The world is currently in a confused state. We say we want change, but don't take the actions necessary to see it through. We shame those who seem to be lost, but fail to recognize the struggles they've endured for most of their lives. More importantly, we say we are a nation that is united, but the differences we make in social and economic class are some of the main reasons why the nation has been divided. While I'm noting some of the mistakes we make as a country, it also amazes me how we live under a "Pledge Of Allegiance" that the whole country does not believe in.
I am not in any way bashing America for what it is, but what I am doing is expressing my disappointment, because I know what it can be. I recently met an officer over the summer who was in charge of my training for my summer job. We didn't speak much after training, but he told me something I will never forget. He said, "unaddressed behavior is deemed acceptable," which means that if you don't admit that you have a problem, it will never change. I might not be able to change what is going on in the world, but I am honest enough to admit that we as a people have a lot of problems.But, I don't feel like the solutions to are problems are out of reach. The actions we need to take are simple, and are as follows:
1. Stop Turning Your Nose Up
It's really interesting to me how many people i've seen that place themselves on a pedestal which can't be touched by other people.They treat others as if they're superior to them, which has actually become a huge issue in today's society. This can happen with adults at their jobs, or with teenagers in their schools. It also happens on the streets. I see people who "turn their nose up" or act better than someone who looks like they don't have nice clothing, and and a large bank account. What really bothers me most is that they make assumptions about their livelihood based on the way they look, or the material things they might not have, as if that person chose the way there life has gone.
The important thing to realize here, is that you need to remain humble and be appreciative of the things you have. I'm sure there are a lot of people who sit around with the things they want and need, but life is not the same for everyone. Some people aren't fortunate enough to have a big roof over their head, expensive meals in their stomach, and designer clothing on their backs. So rather than make a difference in the way we treat the less fortunate, let's try to understand that life is different for each person that is given shoes to fill. And let's try to help them when they don't have the strength to walk on their own.
2. Accept Responsibility
It's sad to say, but there aren't a lot of people who are responsible, or have accountability. Life may be out of our own control, but the decisions we make are what help to shape it. Nowadays, when something bad or unfavorable happens, the first thing you will hear out of someone's mouth is "he said/she said, it wasn't my fault, or I didn't do it." In reality, these people are responsible for what happens, but just don't want to accept the fact that they did something wrong.
I feel that this is exactly what happens in America. I read an article a couple years ago that shocked me. A woman was in an alley in New York, and she was robbed and stabbed because nobody stopped to try and help her. Reading this article really disgusted me, because I could not have imagined myself walking down the street seeing anyone, let alone a woman get robbed and stabbed and not try and help her.
The reason why nobody stopped to help her was because no one wanted to accept personal responsibility for her life. This was interesting, because I would bet my last dollar that if anyone else who witnessed the stabbing were in the same incident, they would have expected to be helped by someone who saw it. Call me crazy, but it seems to me that people only want to be involved with you when it's beneficial to them, which has kept America from standing together and truly becoming a great country.
I love the country I'm in, but America has to decide that it has bigger problems than elected officials can handle and work to fix the broken wheel that has steered the United States off track.
