When I was in school, the best way to get everyone’s attention was for someone to yell, “Fight!” Everyone would run in the direction of the commotion. The more hair pulling, scratching, and cussing, the better. Everyone would talk about it for days. Some were legendary.
You would think as we get older, we would mature. As adults, when there is a potentially dangerous disturbance, we are supposed to know to alert the proper authorities. Unfortunately, it seems that adult fights are nastier and draw greater attention. Just look at the highest rated T.V. shows. People are drawn to blood, conflict, and controversy. Now reality shows rule. The ones with the most chaos shoot to the top (e.g. Jon & Kate Plus 8 Plus the Nanny). The news is filled with violence. The biggest news makers are the ones who scream the loudest, meanest, cruelest, most offensive remarks. Producers don’t have to pay writers to make it up anymore because reality is more striking than fiction. When’s the last time you saw a new comedy show? Why pay writers when people will get on T.V. and act a fool for free? And millions will watch it and talk about it at work the next day. Those who missed it will go watch it on YouTube after work (or during work).
Is there an end to this cycle? Our culture really seems to be obsessed with conflict. It’s not just on T.V. Those who call themselves leaders are the biggest warmongers it seems. Someone calls someone a name (like liar) or even throws a blow. The other person retaliates. Everyone watches. Sometimes people start taking sides. Eventually, if nobody is reasonable enough to search for a resolution, you have an all out war going on. I’m afraid our country is in a state of perpetual conflict. Bill O’Reilly calls it a culture war.
We have to decide what our strategy is going to be. Will the majority stand around watching as Democrats fight Republicans, blacks fight whites, poor fight rich? Will the strategy be to fight until our country is battered and torn and only one side is left standing? Or will someone, for the sake of the country, search for a resolution?
Take the latest situation with Rush Limbaugh for example. He says some outrageous, even racist things. Everyone talks about. He stays at the top of the ratings. Now he tried and failed to become a team owner in the NFL. Of course, everyone is talking about it. His ratings have probably never been better. That has been his M.O. He would say something offensive. Someone would say something back. The media would yell, “Fight!” Everyone would watch. Now I’m afraid people are starting to take sides.
We have to ask ourselves what is the next step? Can anyone step up and call for peace? What if some black leader of some organization, instead of responding to Rush with counterattacks, invites him to the next convention to discuss the problem. Might this neutralize the venom? Some people call it hate. Some people call it evil. I must continue to believe that the only way to overcome evil is with good. In other words, if somebody’s cursing at you, bless ‘em. If somebody yells “fight,” run toward the peace. It may not get that much attention, but everybody will be better off.
You would think as we get older, we would mature. As adults, when there is a potentially dangerous disturbance, we are supposed to know to alert the proper authorities. Unfortunately, it seems that adult fights are nastier and draw greater attention. Just look at the highest rated T.V. shows. People are drawn to blood, conflict, and controversy. Now reality shows rule. The ones with the most chaos shoot to the top (e.g. Jon & Kate Plus 8 Plus the Nanny). The news is filled with violence. The biggest news makers are the ones who scream the loudest, meanest, cruelest, most offensive remarks. Producers don’t have to pay writers to make it up anymore because reality is more striking than fiction. When’s the last time you saw a new comedy show? Why pay writers when people will get on T.V. and act a fool for free? And millions will watch it and talk about it at work the next day. Those who missed it will go watch it on YouTube after work (or during work).
Is there an end to this cycle? Our culture really seems to be obsessed with conflict. It’s not just on T.V. Those who call themselves leaders are the biggest warmongers it seems. Someone calls someone a name (like liar) or even throws a blow. The other person retaliates. Everyone watches. Sometimes people start taking sides. Eventually, if nobody is reasonable enough to search for a resolution, you have an all out war going on. I’m afraid our country is in a state of perpetual conflict. Bill O’Reilly calls it a culture war.
We have to decide what our strategy is going to be. Will the majority stand around watching as Democrats fight Republicans, blacks fight whites, poor fight rich? Will the strategy be to fight until our country is battered and torn and only one side is left standing? Or will someone, for the sake of the country, search for a resolution?
Take the latest situation with Rush Limbaugh for example. He says some outrageous, even racist things. Everyone talks about. He stays at the top of the ratings. Now he tried and failed to become a team owner in the NFL. Of course, everyone is talking about it. His ratings have probably never been better. That has been his M.O. He would say something offensive. Someone would say something back. The media would yell, “Fight!” Everyone would watch. Now I’m afraid people are starting to take sides.
We have to ask ourselves what is the next step? Can anyone step up and call for peace? What if some black leader of some organization, instead of responding to Rush with counterattacks, invites him to the next convention to discuss the problem. Might this neutralize the venom? Some people call it hate. Some people call it evil. I must continue to believe that the only way to overcome evil is with good. In other words, if somebody’s cursing at you, bless ‘em. If somebody yells “fight,” run toward the peace. It may not get that much attention, but everybody will be better off.
Great artile. I think the only way peace will be obtained if we collectively use our fincial resources to express our opinion. It seems that peace in this country when the debating parties can choose the path that suits their best financial interest. This is the reason why the group which first supported Limbaugh as a potential partner dropped him.
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