We are on the threshold of a huge change in our country. The entire nation is starting to go further into an ego driven society, mostly plagued by our own insecurities. The main problem is, no one wants to call anyone else out on it. The time for change has come, and it is up to you to make the difference.
Many are probably curious as to what I am talking about. When was the last time you drove down the road, and no one tailgated you? You can got 15 over the speed limit, yet someone will still be on your bumper trying to push you out of their way. Why? We all know that this behavior is not just dangerous, but also highly illegal. Minimum safe distance is not an option, it is a requirement if we are all to get to our destinations safely. I know that I have had this happen on a daily basis here in Columbus, Ohio, and it does confuse me. I do not understand why people have to be in such a rush to get to where they are going, especially when they are only going to Blockbuster or Kroger. When was the last time someone held the door open for you at a store or restaurant? When was the last time someone let you go in front of them in line at the grocery or even in traffic?
We are witnessing, not for the first time, the shift of mentality in America. What is different this time, is the complete disregard that we, as a country, are starting to develop towards our fellow citizens. The death of manners is well underway. We can blame this on many things. Introduction of different cultures into our own does shape our own mindset on the way we interact. The developments within the government can create a deeply divided and partisan society where people are angry at everyone and everything. Psychologist point to our frustration that life is not as calm as it once was, we are more insecure as a nation, and typically, when people are more insecure, they act more conceded. And the blatant disregard for safety and well being, the move towards a much more consumer mentality, especially on the high end of the economic scale, shows exactly how wrapped up we are becoming in our images, and what we have rather than who we are.
We are able to see it start in school. There has been a drastic movement to teach our children all about any type of "minority" centered information, with a direct opposition to "Euro-centric" thinking or history. Due to this, many students cannot even explain to you what the Magna Carta is, or why the year 1066 is important. How many high school-aged kids can tell you about the Crusades, or about the Ottoman Empire? Emily Dickenson, or heck, even Charles Dickenson for that matter? Not many. We have become so scared to say anything, for the fear of being labeled a racist, or discriminating, or what not, that we do not dare give our children the knowledge that they need. We are too busy teaching about every culture out there, that we have lost our own. Think about it for just a moment. Why is it ok to have Black History or Hispanic History month, but not European History month? Why do we have to shy away from the nations the helped to create our own? Why do we not study history objectively, instead of letting groups tells us that we have to teach what they tell us to?
Move on further into teens and adulthood. In my Freshman English class in college, half of the students had no idea who Jonathan Swift is, or why "A Modest Proposal" made such an impact when it was published. However, 85% knew who Malcom X was. In addition, many of the people in the class were more concerned with Abercrombie's new line of clothes, and when they were getting their new car then they were about studying, or what they would do with a degree in society. None really cared about the war, or politics, or the economy, just what they could buy with a credit card. Most psychologists agree that this is the physical embodiment of the insecurities that we are facing as a nation.
Under this ideal, we as a nation, are confronted with everything slowly failing in the country. We are presented with a government that is lying and spying, a war that most do not agree with, rising prices, a horrible economy, no job growth, and let's face it, we can't afford what we once could. Because of this reason, we are no longer comfortable having what we can afford. Not since credit was offered to the masses, and we have lapped it up without hesitation. America is slowly starting to fall further into debt, both as a country and as a people. We do not know how to put away the charge cards anymore, and we cannot own a car past 4 years. This has slowly convinced people that they are can afford the same things as a doctor and a lawyer, and if that is the case, then they have the right to walk around with their noses in the air. It is just like the old adage, "Give trailer trash money, they are still trailer trash, except now, they can afford a much bigger trailer." Hello Britney Spears.
With this said, I challenge each of you to change the way you interact with people. Not your friends or your family, with strangers. Let someone infront of you in line at the store. Hold the door open for someone. Say please and thank you. If you are a tailgater, back off and follow the law. If you get tailgated, reduce your speed to the legal speed limit, don't flip them off, and just go on your way. We need to cut the tension people, if not, we are all going to snap, and that is not a good thing.
