Violence, the Norm

Why is ANYone surprised by this violence?!? Our icons, and heroes, and mentors, and Example-setters, many of them with visibility And fame given to them ONLY by the money WE give them to perform, play, or ply their Craft, espousing the most hateful, vitriolic, Nasty-minded language and intents, and Hundreds of THOUSANDS of us cheering Them on!! People marching in the streets Holding signs of Martin Luther King, Jr., all The while chanting by the thousands for the Death of policemen!! Actors, comedians, Athletes, producers, journalists, politicians, Authors, calling for violence and hatred and Bias and division, and even DEATH, to the very Leaders that WE, the people, have voted into Office! STOP!! Until we EACH stop supporting Not only hatred itself, but ANYONE who SPEAKS It, or ANYone who spews venom that INCITES Division and animosity, or is in defense of the Hateful people in positions of power or fame or Popularity, not Matter WHAT side their on, NOTHING will improve, certainly NOT this horror. Isn't the world sad enough with religious Extremism, terrorism, gangs, and war?!? We're CREATING terrorism right here in our backyards And streets and parks, JUST by the despicable, Neglectful, and hypocritical ways we treat each OTHER! Get up in the morning, LOOK yourself In the face in the bathroom mirror, and promise YourSELF that you're going to do the best job You can, at not only NOT saying anything hateful Or antagonistic or harmful/hurtful toward Anyone else, but also doing whatever you can To help OTHERS recognize, in as kind a way as Possible, that THEY are using hateful words or Means or actions. They could either do or say What they ARE in a more positive way, OR not Say it at ALL, if it serves no constructive purpose. THAT'S where the answer starts, with US, One-on-one with the person we are ultimately Responsible for - ourselves. Just the example It will set to others ALONE will make a huge Difference, and if we All START there, then We're at LEAST on the right road, and we'll Actually be in a place where we have a RIGHT To be surprised about the horror we see each Day. And please, STOP making excuses for the People who do anything OTHER than that, Just because you like them or support them Or are on their side of whatever argument is Being made, because there is NO argument That can overcome what LOVE and kindness And empathy can! There is NO argument that Can justify or rationalize hatefulness and Prejudice, of ANY kind. There is NO argument That is time spent as constructively as Compromise and intelligent, POSITIVE, Mutually respectful discussion! I see SO many Very intelligent people so saddened by all the Violence, who turn around and post the most Hateful, vitriolic memes and statements. These are people I respect highly and consider Friends, who now, because they ASSUME I'm One way or the other, (wrongly, I might add, For the most part), because I speak against Hatred, now avoid me and my page like the plague, Or just plain don't read these "pieces" of mine. It seems SUCH a waste of gray matter and Synapses, because if those SAME people put Their vast knowledge and insight and angry Energy into loving behavior and causes, what INCREDIBLE change could come about! I am not preaching - I have as much hatred As anyone, and it's hard to let go of because It's grounded in some of my deepest beliefs - But I HAVE to start somewhere, and WORDS Are my greatest weapon, for now. No matter What else I do, at least twice a day I give myself "The Stare", and I examine my actions and Words, and I promise myself that I'll do the Best I can to NOT do or say anything hateful ... I NEVER make it, but every day I see CHANGE, Positive change, in ME, if in small amounts, And THAT is where I begin the process ... I can only hope it rubs off somewhere. But at The very LEAST, I feel a BIT more justified in Saying, in the kindest way I can, PLEASE ... STOP the HATE.