I Can't

The face of the future...

...stay silent anymore.
...fathom a world where in any corner it is acceptable for our children to be murdered.
...understand how the adults of the human race are not utterly outraged at the things that continue to happen on our watch. Seriously. W.T.F??????

It has become a daily struggle for me to remain silent in the face of unbelievable madness. How is it okay for a child to sit in their English class and before the end of the day, be shot during the course of their studies? How is it okay to excuse people at any level who are supportive of pedophiles? Spouse abusers? Predators who pray on their co-workers, patients, etc.? Are we "the people" of the human race completely blind, and/or complacent to the vile deeds done around the globe? And if the answer is "yes", how does ANYONE sleep at night? 

I realize that most adults have to go to work, do laundry, pay their bills, etc., eeeking out an existence in a world that is frequently difficult and a life that will flat out kick you in the face sometimes. I understand that we are, for real, entitled to the lens by which we process anything and everything around us. But there are certain things we should all be able to agree upon that are just NOT O.K. We live in a world with complicated problems, deal with a day to day that is, mostly, completely out of our control. And yet, here I sit, after days, and weeks, and months of news media, social media, coffee break conversations where more and more I hear the words coming out of others' mouths and ask myself, "Are you kidding me?" I am mortified at our lack of care and compassion for one another. I am astounded at what has become "acceptable". And for the first time in my life, I fully understand how we have become so "divided". 

If you can defend the horrifying misdeeds of others, I can no longer look you in the eyes and excuse or ignore our differences. I cannot be true to my own passionate convictions of a life lived with compassion and care of others, a life I spend trying to leave a positive mark on, while keeping close to me those who are completely happy, or worse, complacent, to the destruction of others. I am so proud to see it when children here in America and around the world stand up and say, "We're going to make the world a better place." Since the first day I stepped into a classroom, I have encouraged my students to do just that. From the moment I became a mother, I encouraged my girls, as well. And as I look at that tiny human (my precious grandchild) who has become a part of our family, I am almost frantic to change all that is "wrong" in the world that he will grow up in. Our children, my children deserve better than "this." 

I am constantly searching for ways that I, personally, can make a difference when the parameters are so overwhelmingly huge. I have thought of running for some political office, but after extensive research on the matter concluded that it is not the most effective means to use my voice. For now, my work as a teacher and my co-career in writing are the best way for me to help shape the future, as well as advocate my positions. These things feel small in light of the glaring issues at hand, however if I am patient (and I'm totally not), they will bear fruit. Eventually. *sigh* And while I am the kind of woman who says, "My thoughts and prayers are with you," and means it, I am also a woman who feels as if more decisive action is necessary. Future generations deserve everything I have to give to ensure they receive a better world.