When Will People Get Their Priorities Straight?

As much as I love a good discussion/debate, I have to admit that I am a bit saddened at the mere fact that I even have to write this blog. Maybe some of you won't agree with me, and that's all well and good, but after everything I've been hearing and reading the last couple of weeks, I felt it was time to speak up and say something.

All I see/hear much any more on the news, my friends' Facebook posts, and even in conversation at work are complaints about how awful our government is, how crappy our educational system has gotten, how outraged everyone is at the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, etc. Complaints...that's it. No words of encouragement...no plausible solutions.

People just seem content to talk about how bad things have gotten or how they would have done it differently, but yet I rarely see anyone do anything more than talk. Not to mention, a lot of discussion around these topics (and many others) is regurgitated political rhetoric at best.  I will be the first to admit that there are people on both sides of the proverbial "aisle" who do nothing but spout the party line and post and re-post items that are just political soundbites. But I know we can do better than this...I have to believe we can.

Not to totally rehash a previous post (March 1st - "The Real Reasons Our Society is Falling Apart"), but I feel that several main premises need to be restated:

1. Everyone is so willing to complain, but few are willing to offer solutions. 
2. Until an issue affects someone directly, few are willing to fight for it even if it's important. [The exception to this rule occurs in cases where my additional premise #1 (below) applies.]
3. Hate is too often replacing love as a family value. 
4. People are getting caught up with the short-term that they completely overlook the long-term effects. 

To these I would add:

1. Media sensationalism has caused people to lose all sense of propriety and common sense. 
2. Our country has lost its sense of community and what it means to be a part of one. 

Why have we as a society become so engrossed in what the national and international media outlets deem as worthy news? Yes, we do need to rely on outside sources to help us stay connected in many senses with what's going on around the world, but too many of these outlets have veered toward sensationalism instead of responsible journalism.  A perfect case would be the Casey Anthony trial.

By no means do I want to belittle the death of an innocent two-year old girl or downplay the tragedy that her family and that community has suffered as a result of her death and the trial (and subsequent acquittal) of her mother as her murderer.  But why is THIS story so compelling that people have flown in around from all parts of the country to visit the site of where Caylee's body was found, have stood in line for days to get a "ticket" for a seat in the courtroom, and have literally caused people to be so outraged that they blast on their Facebook profiles for days about the verdict like it their child or someone close to them who was killed??? 

To me, this is pure insanity. It is one child who unfortunately had her life cut so tragically short. But is is ONE child. It is ONE story. Where is the moral and public outrage for the THOUSANDS of children that go missing or are killed in this country every year? Why aren't their stories given the same amount of attention? 

What about the senseless murders of adults that occur on a daily basis? What about my classmate's brother who was murdered just last week and left behind two young sons? Are the people of Florida, California, Tennessee, Maine, etc. going to come here and visit the site where his body was found? Are they going to sit in court every day to make sure that his killers are tried and convicted? I feel safe to say that they won't.  People in his hometown aren't even giving his tragic story the attention it deserves. I just don't get it...

Where are everyone's priorities? What happened to us as a community uplifting everyone and being there to comfort each other in times of need? When did something like a tragic death become a box office production complete with tickets to the front row?  It is sick, and the people who feed into it need help. 

Furthermore, when did we as a society start taking pleasure in watching and pursuing the misery of others? I know we are all guilty at one point in time of wishing bad karma on people who have done us wrong. I will be the first to admit I have felt that way before, even here recently. I think it's natural to feel that way from time to time, but the level at which our media and many groups in our society have taken it is unhealthy. 

In the end, what does all of this accomplish? NOTHING. In the end, this poor child is dead, her family is wrecked beyond belief, and in six months these people who have dedicated their "lives" to this story and the cause will have moved on to the next big headline until Barbara Walters or Katie Couric does a story looking back at the life and trial of Casey Anthony or until the Lifetime Movie Network creates a "based on a true story" movie about the entire situation like they've done every other major headline and trial for the couple of decades.

Instead of pouring your hearts and souls into expressing your moral outrage through your blog posts, Facebook updates, calling into TV and radio shows, and creating events like "porch lights for Caylee", why don't you actually try doing something productive that will help a child now or make things better down the road for future children?  Examples could include working with your state legislature to create tougher laws against child abusers and wife beaters, helping to mentor at-risk youth to show them good role models to aspire to be like, volunteer at a domestic violence shelter, volunteer to be a CASA advocate, join your neighborhood watch to help create safer neighborhoods, help work with authorities to stop child trafficking and find missing children/teens/at risk adults, etc.  Unfortunately, the opportunities are endless, yet so greatly needed. 

Besides trying to raise awareness of this situation, what am I doing?  Well, for starters, I have donated to many organizations who work to better the lives of at risk women and children. I have also worked with legislators to improve laws protecting people from abuse and increasing punishment for the abusers. On a personal note, I have worked for years to help a dear friend and her children out of a very tough situation and will continue to do so as long as it takes for them to be safe and have healthy, happy lives.  Finally, I am going back to law school to get a degree that will help me to assist more people in need of protection and a hand up. I want to be the type of lawyer who protects those without a voice. Maybe one day I can work for UNICEF or the UN to help women, children, and communities worldwide, but for now, I want to make a difference in my community and help as many as I can here.  

It's time for us to stop talking about making a difference and do it. I challenge each of you to do one thing this year that will make a real difference in the life or lives of those in need.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Mohandas Gandhi