It is amazing how many conflicts are going on in the world today, how many countries are fighting for new governments, while others are celebrating topples of old ones. Earthquakes are destroying countries and towns, but people never fail to rise up and help. It's beautiful. Crazy things are always happening around the globe- earthquakes, tsumanis, and wars have always occurred. It is pretty naive to think otherwise. But, this is a time of beauty. A time to strive for peace.
People are donating so much time and money to help others around the world. There are so many generous, giving, caring people out there, and it is increasingly obvious that the
world view has changed drastically when it comes to how to deal with international issues. Even here in the
USA, where we are stereotypically incredibly ethnocentric, people are starting to realize more compassion.
One event that seems to show this inevitably, is the
death of
Osama Bin Ladin. Yes, there was a lot of celebrating here in the US. A lot. I live in New York City- people were crying and going crazy. I get it.
BUT, even on the day of the event, people were posting on
Facebook, carrying signs in the street, and talking about how it was wrong to celebrate death. That fake
Martin Luther King Jr. quote was circulating like wildfire, and even though the quote was fake, it was an excellent message- "I will not celebrate the death of one". Within a few days, more people whom I talked to about the issue stated that celebrating his death was morally corrupt, even though he had caused so much pain and suffering. Very few believed that they were justified in celebrating his death, in any way. Even a few people who ran into the street in jubilation the day of the killing have tweeted, Facebooked, or talked to me about how they now see that they were wrong to do what they did. This viewpoint seems to have quickly become the prevailing attitude- that celebrating the death of someone, no matter how heinous their crimes, even if they killed someone you knew, even if they were your sworn enemy, is wrong.
Wow...I'm impressed. Frankly, I've never felt more optimistic about the human race in my life. If there was ever a sign that humanity continues its move forward, in the correct direction, this is it. Maybe I'm wrongly optimistic, but I see, historically, that we are in one of the most peaceful times ever. And, as we spread awareness and want for compassion, we will only continue forward, and prove that love and understanding will win in the end. That humanity can rise above violence, and put a desire for revenge aside.
An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
Cheers, all. Enjoy some photographs of the
Gandhi statue, in
Union Square, surrounded by pink blossoms. He'd be proud of your vigilance towards human life.
Seriously. Cheers.
Manhattan,
New York City, New York, USA
