What Do You Think?

Throughout the history of mankind there have been countless polarizing issues that have caused rifts between countries. Right now we are having one of those rifts yet again. Race is always a hot button topic in America and, in the foreseen future, always will be. A terroristic mass murder has brought about an old debate over the Confederate Battle Flag. It’s a topic of conversation that tries to make one choose a side when discussed; even if you personally have no side. If you try to stay neutral, then each side will plead their cases. Don’t agree with their views? Then you are racist or not truly from the South. Both sides of the argument could stand to gain tolerance for the other as well as a reminder of the histories behind the flag.

The Confederacy is no longer a threat to America, and that is because it no longer exists. You will have groups such as the Daughters of the Confederacy, but they are not going to rise up and cause states to secede again. Most defenders of the flag have the romantic image of the battle flag from old movies, pop culture in the 80’s, NASCAR, or their favorite t-shirt. Humans tend to repress unwanted memories of times that were “undesirable” and they cling to the more rebellious ideals the flag once stood for. Many opposing the flag still remember fearing the KKK and the race riots that used the Confederate Flag as a banner. Tormented by burning crosses and racism in this country. This flag has changed numerous times as a symbol and each side holds on to one or the other. Anyone that defends the flag cannot forget what oppression came with this symbol of hate and white supremacy.

To those opposed to the flag: the Civil War was not completely about freeing the slaves. If that were true, then why were northern states allowed to keep their slaves even after the Emancipation Proclamation? Almost everyone was racist during the Civil War and not just the southern states. The evil Robert E. Lee was actually recruited by the north at the beginning of the war, but because of the idea that your state was your nation he made the hard decision to stay with Virginia. It is even suggested that he opposed slavery. The truly malicious intent of the symbol came from when the KKK used it during the 50’s and 60’s. One cannot discount someone’s argument that it stands for rebelliousness or southern pride based on one group’s use of the flag. Yes, horrible atrosities have occurred in the past and racism still exists today, but not everyone hold the same stereotypical views that come with the flag.

Tolerance and understanding should be a two way street in my opinion. Many have compared the Confederate Flag to the Nazi swastika. I believe this is a fairly accurate comparison. For thousands of years Buddhism and Hinduism have used the swastika as a symbol of good fortune. Hitler adopted and adjusted the image in hopes of good fortune to come to his troops. My comparison of the two stems from this idea that we are letting one group or one isolated instance to define a single symbol that means so much more than a single ideal.

“ELE! Everybody love everybody!”

-Jackie Moon, Semi Pro 2008

Parents Just Don’t Understand

This week we entered a touchy subject about the new laws in North Carolina that involved the LBGT community. Much of the subject was very indifferent to me. I say let people be who they want to be, but stay tolerable to both sides. One aspect was brought up about having to explain to a young child why “Suzy” goes to the little boys’ bathroom. My mind did not quickly race to defend a little girl’s right to say she felt like a little boy, but instead how we pressure children to be forced into maturity at such a young age and we try to control children in so many different aspects of the world.

Parents will always live vicariously through their children. Many chose to push their children to pursue sports at very young ages. Jacqueline Stenson writes an article, Pushing Too Hard Too Young, that outlines how our kids are being diagnosed with physical ailments that they should not see for many more years. The coaches and the parents demand recognition and success over sportsmanship and fun for the players. I was unfortunate enough to learn this first hand. For two years I was a little league coach, 13-14 years old and then 11-12 years old, and the hardest group to coach were the younger of the two. Parents would yell are me or at the child for striking out when I was trying to teach them to get up after they fall down in life. Whispers and cussing from teammates’ parents could be heard as you explain why you aren’t running the score up on an opposing team or clearing tears from their eyes after a loss.

Not only do we pressure our children to succeed at any risk, but we try to micromanage the danger in their lives. This relates a little to my opening statement about how I came to the realization for this blog entry. NPR had a podcast with an interview with Mrs. Hanna Rosin who explains her article in The Atlantic and how children today do not get to learn about the dangers of the world on their own. Playgrounds are now drenched with protective rubber she explains, and that this feeling of always being watched can hinder a child’s independence later in life. My parents were very nurturing and loving, but at a suitable age I was allowed to go behind my house with a hatchet and attempt to build a fort.

At what age do we let children learn about life through their own experiences and not ours. Making a child feel pressured to choose a bathroom because of a possible life outcomes will become the same hindrance on their independance as protecting them on the playground. We’ve all made mistakes and discovered ourselves through our pasts; why don’t we allow the next generation the same opportunity of individuality.

“You know parents are the same
No matter time nor place
They don’t understand that us kids
Are going to make some mistakes
So to you, all the kids all across the land
There’s no need to argue
Parents just don’t understand”

-DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince

Feminization of America

This week I sat in on a speech about female figures and their roles in mega-churches. Their pasts riddled with scandals that varied in severity. Most of these frontierswomen have only had a secondary role to a male figure, but recently there have been few that hold the spotlight alone. The discussion made me ask the question of whether or not an equal feminine role was growing in other aspects of society.

