My gosh, what is going on?
It seems like this summer has been one disturbing story
after another. On the international scale, it began with Israel engaging in
battle with the militant group Hamas. Then there was the passenger plane that
was shot down by Russian separatists. Then, in graphic detail, we were
introduced to ISIS and their horrific behavior in the Middle East and toward
captured prisoners.
Domestically, the big story for several weeks was the
controversial shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. Then unbelievably, a gun range
shooting instructor was killed when a nine year old was being taught how to
shoot an Uzi. Finally, there was the nauseating story of the ice bucket
challenge that seemingly was used to humiliate a student with Autism in Bay
Village.
However, getting as much attention as those issues has been
what been what is going on in the sports world. A second NBA owner will now be
selling his team due to racist comments made to others in management. In the
NFL, the conversation has surrounded the shocking video of domestic abuse by
Baltimore Raven running back, Ray Rice. Unfortunately for the NFL, it did not
stop there as several other players are facing domestic abuse charges and star
running back Adrian Peterson is facing child abuse charges. Finally, on the
local level, many were appalled when the Steubenville football player convicted
of rape returned to the football team.
It’s been one thing after another, each one with a different
sense of emotion—anger, shock, disappointment and sadness. The commonality
among headlines has been violence and cruelty directed at other human beings—often
based on religion, race, gender and disability.
These issues have stirred debate after debate between
newscasters, journalists, bloggers and experts. Rightly so, these are important
issues and in some circumstances the issues are complex. There has been the
normal share of grandstanding—exaggeration and hyperbole. There has also been
rush to judgment and commentary by those with agendas, which likewise limit
productive debate.
Time, space and redundancy prohibit a meaningful analysis of
any of these in considerable detail. For many issues, I share the common concern
and opinion, such as: Why does a nine year need to learn how to shoot an Uzi? How
could Ray Rice hit his future wife like that? Is the Gaza strip ever going to
be free of conflict?
On a social level, which is always interesting to me, there
are parts of the conflicts that are difficult to understand. What are we going
to do with terrorist groups and what possesses people to inflict such fear and
anger toward others based on arbitrary religious beliefs? Why do fans show such support to athletes; for
it seems that a star player can do just about anything and still enjoy the love
and forgiveness of fans? When it comes
to racial matters, why does it seem that political affiliation determines the
one’s perspective of the issue?
Finally, there is the frustration of trying to get to the
truth. From the Ferguson shooting to the NFL’s investigation of Ray Rice, there
is an ever-changing circulation of fact, myth and denial. Obviously, before
forming an opinion on the issue, it’s important to have all the facts. Too
often, we’ve seen, and for obvious reason, there is lying, deceit and cover-up.
With all of the news outlets and availability of social media, there is a lot
of information and misinformation. And, just as appalling, there is the
influence of financial considerations. Many times, companies and intuitions
like the NFL, don’t make decisions based on principle, but rather financial
impact.
It’s been a depressing few months. It has had a real effect
on me—and it has been suggested that I stop watching the news. However, these
are serious issues: sexual assault/domestic violence, terrorism, racism, war,
shootings, bullying and child abuse. These issues should be regarded as
avoidable and unacceptable, and we need a societal evolution that is less
understanding and forgiving of acts of violence and cruelty. We need to stop accepting
the excuses—whether they are political, religious/cultural or financial.
Enough is enough.