long ago, a young black man was gunned down while attempting to rob another. His parents lamented how he was a good boy. Staring college and only committed this crime because he had no money to purchase clothes for school. They reasoned that this was a crime against their son… who had done nothing more than try to get money so he would have the right clothes for school.
Right and wrong are no longer thought of in terms of the good guy wearing a white hat, while the bad guy wears a black one. No matter where we go, the ability for our children and grandchildren to play outside without fear of predators has lapsed. Our concern now a reality. The fabric of our society left to those who excuse the unrighteous acts of many. Out of some misguided, newly developed, concept that providing peace signs in the face of violence will quell the angry mobs.
Here is my solution.
An Old Cherokee Tale of Two Wolves:
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’
The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’
Ask yourself, “Which am I feeding today”?
Then let your decision be seen by an example that excludes the negatives. Be the difference! No matter what choices others may try and pressure you to make.
Your choice to opt out of the ridiculous, atrocious, actions of others will shine like a beacon. Maybe then we can return to some semblance of civility in our daily lives.