It’s unfortunate, but evil exists in our world. From rulers waging war in far off places to domestic terrorists wreaking havoc in our backyard, it feels as though evil is becoming more and more pervasive in our daily lives. The innocence of our youth is far off in the rearview, replaced with the reality of blood spattered crowds and murders in real time.
At one point in history, a fulfilling day off from hard labor consisted of gathering in the town square to watch some poor soul be stoned to death. You can imagine the excitement of many in the crowd as the guilty party was pelted over and over until their lifeless body lay bare for all to see. A gruesome and horrific death was considered entertainment.
The past couple of weeks have shone a light on how far we haven’t come as a society. Two high profile murders have taken place and somehow a united front of condemnation has eluded us. In our politicized America, it’s only tragic if the correct person is murdered. More often than not, the correct person is determined by a mix of mass media, various celebrities and extremely wealthy elites.
Adding fuel to the fire is an infantile media conglomerate determined to pander their version of what America should be. Using language like “Nazi” and “Fascist” to describe someone or something that clearly doesn’t meet all the historical requirements to warrant those definitions is both lazy and careless. It also helps to drive home division and foment anger among a populace that’s already foaming at the mouth and out for blood.
We’re paying a steep price for the echo chambers we’ve designed for ourselves. Opening our mouths and having an opinion can now result in being gunned down for all to see. The “he or she deserved it” crowd has no sway here. Breathing a sigh of relief at the Obama approved mission that killed Osama Bin Laden is one thing, rejoicing in the death of a human being is another thing altogether. It’s inhumane, ripping at the very fabric of our soul, creating a demon-like thirst for blood and revenge that’s difficult to repackage once it’s been unwrapped.
School shootings and assassinations have become less the exception than the rule. Public places have become war zones with our safety in question each time we step foot out our front door. Other war torn countries have been dealing with societal conflict for generations. America had always been different, then 9/11 happened and everything changed. That change continues to ripple through our society, like a cancer, unabated in its veracity and strength.
Obvious questions linger, what do we do? Where do we go from here? It may sound silly, but loving one another regardless of skin color, sexual orientation or otherwise is a good start. Removing the barriers that divide us while blocking out the noise from political leaders and the media is necessary to live a happy and fulfilling life. We all get one life to live. Put down the megaphone and use your voice to whisper softly into the ear of a loved one.
We’re living in turbulent times. Just when you think things are getting better, a series of tragic events enter our news feed, leading us down an emotional spiral of negativity and darkness. Lift your head out of your phone and talk to your neighbors. Having honest and candid conversations about how you’re feeling will soothe what ails you and provide a sense of community far greater than anything you’d find on a social media page.
In a letter to William Smith, Thomas Jefferson once said, “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” The letter was written in 1783; however, it may as well have been written last week. The definition of patriot or tyrant would be different for all of us but the sentiment continues to ring true.
I yearn for a day when it doesn’t.
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