If this doesn’t put the fear of God into you…

Some thoughts on recent events in US politics and using freedom of speech to unify, not divide

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As someone who has loved writing and always recognized the power of words—to enlighten, to educate, to entertain—I choose to use my freedom of speech/expression to try to impact the world in a positive way.

We all woke up here one day, on this planet, trying to piece together a coherent picture of what the world is, what life is, and how we exist in relation to others.

I was raised to treat people with kindness, respect, and empathy.

Not being an asshole is literally the bare minimum for basic human decency—and generally a tolerance of others (within reason) who are living completely different versions of the human experience than you.

None of us asked to be born into this world, but many of us were taught that we could be anything we wanted to be, and that the world is what we make it.

So how did we get here?

With all of us “normal people” so powerless to exercise our agency to shape the future?

Why are these powerful figures seemingly so hellbent on dividing us and perpetuating the very conflicts that could potentially escalate into a state of global terror and doom?

History teaches us tyranny doesn’t end well. And the digital age puts us on a completely different playing field.

Do they not realize everything they do is being documented and immortalized?

Every ignorant, hateful remark? All the cruelty that people do?

Do they not recognize we are all human beings who just want the same things they do? Maybe not so much the wealth, but love, happiness, safety/shelter, etc.

Why are they amplifying the differences between us and using that as justification to be hateful, cruel and violent to one another?

We do all have one thing in common though.

Suffering.

Life Is suffering.

To be alive is to hurt deeply.

This is something we all share.

The future that is being moulded into existence right now is dark, dismal, and dystopian—something countless banned books have depicted time and time again.

If societal conflicts continue to escalate (which they tend to do), there will be no more world, no more civilization.

If this possibilty doesn’t put the fear of God into you, you’re not paying attention.

Anyone down for an Empathy Renaissance?