I really want this blog to be a source of encouragement, a light in an unkind world. I don't intend to use this platform for any political agenda. However there is a growing trend that is really disturbing to me, and I want to address it. I know all of you won't agree, and that's OK. I just ask that you read with an open mind, and an open heart.
There is currently a call to arms in America for us to be nice to each other. To stop judging and shaming each other based on religion and societal norms. To end bullying, to allow the LGBT community to thrive, and silence the blatant (and sometimes extremely subtle) racism here. These are all things I can get behind. I agree with that. Sadly though, many of my friends speak or write with dissent regarding these ideas. It often comes in the form of "America has lost it's values" "Just mind your own business" "You do't deserve __"(insert wage, marriage, etc here) The one that REALLY gets me is "This isn't how we did it when I was a ___"(kid, active duty, etc here) Of course it's not!!! We are calling for change...which requires CHANGE! We have become so complacent in our segregation. Comfortable in our thinking that someone else has it worse, and you know what? It's their OWN fault! The world pits us against each other. Middle class vs. Poor; Christians vs. LGBT community; Military AGAINST civilians. Stop it.
I challenge you to talk to people outside of your comfort zone. Spend some time really contemplating what it is like being a gay person, a black person, an atheist, a muslim, a christian, a white person, a military person, a cop....really try to empathize the completely different experiences these people might go through in America. Talk to people you don't usually talk to. LOVE PEOPLE YOU DON'T USUALLY LOVE.
It takes extreme bravery to be kind in an unkind world. BE BRAVE
There is currently a call to arms in America for us to be nice to each other. To stop judging and shaming each other based on religion and societal norms. To end bullying, to allow the LGBT community to thrive, and silence the blatant (and sometimes extremely subtle) racism here. These are all things I can get behind. I agree with that. Sadly though, many of my friends speak or write with dissent regarding these ideas. It often comes in the form of "America has lost it's values" "Just mind your own business" "You do't deserve __"(insert wage, marriage, etc here) The one that REALLY gets me is "This isn't how we did it when I was a ___"(kid, active duty, etc here) Of course it's not!!! We are calling for change...which requires CHANGE! We have become so complacent in our segregation. Comfortable in our thinking that someone else has it worse, and you know what? It's their OWN fault! The world pits us against each other. Middle class vs. Poor; Christians vs. LGBT community; Military AGAINST civilians. Stop it.
I challenge you to talk to people outside of your comfort zone. Spend some time really contemplating what it is like being a gay person, a black person, an atheist, a muslim, a christian, a white person, a military person, a cop....really try to empathize the completely different experiences these people might go through in America. Talk to people you don't usually talk to. LOVE PEOPLE YOU DON'T USUALLY LOVE.
It takes extreme bravery to be kind in an unkind world. BE BRAVE