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Can't we all just get along?
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If you are older than 30, you remember the infamous line from Rodney King, prompted by his brutal beating at the hands of LA cops in 1992, and it seems appropriate today, because of the recent mean outbursts by America’s ‘role models.’
From Sen. Joe Wilson of South Carolina disrespectful holler in Congressional chambers during President Barack Obama’s health-care pledge to former presidential contender John Edwards’ love child, and hip hopper Kanye West? grabbing the mic from MTV winner Taylor Swift. There have been town hall debates – even in Albuquerque – where Joe Citizen is screaming and yelling diverting the topic at hand. What happened to civil disobedience?
There was a story from the Associated Press Sunday that reported cursive writing in on the outs! As an old-school journalist, I am appalled. Every human – regardless of technology – needs to be able to write. Texting is a horrendous massacre of the written word. It has led to digital rather than personal conversation. As one teacher explained it’s difficult to teach students to write a thank-you card, when an e-mailed version takes seconds to deliver. So what? What happens if we lose electricity? But I digress.
The high-speed, get-it-now attitude Americans have embraced in the last 15 years has led to the end of neighborly interaction. And now, it looks like we are even ignoring civility.
Consider the story of a homeless woman who was the only person who stopped on a busy New York street to aid an unconscious man. She reportedly shuns the accolades of “hero,” saying she did what she wished any other person would do for her ala The Golden Rule.
What has happened to us? The rich seem riddled with fear their riches may be lost. There is a sense of entitlement occurring in the public arena. Depression has increased while the recession has been declared over. Unemployment is still rampant and families are still trying to figure out how to pay for their next meal.
Listening to a Houston preacher this week was inspiring. The Rev. Joel Osteen encouraged his congregation to think of positives rather than negatives. He said being negative brings only negative experiences back to you. (Instant Karma).
I remember the days following the last national election for president. As I would walk through malls and stores, there was a sense of relief and calmness that followed people. As a former campaigner, we were thrilled, of course, but there was also a sense of aaahhh, now we can relax – Obama will pull us of this mess.
Obama did say at the beginning, and as recently as he declared 9/11 a day of community giving there is a responsibility for all of us to help get our country back in the attitude of helping your neighbor. Now is the time to do that. Little things mean a lot. Smiling at the clerk in Wal-Mart can make their day. Helping someone open a door is so inconsequential that everyone can make a difference in someone’s life.
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