20 Years After

Good Afternoon All - A Sweet Passover to my Jews, and an early Happy Easter to all Christians.

Despite the celebratory times of the holidays, it is also a somber anniversary.  20 years ago, two misguided and disturbed teenagers killed a large number of their high school classmates, and then did the same to themselves.  At the time, it was the largest and most tragic school shooting in history.

Unfortunately, little has been learned since that horrible event.  A generation later:

(1)  The issue of Second Amendment vs. Gun Control remains at odds.  And even more, and even worse school shootings have still occurred.

(2)  The issue of bullying was inserted into the spotlight like never before.  Every state in the union adopted anti-bullying programs.  Schools are mandated to crack down on bullying behavior just as they do on racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.  Despite this, bullying still exists, and those victimized by it are sometimes driven to suicide.

(3)  With the expansion of the online communications available in the 1990's to what we now call social media, the opportunity for hate and disrespect has evolved exponentially.

Social scientists and psychologists sometimes state that this it is human nature, due to the fight-or-flight response we have inherited from our pre-historic forbears, to be adversarial, to strive for dominance, and to gravitate towards conflict.  They also sometimes compare this with behavior patterns of other species of the animal kingdom to justify their conclusions.

However, unlike our forbears and other species, human beings still also have the capacity to be kind, unflappable, and resilient in the face of adversity.  To be respectful to others regardless of differences, to shrug off the baggage of grudges and resentment when the voyage has ended, and to seek common threads despite our differences.

Moreover, they also have the capacity to understand what is within their control and what is beyond it.  The very existence of others of whom we are less than fond, and their successes they achieve despite that, is not within our control.  Their presence in our homes, families, and immediate circles, however, most certainly is within our purview.

So what can we learn, before it becomes 50 years since this tragedy, that we have not already learned?

(1)  We can accept that the rest of the world is not kind, respectful, understanding, warm, or even nice.  And we can still be that way regardless, because we understand what's right and wrong on a level that they often don't.

(2)  We can refuse to remain resentful or vengeful against those who have spoken ill about us or sought to make themselves look better than us.  There's a Boss Lady known as OMLK who will call upon them to account for their misdeeds.  While that's on Her docket, we can simply decide that we're no longer hurt or angry at them, and refuse to be continuously victimized.

(3)  We can set boundaries against those in our circle who honestly expect to continue behavior that is disrespectful towards us with no consequences.  And we can instead welcome people into our lives who are more interested in sharing and understanding than in insulting and judging. 

Emotional Maturity.  Point of Evaporation.  Removal and Replacement.

If these are practiced more, most of the issues we have in this life will be rendered moot.

Let's honor the memory of the victims of that tragedy and make this a world where this is less likely to happen.

I EXIST.  I MATTER.  I BELONG.  I DESERVE.

RESPECT ALL.  BEFRIEND FEW.  LOVE ONE.  HATE NONE.