Local News

 The latest shooting, robbery, traffic accident, violence, injuries, death, and other tragedies come first on the local news.  Much is labeled BREAKING NEWS to grab the attention of the viewer.  The more sensational, the better.  Plus, if video footage is available, the more reason to present the story.  If our local community doesn't have enough bad news, stations add bad things that have happened elsewhere.  Weather reports usually follow (actually helpful to plan our day) and celebrity tidbits are added.  Sports coverage gets its due which provides free advertising for the home teams.

The local TV stations have decided what is newsworthy.  They seem to think they must present these violent stories in order to keep up with their competition. These stories fill our minds and often are conversation starters.  Our community gets an unfair bad reputation because the sensational stories are emphasized on the local news.  

Other important events deserve to be reported which would shed favorable light on the community, but for some reason they are omitted.  Some people have chosen to stop watching the news because of the negative stories often repeated through the day.  Local news is not the only guilty party.  The national news also emphasizes similar types of stories from around the country and the world.   

Social Justice

      Social justice only occurs when everyone has equal rights.  Some groups have more advantages or privileges than others which leads to inequality.  Many people find it hard to admit that they are privileged.  They feel that their families have worked hard to be where they are today and didn't receive any privileged treatment.  Often they view others as products of families who didn't work as hard or didn't make the right decisions which may have led to their situation.

     Even though we profess that everyone is treated equally by the traditions of our society and the laws of our country, a closer look will show how the white race and the male gender have been allocated more benefits than other races and women of every race; therefore, these groups are privileged.  The original US Constitution, written by white males, did not consider African-Americans, Native Americans, or women in general.  These groups have had to fight are are still fighting for equal rights and opportunities. 

     Our history, written primarily by white males, emphasized their lives and accomplishments while often omitting the contributions of others.  Military endeavors prevailed.  Since men were allowed more education and time to pursue personal development, their new ideas and inventions were recorded.  This was made possible by the subservient lives of females, wives, and slaves. Those in power increased their wealth while other groups remained financially dependent.

     Those with white skin have had advantages and privileges which placed them in their situations. Hard work was not the only factor.  Plus males in general have had more power since civilization began because women had very little.  Other groups like LGBTQ have also had to fight for their rights.

     We can't avoid noticing race and gender that will often bring up past stereotypes and prejudices.  These differences should not affect our desire that all are treated equally.  Social justice demands that.  Things have gotten better over the past decades, but much improvement is still needed.  Please recognize when you are privileged and promote social justice.

Desperation

      A state of mind caused by losing hope of reaching a goal can cause various reactions. Some people persevere and continue to work toward the goal thinking things will get better.  Perhaps they will rethink their goal and plan other ways to achieve what they need.

     Some have been known to deny what is true, even lie to themselves and create a new narrative.  Political figures have denied that an election was lost or assume that the election process was faulty.  Some states have convinced themselves that the election process needs changed, but perhaps they just will do what it takes to change the process to favor their party or suppress the opposition.  They are desperate.

     Many people around the world are trying to obtain the bare necessities to survive.  Their native countries may be at war, governed by dictators or corrupt leaders, allowing dangerous gangs to exist.  Extreme poverty, hunger, and lack of education may also cause desperation.  Sometimes, the only solution is to leave their country and find a home elsewhere.

     When we can't meet a goal no matter how hard we try, desperation can creep in.  We need to consider if what we want is what we need.  Desperation can cause us to rethink and even improve our situation, only if we are flexible and determined.  

Congratulations Class of 2021!

Your senior year has been beyond unique, yet you have succeeded in your goal of graduation.  Virtual learning, social distancing, wearing masks, and giving up a more normal senior year has been a great sacrifice and accomplishment.  Some of you became sick and had friends and relatives suffer.  As you slowly return to a more normal life, you will appreciate regaining the freedoms you temporarily lost.  Be patient and follow the advice of the scientists. 

This year hasn't been completely negative.  You found ways to keep connected with each other and had the opportunity to spend lots of time with family.  You learned to protect yourself and therefore protected others.  Perhaps you will be more prepared to be independent learners which will be an asset in life after graduation.  Seeing how the whole world had to face a common problem and find solutions should make you realize how human beings are basically the same, want to be healthy and live satisfying lives.  Technology has allowed us to see how others live, and therefore we can appreciate the advantages we have in the USA.  We have also became more aware of our political system and how democracy must be protected.  Please get involved in your government and use your vote to better your community, state, and country.  Some of you may even choose to become leaders.

Just like this year has been unique, realize that each of you is also unique.  Your experiences can make you wiser.  You have the opportunity to expand your talents, prepare yourself for the adult world, and understand what is important to you and how you can contribute to the betterment of our world.  Try to choose a career that you will enjoy.  As you understand yourself better, realize the advantages of understanding others.  Even though we are all basically the same, many differences can divide us.  Please try to understand  and appreciate other points of view and have empathy for other people around you and around the world.   Also learn ways to keep our environment healthy.  Your generation may find solutions to improve and restore our habitat. 

Many of you will be leaving your family home for further education.  Always remember how your family loves and cares for you.  Also realize what your teachers have done for you over the years.

Congratulations Class of 2021! 

 

Vaccine

 

A foreign substance enters our arm, then our body gets busy learning how to fight the virus.  Later, if the COVID virus enters our system, our body remembers how to fight.  We trust that science knows what best to put into vaccines to train our bodies to respond to the actual virus.

Nature produces organisms that can be good or bad for humans.  Humans must learn how to accept, adapt to, or fight against these organisms.  Nature allows viruses to mutate, and at the same time, enables scientists to expand their knowledge and create ways to combat harmful organisms.  This is part of evolution and the survival of the fittest.

We humans also need to evolve our thinking, but sometimes something blocks reality from taking hold.  Outdated ideas from the past linger.  Logic doesn't always prevail.  We may trust people who claim to understand better than we do.  When our minds need help evolving, we may need a shot of reality,  a vaccine to help us fight off harmful thinking.

Risks

 

By wearing a mask, we reduce the risk of passing on a virus or bacteria to others.  This helps everyone by curtailing the number of people becoming infected, becoming sick, requiring hospital care, suffering and dying.  Consider how each death causes tragedy in the families losing loved ones.  Social distancing, washing hands, and other measures are also better for everyone.  In addition, vaccinations will greatly reduce the risk.  Then why do some people take the risk of not following these measures?  

The tendency of some people not understanding science and doubting scientific advice can be one explanation.   Ignorance is no excuse in these times of the proliferation of information.  Inconvenience and adopting new habits might be another reason.  Some people just want to do what they want without considering the ramifications to themselves and others.  These selfish impulses show immaturity.  Unfortunately, some risk-takers believe false information.

Anytime you take a risk, the effects can be positive or negative.  The higher the risk, the more probable something bad may happen.  Often, the results are unpredictable.  When your health is concerned and the health of others is at stake, please follow the advice of the experts.

Weaving

 

Two yarns interlace together to form a cloth.  Husband and wife combine to form a marriage.  Children are  added to form a fabric of life.  

As children marry, they leave their original  family which may feel like a loss of sorts.  A new family begins.  Their children are added. The original family continues with just a warp and weft.

When one spouse is no longer present, the weaving stops and the marriage has been completed.  What remains at the end is the fringe.  Often widows and widowers feel like they are on the fringe, no longer part of the weaving of life, no longer an integral part of a cloth.  The remaining spouse can look back on their life and be proud of the cloth they have woven.