Right before Ohio got its first snow of the year, I was standing at the flagpole in the main quad of my college and took this picture (see image below). This was not long ago. As the cold, crisp air of late autumn hit my face, I was just staring up at this flag and reflecting upon its current status in the United States, thinking, 'how fitting is this chilling weather as I continue to ponder over this thought?' The more I thought about how ashamed people currently are of our flag, the more saddened I became. I soon began to think about every occasion I have seen in the news about domestic violence. Not necessarily domestic violence in a traditional sense (which is still absolutely terrible), but domestic violence in a sense where the United States, a home once united, is now committing violent acts to segregate ourselves from one another. This is happening economically, culturally, racially, socially, and in various other aspects. There is not a singular side to blame here, it is the fault of anybody who displays intolerance, bias, and close-mindedness (which I believe, can be all of us at times).
It is difficult to choose an established "side" on the United States political spectrum, at least for me. I do not like to see acts of racism, homophobia, and sexism displayed in any context, which are all attitudes that should have ended long ago. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that our economic system is still so increasingly exploitative--the fact that most of our clothing companies still utilize sweatshops, that factory farming has become so unethical, and that the overbearing wage gap is more prevalent now than ever before. Many people abandon all values of a decent human being for the sake of making maximum profit. I could go on and on about the atrocities of the healthcare system, abortion, forced PC-ness, and so forth, but I do not think this would add to my point any further. To get to the point, I am tired of all parties being so close-minded and refusing to hear other points of view. Maybe there is not "so many things wrong with our country" as much as it derives from the people inside.
Allow me to make a disclaimer: in order for this country to function properly, we must possess diversity in our opinions and points of view (which we have). However, there should be certain, accepted standards regarding general kindness. What good does it do to throw personal attacks at others to try to get a point across? Since when has an argument ever been won with an insult? What good does it do to wish death upon our president, who is not perfect, but is just as much of a human being as you or I? What good does it do to disgrace the American flag, a flag that is supposed to represent the freedom and equality as millions gave, and still continue to give their lives for? One must not always agree with the stance of another, but we must always remain respectful and mindful of the dignity that every human holds--rich or poor, black or white, liberal or conservative, religious or nonreligious, or any other discrepancy that may exist between people. It is this hatred, ignorance, and intolerance that has created a schism within our country, not the fact that people hold different beliefs and opinions.
What we need is a worldwide metanoia, or a change of heart. I don't want to become the "Disunited States" at any point in time. I am confident that the majority of people would not want this to happen either. I also possess optimism that the majority of people are good and do not like to see so much existing hatred, but many are just unaware of the impact that their intolerance holds in the grand scheme of things. Until it becomes habit of ours to make the intentional decision to dispose of the hatred that exists in our language, attitudes, and actions, our country will still face exploitation, murder, and other forms of violence. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that the presence of peace in our country (and world) is a very obtainable goal. My faith in humanity has been restored on various occasions as I have witnessed what kindness, forgiveness, understanding, and mercy have accomplished. So as we work towards this objective together, let us always employ respect toward the other. The United States will become a home again when love is implemented and relationships are restored.
Peace,
-Brandi
