As everyone knows, Osama Bin Laden has been killed by US forces in Pakistan. There was a fire fight, he was shot in the head, and he was buried at sea within 24 hours, as dictated by Islamic Law.
I find myself conflicted in this situation. I have two sides of me, both equally as passionate.
Side One - Happiness
This man murdered countless innocent people. I think of 9/11, as well as the other terrorist attacks that he had a hand in, and what justice they must feel. I think of how I would feel if Michael or Naomi were murdered in this way - how would I handle it? Would I be happy? Would I feel relief? Or would I just want it to be over? I don't believe in the death penalty, but I am happy that this evil man is no longer among the living.
Side Two - Relief, but sadness
While I feel relief and happiness, I am saddened by how intensly people are celebrating his death. I think it is appropriate for people to say "I'm glad he's gone" blah blah blah, but some of the comments that I hear are shocking, to say the least. For example, "I wanted him tortured, torn apart, burned, and spread amongst a pile of shit" and "Burn in hell" take me aback, to be honest. The intense celebrations in the streets eerily reminded of the middle-eastern countries that had burning flags and dragging bodies through the streets. Now, don't get me wrong, Americans were not doing that...not even close. But mass celebrations of a man's death, no matter how evil, kind of hurt my heart. We, as Americans, are better than that. And, as far as "Burn in hell" is concerned - for those of us who believe in God, heaven, hell, and the second coming, is it right for us to wish this? Are we being hypocritical to not wish that he repented the sins that he committed on earth? What one must remember, if they indeed believe in heaven and hell, is that God states that all sins are created equal, and those who repent will be welcomed into the gates of heaven.
Obviously, none of us knows whether or not he repented, nor will we ever know. However, I don't want him to burn in hell - and I don't want to see anyone burn in hell. I want to see all people forgiven of their sins, and to experience heaven, if there indeed is one. (That's a bit of my cynical side coming out - please forgive my questioning of heaven and hell in the first place).
MLK, Jr. once made this statement (Update: I found out that MLK, Jr. actually didn't say this, but I like it anyway, so there.):
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."— Martin Luther King Jr.
I feel that this is a good reminder for us all. After internal reflection, I have decided that I am relieved, and part of me happy to hear of his death - not for revenge, but to breath a little easier at night. Will this end all terrorism? Of course not - but it sends the message that America will not be taken down by cowards who use fear to make a point.
I encourage all, no matter what walk of life, to push down their hatred for this man, and for all who kill out of hatred, spite, etc. Be relieved that he's gone, but don't let hate consume you. Life is too short for that, and I want light and love in this world, especially for my daughter.
Showing posts with label Deep Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deep Thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Distortion of Our Past
With the wide range of suicides happening in our country due to bullying, I began to think about the past.
No matter what clique you were in during high school, chances are there was another clique you looked at and said "hey, I want to be like them", "omg, they dress hideously", "so and so has 'issues'", etc. Looking back at my high school days, here are the "cliques" I remember running around - and the weird thing is, with only 99 kids in my graduating class, lots of kids were in multiple cliques. I don't know if that was the norm everywhere else, but it was for my school.
There were the guy jocks, who thought they were the shit. They walked around with their football jerseys on, and worked on intimidating those around them.
There were the girl jocks, who, although they seemed nice, they would talk about your horrible performance at the track meet when they thought you weren't looking.
There were the band geeks, who learned that changing on the same bus with members of the opposite sex could be fun.
There were the musical geeks, who ended up just messing around back stage and in the audience during practices. Many of these students believed their shit didn't stink, and they were often talking about others and how they "didn't deserve that part".
There were the brainy kids, who had their heads in books all of the time, and didn't care about what was going on around them.
There were the nerdy guys, who practically peed their pants when a girl they liked came anywhere near them.
There were the nerdy girls, who tried to find love no matter where it was.
Then you have the posers, the dreamers, the ones with "issues", the teasers, the bullies, and every other stereotype out there.
I have now been out of high school for almost 9 years, and I've realized how absolutely distorted our pasts are. We all had this warped idea that everyone fit into a mold, and would stay the same until they were 104.
I'll be honest - if you know me, you know that I had some "issues" in high school. Yep, I was one of those people. I attempted suicide, cut myself, and wished that I was a "cool kid". I tried so hard to be liked, to fit in, and to be what other people wanted me to be. These "issues" were ridiculed, pointed out, and used against me, even by parents of fellow students. Although I had a diagnosable and treatable illness, the misconceptions of that illness followed me everywhere. It made it hard for me to go to school, or to even function in my small town - the same town that I loved up until then.
