My apologies for slacking off on my writings, but sometimes I
find myself worried that I am becoming indifferent to what seems like
overwhelming world issues. In between the
daily routine of commuting and work, which both can be tiring, there are the
stresses of finance, getting older, health, and the fears of intolerance at top
of mind. It seems very difficult at times
to focus on the issues of our country, the world, or humanity in general. I needed a little respite from it and thus my
writings, which are my outlet of expression for my thoughts.
What do I focus on?
Is it the unbelievable situation we find ourselves in as Americans with the
current very frightening administration? Or should it be the bigotry, hatred and anger
the previous has unleashed? Should it be
on climate change and the record heatwaves, typhoons, hurricanes, wildfires, or
melting ice shelves and glaciers?
Perhaps it should be on the multiple places in the world
that appear to be on the edge of war?
Like Venezuela, the Korean Peninsula, the entire Middle east, or even
Russia? Did you know that India and
China have been exchanging some serious threats back and forth? Could it be that previously said
administration is going get us into a saber-rattling situation that we can’t
get out of without bloodshed, usually from our country’s youngest and bravest?
Maybe it should be the fact that 1 in 6 children in the
United States is worried about their next meal?
To put that into perspective, that is 16.2M children. Perhaps I should focus on the almost 800M
people in the world without enough to eat?
BTW, that small thing called “fake” climate change is killing an additional
300K per year.
Speaking of fake, should I focus on the danger of a lack of
freedom of the press or maybe even freedom of expression?
Or perhaps I should focus on what appears to be a reverse in
direction in our country on the civil rights of all regardless of religion,
gender, sexual identity, race, nationality, etc.? Or maybe that there is an actual
concentration camp or camps in Chechnya for gays? That there is an ever-increasing spike in the
level of violence against those who are different in the United States and
abroad?
These are just some of the topics my mind seems to hone in
on and at times I feel completely and totally overwhelmed and at a loss at what
to do. At times, this feeling of being
overwhelmed makes you numb, or rather it can give you a sense of
indifference. This is dangerous.
Eliezer “Elie” Wiesel, a Romanian-born American Jewish
writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor
put it best.
“Indifference, to me, is the
epitome of evil.”
So, even when it simply feels like too much, you must write,
talk, protest, fight; but, never quit and never allow yourself to stay
indifferent. Take a mini indifference
vacation if you must, but come back and never quit. Those who fight for those who can’t are all
that stand between chaos and anarchy in the world. Your singular voice and actions do make a
difference. One more poignant quote from
Elie.
“There may be times when we are
powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to
protest.”
If you are not familiar with Elie Wiesel I encourage you to
learn more about him. He was a
remarkable human being.
Namaste,
Tom
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