Lately I have been thinking a lot about where America is headed. We talk about and sing about our pride as American citizens, and then turn around and complain about almost every little detail of this country. So what are we really?
I believe that we have lost sight of what America was supposed to be, a place for freedom, and creativity, and new beginnings. Even since the beginning of this country, we have been shutting people out for things such as their skin color, their social class, their political views, OR EVEN THEIR CHOICE IN MUSIC OR ART. This is not fair. Surely you know that.
Tolerance has been a huge promotion in America over the last few years as well. Not under that name of course. It's labeled "Coexist" or "acceptance", among other things, and we are told to just accept everyone's differences. Yet suicide rates continue to grow, generations of TEENAGERS are facing depression and bullying in ways no one knows how to handle anymore. Technology has limited connections between families and friends, and provided an unhealthy escape from reality. This is not a rant about technology, but I want you to really think about how much time you spend on your phone, computer, iPod, MP3 player, tablet, kindle, xbox, playstation, or anything like this in comparison to sitting down and having a conversation with your sister, brother, best friend, mom or dad...I can almost guarantee you spend more time "connecting" with people on your cell phone than you do having a real conversation. --people do not know how to carry on a real conversation anymore--
So what needs to change?
We need to actually mean what we say. -we say we believe in accepting everyone's beliefs, but even our government has a hard time proving they mean that. -we say we promote self-confidence, while kids find ADVICE ON HOW TO BE ANOREXIC on the internet, which is, of course, where so many of the generation being raised right now get all of their advice.
We need to believe in a better future-->and get there.
There should no longer be a "they", when there could be a "we".
I never liked the phrase "be the change you want to see in the world"...I would change it to "be the inspiration that makes the world change."