Even though I myself was ridiculed, I also ridiculed other people. I was not immune to the viciousness that circulates high schools. I remember distinctly teasing students who were different than myself. I remember teasing a girl who obviously hadn't washed her hair in multiple days. For someone who was teased, I certainly teased others with as much furor as those who teased me. It was a vicious cycle.
After graduation, I peaced out - I never wanted to go back to that town. There, everyone knew I had "issues". I started college, and realized that I indeed was "ok". People liked me for who I was, and I didn't have to change myself for other people. I grew up. I still couldn't go back to my hometown without having a panic attack (thanks, Post Traumatic Stress!), but I was getting there. I kept thinking, "HA, I bet some people didn't even get OUT of that town!". I refused to go to my 5 year reunion, thinking that it was just going to be a re-hash of gossip, whispers, and teasing.
Fast forward some years. The monster that is Facebook arrived in 2004(ish), and it exploded. First, I was friends with only college friends, then Michael's college friends, then I got a friend invite from someone from HS.
As time has gone on, I've been able to not only see myself grow, but those I stereotyped? I've seen them grow and thrive as adults as well. Many have families, husbands, careers, dogs, cats, deaths, divorces, and family scandals. Some have found God, some have found pot, and some have become political activists. Some have gone to war, others to college, and some started their own business. Those people that I thought were the most beautiful or the nicest are actually not all that pretty or not all that nice. Some of the nerdy ones are the most successful; some of the most popular are doing great things for less fortunate populations; some of the meanest are actually now fighting for the little guy.
My point, after all this, is that our past is distorted. We see what we want to see. We sometimes continue to feel what we felt when we go somewhere from our past. Thankfully, I can now go to my hometown without all the panic, but I would prefer to just avoid it. I realize that I teased others, and feel guilty how I projected my own insecurities onto other people. I'm not sure what happened to the girl I teased about her hair, but it left a big impact on me - but probably not as much as I made on her. I hope that she is doing alright.
Now, almost a decade later, I am able to objectively look at my entire high school and say "I really hope they are doing well for themselves". I realize that not going to my 5 year reunion was probably a good idea, but that it would also be good for me to go to my 10 year reunion.
As much as I still want to be bitter towards situations that happened, I remind myself that I'm a pretty changed person - and so is everyone else. We've all had those big moments: the cringe-worthy ones; the life-changing ones; the exciting ones; the sad ones.
Everyone who bullied others were bullied by someone. Everyone who was bullied also bullied someone. We all had our doubts, fears, and bad moments. We were all at the same level - just no one told us that.
As we move through the rest of our lives, we have a responsibility to pay our experiences forward - stop bullying, and be a good example to our children. There should be no excuse for an adult to bully someone else - and we should treat our children the same.
Positive thoughts to those who have lost someone due to bullying, and to those who are still working through the scars of bullying. I hope you can get past it soon.
No matter what clique you were in during high school, chances are there was another clique you looked at and said "hey, I want to be like them", "omg, they dress hideously", "so and so has 'issues'", etc. Looking back at my high school days, here are the "cliques" I remember running around - and the weird thing is, with only 99 kids in my graduating class, lots of kids were in multiple cliques. I don't know if that was the norm everywhere else, but it was for my school.
There were the guy jocks, who thought they were the shit. They walked around with their football jerseys on, and worked on intimidating those around them.
There were the girl jocks, who, although they seemed nice, they would talk about your horrible performance at the track meet when they thought you weren't looking.
There were the band geeks, who learned that changing on the same bus with members of the opposite sex could be fun.
There were the musical geeks, who ended up just messing around back stage and in the audience during practices. Many of these students believed their shit didn't stink, and they were often talking about others and how they "didn't deserve that part".
There were the brainy kids, who had their heads in books all of the time, and didn't care about what was going on around them.
There were the nerdy guys, who practically peed their pants when a girl they liked came anywhere near them.
There were the nerdy girls, who tried to find love no matter where it was.
Then you have the posers, the dreamers, the ones with "issues", the teasers, the bullies, and every other stereotype out there.
I have now been out of high school for almost 9 years, and I've realized how absolutely distorted our pasts are. We all had this warped idea that everyone fit into a mold, and would stay the same until they were 104.
I'll be honest - if you know me, you know that I had some "issues" in high school. Yep, I was one of those people. I attempted suicide, cut myself, and wished that I was a "cool kid". I tried so hard to be liked, to fit in, and to be what other people wanted me to be. These "issues" were ridiculed, pointed out, and used against me, even by parents of fellow students. Although I had a diagnosable and treatable illness, the misconceptions of that illness followed me everywhere. It made it hard for me to go to school, or to even function in my small town - the same town that I loved up until then.
