It has been quite a while since I've posted on here. Sorry to my one follower.. But I posted a Facebook status today for the first time in God only knows how long and I felt that I should share it here as well. It's a message that came to me when I saw a photo of a woman who was caught stealing eggs (photo below). Instead of arresting her, some officers bought her truckloads of food so that she could feed her children and grandchildren. I've weighed in on the media before, but here goes round 2. *ding ding*
I know this photo doesn't really reference any of the recent senseless loss of life that has struck our nation, but it does send a message to me that I would like to share with everyone.
In today's culture the media fuels everything. Even social media has become a catalyst for all kinds of movements. Many movements gain recognition and loyal followers through these social platforms. If there is one post on my feed that is pro #blacklivesmatter, it is guaranteed that the next post I see is going to be the same video/photo/article but shared with #bluelivesmatter. You're all sharing the same thing and seeing it in different ways. And that's great. We are a diverse nation, and we all have our own opinions and beliefs. That helps us learn from each other and grow as a community.
The point I want to make with this photo is that for every act of violence that the media infests our every waking moment with, from television to social media, to iPhone notifications and hashtags; there are probably more than 10 occurrences of love, brotherhood, and compassion that we know nothing about. The media fuels our hate by being in our face constantly. If hate is all we see, it's all we will know. I don't care if you don't like FOXNews because it's too conservative, or dislike MSNBC because it's too liberal; the fact is that all media is dishonest in some way or another. They are always going to be skewed to their point of view. We have to unite as Americans, or better yet, as a human race, and live our lives in a way that creates a better tomorrow. Don't base your actions and judgements on a headline. Base it on what's best for your neighbor, friend, or loved one.
It's great to take a stand for social justice and I wholeheartedly agree that our nation has a problem that needs to be fixed. But that stand shouldn't be against our fellow man. Violence begets violence. If you are constantly tearing someone else down you do not have the energy to build anyone else up. Instead of being negative let's create a culture of understanding, forgiveness, fellowship, and compassion for our fellow man. Create a community that cares for and helps one another. We do have a problem. But it's not with the police. Or with Isis. Or with African Americans. Or with Muslims. Or with Westboro Baptist. Our issue is with our hearts. It just doesn't seem like people value the life of the person sitting across from them anymore. And that - be it hatred, racism, apathy, ignorance, or selfishness - that is the problem.
As the great philosopher Ozzy Osbourne once said: "maybe it's not too late to learn how to love and forget how to hate."
Hope you all have a blessed day. Tell someone that you love them today. Help a neighbor. Protest peacefully. Be the voice of reason in a conflict. Be the change. Love wins.
