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LIFE SECTION: One Step Forward for Race, Two Steps Back for Self
Every decade society takes on change for the better of man. Moving forward with the best intentions, unfolding our eminent backlash. We move one step forward and two steps back as the "we" is revealed, at the door of progression. We honor one type of character trait and then we abolish another, all simultaneously.
Since the beginning, the European occupancy of America, 100's and 100's of years in practicing racism because our ancestors had a plight for greed. Those days, church bells rang, a gospel was preached and picnics gathered neighbors. American culture did respect some character traits. Your reputation was your honor and your word an obligation to upheld. Then, man stayed with wife, children knew their father and your neighbors worries became your prayers. Family and friendships were of more value, than your prosperity. Even the stranger who lived on the other side of town was deserving of your last slice of bread. We carried the burdens of each other, we sought communion and saw each face, as a resemblance of our own; unfortunately, the face we saw was that of the same, the same race.
The great compassion for the same skin color is our history- "To love your own." Other atrocities have stayed with us too. Women have always been raped. Children have always been violated and molested. This has not changed. History pressed on, cultural embrace became politically correct but two steps back came parallel to America. This story is Americas lineage. This story is true of all nations. These stories belong to the whole world.
We look back fondly, wishing today carried courage, togetherness and empathy. We also look back with sorrow at the inhumane cruelty done against our brothers in the human race. The wars, the picketing, the fighting against immoral laws brought us the truth, in this theory of love towards mankind.
To feel remorse for a stranger has dwindled our hands to the giving of pennies, while our backs turn to TV. The back steps of our society is ripe and doing well.
Today, we have wiser laws, more knowledge, more acceptance in differences but we're now we've taken on a New Nature, "Who cares about anyone else anymore." We're a product of change over time and selfish gain. We have passions for self, at all cost. Our own is our family, our children, our problems, our dreams and not yours. We celebrate choice, freedom of expression with a consequence, an impact, that the ideals of community, is without a war in our hearts. The callousness of the global heart has grown so large, that posing solutions of inquiring knowledge, self-help books, experts of the human mind, now removes action and change. We're individuals of solitude, standing still with self-loathing.
Even today, God is now unconstitutional. Our hearts don't cry out for the dead who are thousands of miles away. Our minds seek to escape that which once did burden us. Sexual immorality is a non existent conviction, because its very definition belittles independence of your intimate individual exploration. No matter the cost to society. TV offers no imagination, where the radio stimulated a story you could discern on your own. We watch television in fullness where all types of behavior is directed and produced by the finger of creativity. We can watch a person having an affair as the quiet camera approaches its desired position, your perceptions being controlled, by them. We can walk away feeling compassion for the adulterer and little for the victim. We can see someone kill many people, as the finger of directing shows its glory,-- to conquer and kill is power.
Today, so many are depressed and feel helpless. So many pity parties of "I hate my life" and questioning why. Eating abundantly and having shelter, was a past generations greatest hope and greatest life long challenge. Years in the fields, in the farms, droughts and a hard life, gave people mental stimulation from the sun, physical activity in labor and a healthier mindset for what should matter, your character. To love your own skin was the American history, where fruits of love did display itself in likeness but no where else.
To love someone of another skin color is today's teaching but some still don't have this value yet in their hearts. Prejudice and racism hasn't gone away, but clearly steps are being walked by society yet two steps back wards has imprinted other losses.
To have a handful friends is a desert land of no happy. To have a job, is a desert land of no work ethic. To have your health, is a desert land of obesity and over indulgence. We are a society of "To Haves" and such progress in two steps back reveals- " I want more for myself. I want less for you." Are we better off now? Have we exchanged one character weakness for another? Have we taken what was "our own" in the past and replaced it with a present "our own"? When did an honorable death reveal more reward than a cowards life?Is survival of the fittest still at all cost?
Truly I would rather live today, than any other century and not because we have made great steps in honor and love but because one step forward has been walked, so hope remains.
"There's a sight that comes with courage that holds dear the evolving fears of the unknown. Whatever mans history was or is today its certainly not one of integrity, nor has it ever been. I am just living in a different decade where the solitude of ones individual climb, is one I just cant watch anymore." -Raven Smith
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psychofun---Loved what you wrote!
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Should we question a path which leads to the place you want to be? Remember it is the journey you can learn most from & not just "being at the destination". Also, I think it really depends what you view. You can always see positive or negative from the same event. All the examples of good...people dropping everything to travel & help strangers at 9/11 or Katrina, and so many everyday examples that we never hear about. I just saw "Something New" tonight & man was it great! So many things to learn from in that movie! I hope everyone goes to see it. Yes, I'm drooling over Simon Baker but even Alfre Woodard said it is a movie the cast is proud of because it is a conversation starter. To see the issues which turn the finger to the self rather than just to others. To see what Love really is. To see the path that does get you to the destination. Sometimes 2 steps back is needed. I had posted an entry on a very brave woman who dared to make a difference in Georgia by suggesting 2 segregated proms was stupid. They did have 1 prom & then the next year went back to 2...but then the following year back to 1! Progression & healing takes time but so what? What is the alternative...not to try? I will never give up!
2/21/06 4:08 PM
When we read the Bible we find that from the beginning after mankind's fall into sin that race has been an issue with man's sinful heart. It comes with greed, envy, pride and other sins that fill us. We still have racial hatred between Arabs and Jews that have gone on because of the sin of Abraham and Sara producing an Arab son because they did not trust in God and decided to take His will into their own hands trying to make it happen. Mankind's only hope as I see it is to give our lives over to Christ to give us a transformation of the heart. A heart transplant that changes the sin in our hearts against races to love in our hearts for ALL races. I believe God, Who IS LOVE, Himself, is the only one that can accomplish that IN us. In His love.......Pamela