I grew up being bullied by classmates, teachers, and even members of my own family.I was beat up at various times from the age of 5 through middle school. I finally fought back, decisively, and no one touched me again after that.
To some, I should’ve acted sooner. In my mind, aggression and violence lack any and all moral authority.
Our leaders do a tremendous job of wrapping it in a pretty bow of patriotism or some other unquestioned tribalistic, dogma.
What they’re really saying is that, we have the resources and strength to force others to indulge our selfishness and tough shit if they don’t like it.
That isn’t leadership, those are grade school bullies who grew up to be elected by other bullies. There, I said it.
Please don’t come at me with talk of Hitler and other historical actors who could only be stopped through fierce opposition.
That is a symptom of the broader problem I’m talking about and not an exception of what I’m talking about here.
The fact that our movies, shows, media, YouTube, etc., glorify people getting hurt, maimed, beaten and even killed in the name of “justice” or entertainment should disturb everyone.
It would be like cows sitting back and watching slaughterhouse footage to unwind.
We need a new script. Our culture needs an enema.
People who live with neurodiversity know the experience of living in a world where people are hostile toward them simply because they’re different.
A sarcastic and judgmental, “What’s wrong with you,” is not uncommon when you act a little quirky around someone unfamiliar with you.
While we’re on the subject, “sarcasm” is an aggressive way of speaking. It’s tone suggests the person you’re talking to is stupid. It’s one-upmanship.
It’s one way we compete with each other and our culture is saturated with it.
This incessant need to win, be the smartest kid in the room, be the best whatever, causes us to put each other down at every opportunity and it needs to fricking stop NOW!
Each person needs to decide for themselves how they want to shape this world.
If violence plays any role in your plan, you’re part of the problem.
There’s a lot to learn from those who have led the way to profound social change without once raising their hand against a fellow human being.
Let’s try unity, connection, compassion, community and kindness for a while. It can’t be worse than what we’ve been doing.
