We live in a truly amazing country. We have the ability to speak out when we disagree with each other or our government leaders. We are all equally allowed to vote, men...women...of every race, religion, or sexual orientation. And that is more than what most of the rest of the world can say. America has it's downfalls, I'm not going to pretend it doesn't, but coming from the generation that claims to be a generation of love, I think we need to be reminded what that looks like.
The definition of love according to the dictionary is this:
1: A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
2: A feeling of warm, passionate attachment to another person, like a parent, child, or friend
{Now there are 3 other examples, but all have to do with physically passionate relationships, and I'm not including those because they don't have anything to do with what I'm talking about.}
For the most part, I can say the city I have lived in my whole life has been an example of a loving home: we treat each other with kindness and respect. But the things I saw last night make me wonder if we know what real love looks like.
I remember being a kid, and throwing tantrums when I didn't get my way, but there is one time in particular that stands out.
My mom and I were at a store, and I saw a doll I wanted. It was when they first came out with a certain overly sexy doll made for girls, and I wasn't allowed to have them. I didn't know at the time that my parents were trying to protect me from accepting unrealistic body ideals as reality, but as an adult, I get it.
Anyway, my mom told me "no", and I had a giant meltdown, at one point telling her that I hated her. I know that seems like a drastic overreaction, because I love my mom dearly, and to this day consider her one of my best friends, but in my immature mind, I associated love with getting what I wanted.
I fear that is what we do as a society. We love conditionally. As long as we get our way, as long as we are given what we want, we are loving, but holy Portlandia, if we don't...tantrums break out.
In no way am I saying that there shouldn't be protests. The fact we can have free speech is something I love about this country. But, do it respectfully. Alice Paul, one of the greatest American women in my mind, never threw tantrums. She never smashed windows, she never hurt small businesses, she never rioted. She stood her ground, said what she believed, and found a way to WORK for it. She didn't almost die in prison so that we could burn flags, smash the windows of small businesses, and shut down freeways.
These riots need to stop. Now. I am ashamed that there are small children watching grown adults start fires in the streets by burning our flag. I am embarrassed that my friends in other countries are calling my asking if I am safe, as if there has been an attack. I am tired of hearing that we are a city of love, when in reality, we have become a city that is known for whining, crying, and tantrum throwing when they don't agree with something. It's a shame that these riots are being held by adults, because all I see are toddlers who had their toy taken away. I am horrified for those who protest in peace and who are respectful, because they get put in the same category as the people who are destroying our city.
I'm tired of staying up all night, waiting to know the people I love get home safely, because they are the first responders who have to move rioters away from major streets and keep them from blocking parents from getting home to their children.
If you want a better world, then be a better person. Start with yourself. Stop throwing fits. When I think of great Americans who protested to bring love and peace and unity to this country, women like Alice Paul or Rosa Parks. Men like Martin Luther King Jr. ... None of them lit things on fire. None of them kept parents from their children by shutting down entire freeways. None of them put others at risk by blocking streets leading to hospitals. They didn't destroy small businesses and parks. They spoke up out of love and respect for each other. They valued human life and showed affection and unconditional love for those around them. They understood that throwing a fit was not how you bring change, but working together for the greater good was going to bring much more progress.
I can't say I'm thrilled about our new president, but I wasn't really thrilled about any of our choices. But whoever is in the White House, it doesn't matter, because acting our of immaturity and fear is what is tearing our country apart. If every person who reads this can commit to loving people unconditionally, no matter what differences we have, but can look into the eyes of another person and say "I value you and you deserve respect", then we will change our country. Worry about who is next to you, not who is above you, because being the president doesn't make you a better person, it means you have a hard job. Show compassion, not just for those who agree with you, but those who are different. I know my brother and I see differently politically, but that doesn't mean I love him less. We are hurting as a county, as a nation we are falling apart. Lets stop with all the conditional love and just value and respect everyone around us. I'm tired, just like the rest of you, so open your hearts...and lets bring the love back to the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Love unconditionally, and wander always.
{The Grounded Gypsy}
