“We cannot continue in the direction we are going. This seething undercurrent of hatred and vitriol, that is bubbling up in horrific ways, cannot continue. The world we live in now is most often viewed through the lens our algorithms give us. And those algorithms are so powerful, and knowledgeable, that if someone even pauses to watch a video for ten seconds they will be fed similar videos. Parents and schools recognize the need to detach our children from screens, noting marked upticks in focus and comprehension when phones are banned from classrooms. Maybe, just maybe, we could learn a thing or two from our kids’ experiences; detach ourselves from the social media vortex, actually talk to one another, work on listening and comprehension, and learn to admit when we don’t understand something or that we don’t know enough about a topic to articulate an informed opinion. We might find that we don’t hate each other as much as we’re told we do, that there is less to fear than the monster we’ve created in our minds, and even learn to coexist. *Clearly, this does not apply to those who choose bigotry over loving thy neighbor. Bigotry, in all forms, must not be tolerated.”
Tag Archives: opinion writing
The Violent Rhetoric (and Reality) Returns
My children have never consciously known a U.S. presidential election, or administration, that didn’t have the undertone, or reality, of violence.
An Open Letter to American Women before the November 5th Election
Please don’t allow our country further weaken women’s rights by electing Donald Trump to a second term. He is the wrong choice for many reasons, but a huge one is that he dislikes, and infantilizes women. He’s made it clear that he believes women are inferior to men in every way. The numbers prove that he’s wrong. Believe in yourself, believe in other women, and believe that this country is ready to be led by a competent, smart, and level-headed woman. Choose joy! Choose Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!
Is 44 Too Old to be Earnest?
One of my best, and maybe worst, qualities is my earnestness. I feel things deeply. Does earnestness drain like a gas tank, as your age-related perspective increases? Am I supposed to be more jaded, feeling more ennui, or even just not showing my feelings because it’s embarrassing (whether it’s supposed to be embarrassing for me or it just embarrasses others might be a worthy discussion as well.)
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
There have been two big discussions on social media in the past week or so; the execution of Marcellus Williams, who was almost certainly innocent of the crime he was convicted of, by the state of Missouri and whether retail workers need to be nice to their customers. Both merit further scrutiny and both can be boiled down to one basic idea. We need to be better to each other.
Stop Fighting With Yourself — An Epiphany Story for All
Author and her daughter enjoying a street party’s “foamboree.” Photo taken by author’s husband. A couple of weeks ago I had an epiphany. It wasn’t an aha moment with a hand gesture for emphasis kind of moment, just a quiet kind of epiphany. The epiphany? The fight is useless, I’m just going to be theContinueContinue reading “Stop Fighting With Yourself — An Epiphany Story for All”
Have We Lost Our Humanity?
Or did we have any to begin with? Street art in Washington, DC. Photo taken by author. Let me start with this. Humanity has always been inhumane. Atrocities have been committed throughout history. And, while we aren’t experiencing Genghis Khan-level atrocities at the moment (though Ukrainians might disagree), the United States is certainly allowing smaller,ContinueContinue reading “Have We Lost Our Humanity?”
Crime Is Up, but at Least the City’s E-Scooters Are Safe
Elected leaders are choosing political expediency and finger-pointing instead of addressing rising violent crime head-on Photo © Bruce Guthrie District residents are grappling with a second year of increased violent crime. The city’s elected leaders have been intensely focused on safety. On October 1, the city’s new law requiring e-scooters to be locked up orContinueContinue reading “Crime Is Up, but at Least the City’s E-Scooters Are Safe”
It’s Never Been About Abortion
These laws are about control. It’s about the desire for mostly white conservative Christian men and women to control women’s bodies. Abortion is a red herring. The control and the cruelty are the point.
These same politicians crow about the need to be pro-life and complain about government programs to help families. Without supporting access to affordable, adequate health care and child care, housing that helps keep families safe, food programs that can educate people about healthy eating and provide access to affordable, healthy foods, claims of being pro-life ring hollow.
“Not Okay” Is a Distant Memory for Parents
Where we are now is well past the breaking point Street art in Washington, DC. One woman, two directions (artist unknown to author). Children in the middle. Photo taken by the author. The Atlantic recently published a piece titled “Parents Are Not Okay” by a father, Dan Sinker. It detailed the many ways in whichContinueContinue reading ““Not Okay” Is a Distant Memory for Parents”
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