Over the past week or so, I've become disconcerted about the state of the nation. So much is going on right now: injustice, death, and sadness suffuse our everyday lives, and yet I think we're distracted.
The BP Oilspill is still raging on yet we can't help but throw accusatory fingers (or even prayers as directed by Kim Kardashian) at Lindsay Lohan for her reckless behavior that has potentially landed her in prison and rehab.
Oscar Grant's killer, a BART officer who supposedly mistook a gun for a taser while Grant was already handcuffed on the ground with a knee to the back and whose indiscretion cost the life of said victim, was charged with simple involuntary manslaughter, a sentence that carries a maximum of four years and will most likely not be served in full. And yet barely two hours after the reading of the verdict, people are tweeting and updating their Facebook statuses about Lebron's team choice with no mention of this despicable example of injustice.
Are we not in a recession? Are our streets not plagued with violence? Is homophobia not alive and well not only in our churches but in our legislation? Are we so blinded by material, worldly objects, and other people's lives that we don't care about the things most directly influencing our daily lives? Do we need distractions that much? Is our attention span that short?
I'm not saying that we shouldn't pay attention to Lohan or James, but let's put things into perspective. Let's remember the very real challenges that are making a mark on our lives. Because, let's face it, LeBron ain't signing your unemployment check or cleaning up the Gulf.
The BP Oilspill is still raging on yet we can't help but throw accusatory fingers (or even prayers as directed by Kim Kardashian) at Lindsay Lohan for her reckless behavior that has potentially landed her in prison and rehab.
Oscar Grant's killer, a BART officer who supposedly mistook a gun for a taser while Grant was already handcuffed on the ground with a knee to the back and whose indiscretion cost the life of said victim, was charged with simple involuntary manslaughter, a sentence that carries a maximum of four years and will most likely not be served in full. And yet barely two hours after the reading of the verdict, people are tweeting and updating their Facebook statuses about Lebron's team choice with no mention of this despicable example of injustice.
Are we not in a recession? Are our streets not plagued with violence? Is homophobia not alive and well not only in our churches but in our legislation? Are we so blinded by material, worldly objects, and other people's lives that we don't care about the things most directly influencing our daily lives? Do we need distractions that much? Is our attention span that short?
I'm not saying that we shouldn't pay attention to Lohan or James, but let's put things into perspective. Let's remember the very real challenges that are making a mark on our lives. Because, let's face it, LeBron ain't signing your unemployment check or cleaning up the Gulf.
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