Monday, July 18, 2016

Lost Purpose and Violence in America

Where, today, is the politician, or the newscaster, or the social commentator, who is asking, "What is this all about? What is our purpose in America in 2016, on the eve of the presidential election?"

I have been absent a few days, preoccupied with the violence that grips our nation and the war of words between various groups set up to oppose each other. More terrorism in Orlando. More police officers involved in shooting black civilians. Civilians sniping at police. Protesters in Cleveland for the RNC. Donald and Hillary launching word bombs at each other. An ineffective President who seems to only preside at funerals of victims--lots of funerals for victims. On the world stage, a government in Syria apparently intent on eliminating those who are governed. Refugees in Jordan and Greece. Terrorist attacks in France and Turkey. Angry Britians kicking themselves out of the EU. A failed coup in Turkey.

There is little of peace, and little of hope, in the world. There is much anger, and violence, and death. Perhaps it has always been thus, but it does seem to be getting worse. There is plenty of finger-pointing and blame, of accusation and recrimination. Donald and Hillary promise to bring us to a better place by different, and much different, paths. But neither has any credibility; neither can be believed.

When I was a child, in grade school, we were taught that America was a place that was founded on the hope for a better life. "Finding a better life" was the reason people came here. That reason was fueled by recognition of America's purpose--to be a place that provided hope, and a chance. After the great influxes of immigrants through the early part of the the 20th century, the descendants of those immigrants carved out lives that were better than their forebears for the most part. We became comfortable, and "better" became "standard." "Standard" became not good enough and we felt somehow let down that our lives were not as golden as we thought they should be. We became disgruntled, and we looked for those who were responsible, to blame them.

Have you noticed that no one in America seems to be responsible for anything they do? There is always someone, or something, else to blame. The parents, or that there were no parents. The government. The employer. The "system." Lack of money. Lack of opportunity. Lack of resources. Lack of faith. Lack of support.

We have forgotten the purpose for the founding of America. "Hope" is based on a recognition that there is something bigger and better, and that bigger and better can be achieved with effort and work and perseverance. It is not based on a wish or a whim that someone will take care of me, or that I will win a lottery (real or figurative) and not have to worry the rest of my life. "A chance" is an opportunity, not a guarantee. Chances must be taken; they do not automatically deliver whatever it is that is being sought.

There is a great deal of noise in America today. People are shouting at each other so loudly they cannot hear one another. We would each be much better off to find a quiet place and ask ourselves, "What is my purpose?" in the context of being an American. Do not ask what it is owed to me, or why I have been cheated out of my dreams, or what can I get out of this. Do not ask what another's purpose is. If we were silent, and asked ourselves and then thought to answer honestly, each of us can contribute to re-establishing America as a place of hope and a chance.

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