Even though I myself was ridiculed, I also ridiculed other people. I was not immune to the viciousness that circulates high schools. I remember distinctly teasing students who were different than myself. I remember teasing a girl who obviously hadn't washed her hair in multiple days. For someone who was teased, I certainly teased others with as much furor as those who teased me. It was a vicious cycle.
After graduation, I peaced out - I never wanted to go back to that town. There, everyone knew I had "issues". I started college, and realized that I indeed was "ok". People liked me for who I was, and I didn't have to change myself for other people. I grew up. I still couldn't go back to my hometown without having a panic attack (thanks, Post Traumatic Stress!), but I was getting there. I kept thinking, "HA, I bet some people didn't even get OUT of that town!". I refused to go to my 5 year reunion, thinking that it was just going to be a re-hash of gossip, whispers, and teasing.
Fast forward some years. The monster that is Facebook arrived in 2004(ish), and it exploded. First, I was friends with only college friends, then Michael's college friends, then I got a friend invite from someone from HS.
As time has gone on, I've been able to not only see myself grow, but those I stereotyped? I've seen them grow and thrive as adults as well. Many have families, husbands, careers, dogs, cats, deaths, divorces, and family scandals. Some have found God, some have found pot, and some have become political activists. Some have gone to war, others to college, and some started their own business. Those people that I thought were the most beautiful or the nicest are actually not all that pretty or not all that nice. Some of the nerdy ones are the most successful; some of the most popular are doing great things for less fortunate populations; some of the meanest are actually now fighting for the little guy.
My point, after all this, is that our past is distorted. We see what we want to see. We sometimes continue to feel what we felt when we go somewhere from our past. Thankfully, I can now go to my hometown without all the panic, but I would prefer to just avoid it. I realize that I teased others, and feel guilty how I projected my own insecurities onto other people. I'm not sure what happened to the girl I teased about her hair, but it left a big impact on me - but probably not as much as I made on her. I hope that she is doing alright.
Now, almost a decade later, I am able to objectively look at my entire high school and say "I really hope they are doing well for themselves". I realize that not going to my 5 year reunion was probably a good idea, but that it would also be good for me to go to my 10 year reunion.
As much as I still want to be bitter towards situations that happened, I remind myself that I'm a pretty changed person - and so is everyone else. We've all had those big moments: the cringe-worthy ones; the life-changing ones; the exciting ones; the sad ones.
Everyone who bullied others were bullied by someone. Everyone who was bullied also bullied someone. We all had our doubts, fears, and bad moments. We were all at the same level - just no one told us that.
As we move through the rest of our lives, we have a responsibility to pay our experiences forward - stop bullying, and be a good example to our children. There should be no excuse for an adult to bully someone else - and we should treat our children the same.
Positive thoughts to those who have lost someone due to bullying, and to those who are still working through the scars of bullying. I hope you can get past it soon.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Humanity knows no borders.
So, this isn't necessarily a pregnancy post, but I needed to get it out there anyway.
I keep hearing the following statement: "I feel bad for Haiti...but we need to take care of our own country first!"
Now, here I have an opportunity to be all nice, and explain my opinion in the kindest of ways. But ya know what? I don't feel like it. So often I want to "keep the peace" and listen to all sides, but I get completely fired up about this. And it's my blog, so I can say whatever I damn well please.
What has happened to our world when we completely focus on ourselves? What kind of place do we live in if it's fight for ourselves? It seems as if we are in purely survival mode, even when we don't necessarily need to fight each other.
I will discuss this in two parts.
One - "We don't do anything for our own country!"
Although I agree that we don't have the best processes in this country, there are many, many, many assistance programs designed to assist American citizens. It's not perfect - however, there are organizations across this country who help citizens, as well as government assistance programs to help. AGAIN, not perfect, and we could do a whole hell of a lot better - but our country DOES help people who live here. (The fact that we need to help MORE IS OUT THERE - but my point is that it's not like we are COMPLETELY ignoring our own people. We just don't offer the best right now.)
Two - "I care about ________ but..."
Dear world, humanity has no borders. I don't give a shit if you live next door, across the street, in the next country. I don't care if you a white, black, german, asian, mexican. I don't care if you are living in this country "legally" or "illegally". I don't care if you can ever help me back - at one point, everyone needs help. In this particular situation, Haiti needs supplies, needs help. I am damn proud of our country for stepping up and helping them out. I don't think it necessarily has to be financial - sending doctors, etc will help. In the end, the people who are there need help. Just like people in other countries experiencing genocide, natural disasters, and poor living conditions need help.
