LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION

“Let’s have a Conversation”

If there is one thing to be said about our culture and society, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. This world is just a kaleidoscope of thoughts about everything from doing right from wrong, good versus evil and the strong against the weak. We have been through so much in our history from Europeans settling in America, the Civil War between the North and the South, and the oppression of women and minority groups including blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Century after Century we have fought for human rights and have made much progress like abolishing slavery, giving women the opportunity to vote, and legally providing minorities with their civil rights.

Not only do we have a war amongst other countries, we have a war against one another in the United States. It seems like the wealthy elite want to only provide for the top one or two percent of the country and not help the lower classes. This social inequality is becoming the downfall of our society. Why do the fortunate not want to help the less fortunate? Every person deserves health care, education, and to earn a living wage. I think this quote from Helen Keller sums up the situation which is very insightful from a woman who couldn’t see but saw so much. “Until the great mass of people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each others welfare, social justice can never be attained.”

One assessment I can make that has not been made with the recent tragedy and others that have happened previously regarding the individuals that committed these crimes. Some might be deranged, psychotic criminals, lost individuals suffering from mental illness, or bullied teenagers who have been harassed and victimized and are seeking retaliation. I tend to believe in some of these cases, the individuals were bullied and harassed and sought to seek retaliation against their perpetrators. Obviously, there is no justification even with being bullied to turn around and commit murder or to take innocent lives. I say this because I was bullied for seven years during sixth grade to my senior year of high school. I know the feeling of loneliness, isolation, pain, and embarrassment with being verbally and physically harassed on a daily basis. I experienced the feelings of wanting to retaliate against my tormentors. I wanted to stand up or get even with them. But, I didn’t resort to violence because violence only perpetuates more violence. Unfortunately, the majority of society hasn’t learned this lesson. Going to war, enforcing the death penalty, or buying more guns is not going to solve the problems of our violent society. Perhaps we should advocate peace in the world? Initiate a national database registry for guns and enforce stricter rules and regulations. Instead of the death penalty, have criminals live out their life sentences in a prison and not a recreational facility. Should convicted murderers, rapists and pedophiles be able to free health care and earn their college degree when law abiding citizens do not have these same amenities or can barely afford them? There should be a reevaluation of our prison system as criminals should not be rewarded with their bad behavior with living in the lap of luxury with television, exercise equipment and game room activities.

It’s time to reflect on our values as a society.  We value materialism over humanity. All people deserve human rights. Why are we so willing to protect the Constitution particularly the Second Amendment with the right to bear arms but are willing to amend the Constitution to declare that marriage is only legal between a man and a woman. Every single human being deserves the same rights regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, political or religious affiliation.

We have a nation addicted to violence. The news programs, television shows, and movies reflect our violent prone society. Modern technology has had an effect on individuals in the last twenty or so years like no generation before with 24 hour cable news, the creation of the internet and social media like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. We have a society of individuals fixated on instant gratification, entitlement and privilege.

With the mass shootings we have endured over the last two decades in schools, malls and churches, there is a debate over whether we need more guns in our society or have more gun control. The Second Amendment states "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The Second Amendment was written in the Eighteenth Century when the right to bear arms was considered to be a musket or a cannon, not an assault weapon which is available in the twenty-first century.  Also, the internet was not a factor at the time the Second Amendment was created where now citizens can illegally obtain weapons and ammunition with no background checks or licensing. Personally, I do not need a gun or want a gun. However, I am not suggesting no one should have a gun but there needs to be rules and regulations that are monitored for responsible gun ownership. The same type of process should be implemented and enforced like vehicle, license and state identification registration. There should be background and mental health screenings prior to be able to obtain a permit to buy and own any type of firearm. No, this will not keep all violence from happening in society but should we not try to do everything humanly possible to prevent violence? Should we just throw our hands up in the air and say “Oh well?” Let’s implement a national database with registered gun owners so we have some accountability. Yes, there will always be a criminal element that will obtain weapons illegally but we have to do what we can to find a solution to end the violence. We cannot just have a ticker tape parade and throw out free guns to everyone like their confetti. We need to try to protect every individual with as many resources as humanly possible. Every human being has the right to live in a safe and peaceful environment.

There is a quote by the beloved poet Maya Angelou that sums up how we should respond to all the current issues of today that we are battling - marriage equality, human rights, gun control, finance reform, war and peace. Angelou passionately states “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” This should be the philosophy that we follow in the world towards our fellow man that when we know better, we do better.

Acknowledgments

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”  Maya Angelou

“Until the great mass of people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each others welfare, social justice can never be attained.” Helen Keller