The “old boys’ clubs” are slowing being to adopt the idea of sexual equality. However, this is a slow progression, but a progression nonetheless. Sarah Thomas is beginning to look like a viable candidate to become the first ever female referee in the NFL, the NBA has already hired three women as officials, and the Buffalo Bills hired Kathryn Smith as the first woman assistant. This is far from the political shifting of sexes that Hilary Clinton has proven to be a possible change, but is a stepping stone in the right direction for America. We have seen more and more cases of role reversals in American households where the father takes on the stay-at-home duties. Most of these changes are brought on by women that show they are capable and qualified for these positions. However, at what point to we question if they are qualified or are we too politically correct to speech against a woman and be deemed sexist.

Hilary Clinton has been under a microscope for many years now, and is quite possibly the next Democratic candidate for President. “A victory for women everywhere,” some would argue. However, poles would suggest that she is not the feminine leader that most women want. She has a worst approval rating than the “sexist” Donald Trump, according to National Review.

I believe that this desegregation of sexes in America is overdue and is a necessity for us to become a great nation once again. Although, we cannot simply hire a woman to a position because she is a woman.

He Said, She Said

My mother is a preschool teacher. I called her one afternoon and was quickly told to hold on, but could hear her still talking to two little delinquents. “What happened,” she said to the two little boys. What followed was hard to interoperate, but what could be made out was a barrage of babbling and finger-pointing. Both disclaiming the accusations made by the other. The argument came to an end when my mother had finally had enough and told them both to hush and they were both at fault.

This political season can be summed up to an argument made by two 3-year-olds. Fingers pointed at the ready, chests puffed out, and slinging mud at any opportunity. This has been a factor in the presidential race time and time again as Jill Lepore points out in her article, After the Fact.

Americans want another “Honest Abe” figure to lead this country, but today it doesn’t depend who tells the truth. Our opinions hing more on who is discounting everyone more. Donald Trump has left those in the Republic party scratching their heads because they do not know how to handle him. No one has held the other candidates accountable like he has this race. The problem with this is that we cannot differentiate what is a true accusation or just an attempt at creating a catchy nickname. The most frustrated American voter does not really care about what is truth or fiction.

Television and movies have distorted our views of all politicians to the point we believe they are all corrupt. Some are and some are not. In today’s world of lightning-fast information why can we not hold everyone accountable? We live tweet our favorite shows, but why do we not have one integrated into our debates? Fact checking at its finest.

My argument is that we are tired of all the squabbles and name-calling when what we really need is intelligent conversations about how to fix problems. Also, if there is a need to see who is being honest, then how are we not able to prove it when we are so connected in today’s age?

Ignorance is not Innocence

Today’s public has become relatively lazy. We claim that “times have changed” and associate that saying with the fact that information has become free-flowing and rapid. This hunger for everything NOW, NOW, NOW has made us sloppy. Facts are not checked, articles are not being read past opening statements, or even headliners, and our views are being based off of partial information.

The past two presidential races have been won due to these issues. Segment after segment on late night talk shows have illustrated the truth in this where political questions are asked of common citizens on the streets. We replay the YouTube videos of these comical questions about made up candidates and their ignorant responses, but no one calls to light that this is the Mob of the 21st century. In ancient Rome, leaders would try to control the “Mob” by feeding them with entertainment and stray from the true catastrophes at hand. Today’s America is not so different from ancient Rome. We clamber over fantasy football and March Madness more than reading about our economic situation. The average consumer wants to vote for a relatable or popular figure and not research who they choose to represent.

Many have decided to believe that, “If it’s on the internet it must be true,” and only see statements that are out of context. Others have decided to bury their heads and worry about what is on their plate currently and only see themselves as a grain of sand on a beach. “What change can my one vote make?” Realistically one vote will not be the deciding factor of this years race, but millions of educated votes will sculpt an empire.

Kevin Costner’s character in the 2008 movie, Swing Vote, is a decent illustration of what voters of the “Mob” have become. Many do not vote, but those that do are swayed by main stream media outlets or which candidate they thought was funnier on SNL. The 2016 election is showing that more and more Bud Johnson’s are making up the America voter. They applaud Donald Trump for taking on Washington, but when asked of where he stands on relevant topics they are at a loss of words. Building the Great Wall of Mexico will not resolve immigration problems. This is what the “Mob” wants to believe. We are not losing jobs because immigrants are taking them. We are losing jobs because Americans refuse to work for their money like they did when Reagan “Made America Great Again.”

The way to make America great again is to hold our politicians accountable. The way that happens is by becoming educated. Read articles, watch debates instead of exerts from them, and engage in intellectual conversations. Yelling and name calling will only run a great nation into the ground. Have a genuine opinion that is your own and be open to new knowledge that may alter that opinion slightly.

“All the world’s great civilizations have followed the same path. From bondage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy back to bondage. If we are to be the exception to history, then we must break the cycle, for those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

– Molly Johnson (Madeline Carroll), “Swing Vote” 2008