There are ways this nation helps out people, whether it's domestically or abroad - don't go running around saying "But we need to help our people!" We are helping our people, and although we have a long way to go, we cannot ignore what is happening in this world.
Forget about countries and governments for a minute. The people that are hurting next door, across the street, or across the world - they bleed red, too. They have minds, spirits, souls. They have the same nutritional and psychological needs that we do. Why is it that borders of a country get in the way? What makes an American citizen so much more important that a citizen of another country?
Some may say "Well, they are using tax money to pay for assistance to other countries". While you may have a point, are you so hard hearted that you feel that some of your tax dollars go towards getting water and aid to a country who is in desperate need of it?
Others may say, "Well, look at Hurricane Katrina - why did it take so long for them to get stuff to the Superdome, and it only took 24 hours to get to Haiti?" Well, because FEMA f-ed up, that's why. If I am correct, the Red Cross is a non-profit organization - they are the ones sending most of the aid at this point - and while the gov't is donating money, I don't think it's through FEMA.
AGAIN, I think our country needs to improve on a LOT - government assistance programs, health care, etc. But we can't forget about our freaking fellow human beings.
It absolutely shocks me that people are upset about helping other people in this way. Do you remember how other countries came to our aid with Katrina hit? Or what about 9/11? If my daughter needed help, if she was sick, if she was in an earthquake, if she needed medical attention - I would want someone to help us! Is that so much to ask?
If you give something to someone - say, volunteer your time, give $5, whatever - do you expect something back other than gratitude? If so, you are doing it for the wrong reasons, my friend. If someone helped my daughter, our family, I would try to not only pay them back, but I would do the same for something else. In the end, it's about helping your fellow human beings.
I'm not sure what it is about different nations/borders that make people less likely to support our gov't assisting other gov'ts in a time of need, but get the hell over it.
I could start another blog on how our country can improve on helping our own population - but that's a whole other topic, which I will probably address later.
But in the end, here is my basics: help where help is needed, regardless of background, circumstance, socio-economic status, or citizenship. Stop this bullshit of "well, they should help themselves" - I mean that domestically AND in emergency situations abroad. Is money tight for our gov't? You betcha, but we spend STUPID amounts of money on bullshit around here - and we bitch and complain about helping people live and eat after an earthquake. You have got to be shitting me.
So, if you agree with me, great. If you don't, fine. But I would hope that someone would come help your child, your spouse, your parents if faced with a dire situation. Or would your opinion stay the same, your pride get in the way and say "I want to do it myself because I don't want to cost the gov't money?".
I hope that you don't have to live in dire circumstances that people in our country AND around the world live in. If you are reading my blog, it means we are friends, or we have mutual friends, or what have you. I am pretty confident that although we have bills, responsibilities, children, debt, health problems, etc, we are ALL completely and totally blessed. You are reading this using internet, yes? So, that means you have a computer or have access to a computer. Are you eating? Do you have to choose between paying rent or feeding your children/family? Are you sleeping in a shelter?
It's so easy for us all to throw stones, and say "I think we should do this" and "What the heck, why are they doing that". But if we just sit here, either as individuals or as a country, and don't fight for our fellow man, that makes us selfish pigs.
So, tonight, as you are watching your movies, playing on the internet, bitching about our government, cooking food, playing with your kids and pets, and making plans for the weekend, think about those who are less fortunate, domestically and abroad. In the end, it matters that we help our fellow man. Help doesn't necessarily come in currency. Michael and I can't afford to really give a lot to Haiti - but I'll say lots of prayers. Maybe instead of buying bagels this week, we'll buy regular bread for toast - that will save some money, and we can send our grocery savings this week. That's how we can help - how can you?
Humanity knows no borders.
I keep hearing the following statement: "I feel bad for Haiti...but we need to take care of our own country first!"
Now, here I have an opportunity to be all nice, and explain my opinion in the kindest of ways. But ya know what? I don't feel like it. So often I want to "keep the peace" and listen to all sides, but I get completely fired up about this. And it's my blog, so I can say whatever I damn well please.
What has happened to our world when we completely focus on ourselves? What kind of place do we live in if it's fight for ourselves? It seems as if we are in purely survival mode, even when we don't necessarily need to fight each other.
I will discuss this in two parts.
One - "We don't do anything for our own country!"
