I wonder what it will take to see these self-destructive tendencies. We are all in agreement that we want a better future, but it is almost as if some only want that for themselves.
Will lies and misinformation have to take effect in your personal lives to find the value in truth?
Will your daughters have to experience rape, only to look up to our leader and see that it is accepted by American masculine standards, and that her now eternal grief is unjustified? Where does your anger lie?
Will your pregnant wife have to collide with the wood-tiled floor in grave agony, screeching in fear of losing her life, your babies’ life, or both? My dream is to become a father. I just hope my wife is there to see it happen.
Will you see it on that seemingly average day when you drop your child off at school for the last time without knowing it? And if they survive that day, will you only hug them a little tighter, or would you have to face the eyes of a gunman to understand their fear?
If we all want better lives for ourselves, then why don’t others, completely dislocated from your life, deserve the same? Not only are they worthy of such, but why do you insist it actually pertains to you?
Empathy has become an American scarcity. We practice it on small scales with our close loved ones, but that is too easy. Large-scale empathy combats inhumanity, but we, every form of human being, are a part of humanity. Where is the discrepancy?
It is no longer sufficient to remain optimistic. Because within the next four years, we will likely see mass destruction, depleted cultural values and standards, and a reversion toward the ghastly history that carved the sculpture of what America is today. When you ask yourself why there is so much wrong with the world, maybe it will become more clear when you look in the mirror.
It is okay to reminisce on better days. I’m sure we can all recall times when the world did not appear to be on fire. But we can no longer rely on “not knowing we miss something until it’s gone.” Because perhaps you gave power to the one who might take it all away.
So what is it going to take to see that?
cole manasco 