Today is the
first Wednesday of September and time for a post for the Insecure Writer’sSupport Group.
I have struggled for the past several days as to what to write. I’m moved to tears this morning by the violence and hate in our country at the moment. And I say this without having turned on a television to witness the latest unsettling news of the day.
I have struggled for the past several days as to what to write. I’m moved to tears this morning by the violence and hate in our country at the moment. And I say this without having turned on a television to witness the latest unsettling news of the day.
The horrendous
killing of that Harris County Deputy last Friday evening happened in Houston. I
live in Houston. The man charged with this senseless crime lived in a
subdivision called Copperfield. I lived in Copperfield in the 80’ & 90’s.
He graduated from a Cy-Fair high school 12 years ago…the same school my
daughter graduated from 20 years ago.
During his
football career he was scouted by several colleges. He was a team player. There
was no black/white hatred on that team. They played as a TEAM. But that was another time…
What
happened over these last 12 years? It had to have been something monstrous. And
now, a well-respected man is taken from this world, leaving a wife and two
small children to piece together the rest of their lives.
The bright
spot in all of this for me has been the peace rally that took place this past weekend.
Hundreds and hundreds of people of all color walked together for the violence
to stop.
Yet
yesterday on the news I saw graffiti had popped up several places here in
Houston of a policeman with a gun pointed to his head. The news bulletin read “Anti-law-enforcement
graffiti in the Houston area.”
Where will
it end? What will it take? My heart is heavy this morning. To combat violence
and hate with violence and hate isn’t the answer. Not the way I believe.
I lived
through the assassination of JFK on November 22, 1963. I was 11 and felt a
sense of shame something so horrible could happen in my state. Now, the feeling
is much stronger. Yes, because the shooting happened in Houston, in my old
neighborhood, at a corner where my daughter used to hang out in high school. But
the pain in my heart over the hate and violence I now understand as an
adult is overwhelming. We have to look deeper. What causes hate? My answer will be different than for someone else. We are all humans, but we are
all different.
All of us.
It is incredibly depressing the violent lengths people will go to because of their hatred.
ReplyDeleteI agree M.R.R.-really wanted to write something different yesterday but my heart was too heavy. Thanks for stopping by...
DeletePeople don't realize how scary it can become when law enforcement loses control of this country...
ReplyDeleteAgree Stephanie...I'm having flashbacks of growing up in the 60's...such a time of unrest. Thanks for stopping by...
DeleteIt is becoming a dangerous place to have a simple difference of opinion in public any more. When did the world start solving minor problems with murder and mass shootings? That was horrible what happend to that policeman. Seemed so totally senseless, unprovoked. The same as that news reporter shooting. How awful for the family and friends. No clue why shootings like this happen.
ReplyDeleteMakes it hard to write anything positive.
Dolorah - thanks for stopping by. I believe hate is a learned behavior as I do prejudices. However, there is a significant gang problem in Houston and I wonder if it's total indifference for a human life? I honestly don't know which is worse.
DeleteAnd you're right. I wanted to write something fun and uplifting yesterday, but I just couldn't get there...
I can't help but think that media and the mouthpieces who become the spokespersons of national opinion exacerbate the issues at hand. Stats are misused to blow things out of proportion which in turn incites those who are more prone to reactionary responses rather that thoughtful reason and discussion.
ReplyDeleteOur society has been reduced to soundbites and Twitter tweets and most people are bored with discourse and overly willing to just fall in step with the unthinking masses.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Too much hate and division in this country, which is supposed to be united as in United States.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
November IWSG Co-host