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Comments: 9
Let me speak on that as an issue to see if you can see thru my eyes for a bit. I am a man of African descent who has been fortunate to reach the age of 61. When I was in school the only history I was exposed to was "Euro-centric." From an educational point of view it was as if my ancestors had no history except an occasional mention of George Washington Carver
or perhaps something slurry in the mentioning of Adam Clayton Powell. For some reason school book publishers refused to include "ME" in their writings so as a natural course of things information was readily spread thru churches, fraternal organizations and other community resources. As time moved on more and more of my generation demanded to be fairly included in the history of the US and the world yet found a mental bloc against it. Thus, as time moved on to where we are now you find sporadic inclusions in different school districts of mentions of my history. If you check various school districts you'll find a great number, even today, barely mention but a limited or cursory few words of the contributions of any citizens but Euro-Centric. There appears to be an explicit understanding that the only or best history which is to be seen as legitimate is Euro-centric.
That is the overwhelming attitude I have found all my life which brings me to Black History or Hispanic History Month. I can see that implicit overriding consideration in your words. If they can have it why can't I. Like in so many issues which involve race one of the major problems which "must" be hurdled is honesty and truth in the consideration. If all which I see is "you" and all I experience is you what is wrong with me having a month to reflect and celebrate my heritage? You have it for twelve months of the year but you desire to contest my desire to have the spot light on me for a month? Am I to make myself invisible? No, I am here and want me spotlighted just like you do.
I love Emily Dickinson but I also love Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, Paul Lawrence Dunbar and a long list of other writers and poets of African descent. Should I understand they should not be treated as important to the soul of America as those of European descent or would their inclusion in school books somehow water down the glory already established by tradition.
While you and I both might disdain the lousy driver too close to our rear end I am listening to tapes of poets of both European and African descent while from your article would I be erroneous to understand you concentrate only on European poets?
Other than the "minority" implication I enjoyed your article.
You, as an Afro-American who has lived through the huge integration movement, should understand that ALL cultures are important to the growth in our country. The evil of the KKK has been exposed and almost annihilated, the Miss America Beauty Pageant has been integrated and even won by some Afro-American Contestants. The USA has taken big steps to ensure that All Americans are free and treated equally. (I know that doesn't happen in all areas because there are always some in BOTH races who will remain prejudice regardless!) The Afro-American community has its own organizations that remain biased. There is a Miss Afro-American Beauty contest every year that only allows the same to apply. There are Black colleges that do not allow Caucasian students. Prejudice remains on both sides.
Jonathon's point about courtesy and respect is well taken. Many American homes are raising children to disregard others and think only of themselves. I don't believe this is intentional, but the result of both parents having to work and then assailing their guilt feelings about not being with their children by drowning them with expensive toys and expensive clothes. The basics of human rights are overlooked so naturally these "latch key" kids grow up self-absorbed. They not only expect the best of everything, they demand it.
Spencer, you have demonstrated the exact issue that I am referencing. You forget that I also deal with prejudice being a gay male, and let's face it, being white these days is not easy. We are the only group of people who are not allowed to have a white only anything, but blacks, hispanic, all can. My entire issue here is that the racism everywhere should stop and we should be including everyone in all aspects. It is not fair for a white man to not allow a black man in his club, and the reverse is also true. If people will only argue that it is unfair for whites, but ok for blacks and hispanics, then those people are demonstrating the same racism that they are claiming to fight against. They are being just as racist as any white person out there.
Road, you are the person that flies up everyone's bumper who, the general public are tired of. Slow lane is right, that is correct, but if I am in the slow lane, I will be damned to move out of your way because you cannot follow the LAW. End of discussion on that issue.
See, funny thing is, the person following the law is not doing it because they want to control you, they are doing it becuase they are good citizens. You, by breaking the law, or anyone who does, are the ones putting lives in jepordy by weaving in and out at a high speed on your phone ignoring the laws and others on the road. People like you are the reason that we are loosing manners and all reasoning in this country. Keep doing what you are doing and either you will wind up wrecking or getting caught, so either way, you will understand the penalty for your actions.