Although I agree that we don't have the best processes in this country, there are many, many, many assistance programs designed to assist American citizens. It's not perfect - however, there are organizations across this country who help citizens, as well as government assistance programs to help. AGAIN, not perfect, and we could do a whole hell of a lot better - but our country DOES help people who live here. (The fact that we need to help MORE IS OUT THERE - but my point is that it's not like we are COMPLETELY ignoring our own people. We just don't offer the best right now.)
Two - "I care about ________ but..."
Dear world, humanity has no borders. I don't give a shit if you live next door, across the street, in the next country. I don't care if you a white, black, german, asian, mexican. I don't care if you are living in this country "legally" or "illegally". I don't care if you can ever help me back - at one point, everyone needs help. In this particular situation, Haiti needs supplies, needs help. I am damn proud of our country for stepping up and helping them out. I don't think it necessarily has to be financial - sending doctors, etc will help. In the end, the people who are there need help. Just like people in other countries experiencing genocide, natural disasters, and poor living conditions need help.
There are ways this nation helps out people, whether it's domestically or abroad - don't go running around saying "But we need to help our people!" We are helping our people, and although we have a long way to go, we cannot ignore what is happening in this world.
Forget about countries and governments for a minute. The people that are hurting next door, across the street, or across the world - they bleed red, too. They have minds, spirits, souls. They have the same nutritional and psychological needs that we do. Why is it that borders of a country get in the way? What makes an American citizen so much more important that a citizen of another country?
Some may say "Well, they are using tax money to pay for assistance to other countries". While you may have a point, are you so hard hearted that you feel that some of your tax dollars go towards getting water and aid to a country who is in desperate need of it?
Others may say, "Well, look at Hurricane Katrina - why did it take so long for them to get stuff to the Superdome, and it only took 24 hours to get to Haiti?" Well, because FEMA f-ed up, that's why. If I am correct, the Red Cross is a non-profit organization - they are the ones sending most of the aid at this point - and while the gov't is donating money, I don't think it's through FEMA.
AGAIN, I think our country needs to improve on a LOT - government assistance programs, health care, etc. But we can't forget about our freaking fellow human beings.
It absolutely shocks me that people are upset about helping other people in this way. Do you remember how other countries came to our aid with Katrina hit? Or what about 9/11? If my daughter needed help, if she was sick, if she was in an earthquake, if she needed medical attention - I would want someone to help us! Is that so much to ask?
If you give something to someone - say, volunteer your time, give $5, whatever - do you expect something back other than gratitude? If so, you are doing it for the wrong reasons, my friend. If someone helped my daughter, our family, I would try to not only pay them back, but I would do the same for something else. In the end, it's about helping your fellow human beings.
I'm not sure what it is about different nations/borders that make people less likely to support our gov't assisting other gov'ts in a time of need, but get the hell over it.
I could start another blog on how our country can improve on helping our own population - but that's a whole other topic, which I will probably address later.
But in the end, here is my basics: help where help is needed, regardless of background, circumstance, socio-economic status, or citizenship. Stop this bullshit of "well, they should help themselves" - I mean that domestically AND in emergency situations abroad. Is money tight for our gov't? You betcha, but we spend STUPID amounts of money on bullshit around here - and we bitch and complain about helping people live and eat after an earthquake. You have got to be shitting me.
So, if you agree with me, great. If you don't, fine. But I would hope that someone would come help your child, your spouse, your parents if faced with a dire situation. Or would your opinion stay the same, your pride get in the way and say "I want to do it myself because I don't want to cost the gov't money?".
I hope that you don't have to live in dire circumstances that people in our country AND around the world live in. If you are reading my blog, it means we are friends, or we have mutual friends, or what have you. I am pretty confident that although we have bills, responsibilities, children, debt, health problems, etc, we are ALL completely and totally blessed. You are reading this using internet, yes? So, that means you have a computer or have access to a computer. Are you eating? Do you have to choose between paying rent or feeding your children/family? Are you sleeping in a shelter?
It's so easy for us all to throw stones, and say "I think we should do this" and "What the heck, why are they doing that". But if we just sit here, either as individuals or as a country, and don't fight for our fellow man, that makes us selfish pigs.
So, tonight, as you are watching your movies, playing on the internet, bitching about our government, cooking food, playing with your kids and pets, and making plans for the weekend, think about those who are less fortunate, domestically and abroad. In the end, it matters that we help our fellow man. Help doesn't necessarily come in currency. Michael and I can't afford to really give a lot to Haiti - but I'll say lots of prayers. Maybe instead of buying bagels this week, we'll buy regular bread for toast - that will save some money, and we can send our grocery savings this week. That's how we can help - how can you?
Humanity knows no borders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)