G. K. Wuori

September 1, 2023

Cold Iron - 251

 

I think we're torn up in this country because …

… we're not talking with each other very well. We text too much and lose the subtle nuances of meaning and intent that true conversation can reveal

… we seem to be offended by just about anything. If a fly farts a half mile away we want to blame the current president or our neighbor or the economy or our boss

… we just don't seem to understand how life can change in either the short haul or the long haul and that it's not personal and we need to handle it

… we don't realize that we are responsible for nearly everything that's right or wrong in our lives

… we've replaced helping our neighbor with blaming our neighbor

 

I think we're torn up in this country because …

… we think our religious beliefs should be everyone's beliefs

… we think everyone should have religious beliefs

… we don't read newspapers anymore

… we've lost sight of manners and etiquette in ourselves and, thus, don't teach them to our children

… whether it's north and south or red and blue or straight or gay or black or brown or white or yellow or red we've become increasingly tribal and, thus, both fearful and distrustful of other "tribes"

 

I think we're torn up in this country because …

… we failed to let Mexico keep Texas

… the amateurs on social media are telling us what to do

… in any election a mere half of voters turning out is considered good

… millions of us are in awe of a former president who (currently) has been indicted for over ninety (not a typo) felony charges

… there's just so damn much ignorance out there about our history, the nature of our democracy, and the Constitution itself. It's not rocket science, people, but you're not going to find the answers on 4Chan or Reddit

 

I think we're torn up in this country because …

… so many have forgotten that we are a nation of immigrants and that is our strength

… we're just not paying close enough attention to the people we elect to public office on any level – local, state, national

… too many women legislators are trying to prove their mettle by being as stupid as too many men legislators

… we can't be adult enough to say the odious word 'nigger' in appropriate contexts, instead using the juvenile 'N-word.' It's not good to euphemize hate

… we no longer seem to be of good cheer

 

G.K. Wuori ©2023

Photoillustration by the author