Living in a household with three other siblings can be tough. Interests and ideals conflict at times, which leads to someone getting at somebody else’s throat. But through it all, my siblings and I remain close friends, confidants, family. We make every effort to put aside our petty grudges, to recognize where each of us went wrong, and to encourage understanding and compassion.
There are two things I have learned as a first-born brother when it comes to dealing with disagreements with another family member. One, there is no argument that can be resolved without compromise. Second, anger and hatred are never viable solutions, and only serve to worsen already sensitive circumstances.
I say this in relation to the law enforcement and race-related debate that has been very prevalent in the news for the past few weeks. This crucial issue has affected our nation at both the political and the social level, dividing people and stirring up controversy at an alarming rate. It is very worrying to see how aggressive and even violent the debate has become, and it is even more worrying to think about the implications that the nature of the debate carries. In short, this issue has gotten too far out of hand.
Many of the actions taken and behaviors exhibited during the numerous protests and debates of the past few weeks can be characterized as overzealous, agitated, and sometimes illegal. These characteristics speak volumes about the American people; it suggests that we are violent. That we crave victory over those we believe wronged us. That we desire comeuppance at any cost, and retribution by any means necessary. These ideals, it seems, are what some believe will change our society for the better.
The honest truth is that that notion is wrong. It always has been, and always will be.
Our country’s history can attest to a simple fact: that even the most intense social and political confrontations can be solved through rationality and identifying common ideals. Change does not start with any one person or one group; it begins with those who are willing to know the difference between a stubborn refusal to adapt and upholding an ideal. Change arises when we are willing to lend our ears to our fellow man in hopes that we can solve our problems without the possibility of chaos or strife. Change arises when we change ourselves for the better, learning to recognize the merits of others and helping them to understand our own merits.
Anger, violence, apathy, ridicule, and prejudice cannot and will not heal our communities. There has already been much to mourn about in the midst of all of this, and we needn’t twist the knife in the wound further by continuing to fight verbally and physically. What everyone needs to do right now is to encourage peace. We all need to do our part to show understanding and recognize that no human being is perfect, that emotion cannot replace reason, and that real change starts when we decide to work as one.
