In a nation where some people put greater value on the lives of pets than that of humans, it is time to rethink what it means to be humane to another human being. While I agree, it is inhumane to abuse animals. Our society, however, has become a travesty because of the insensitive attitude towards one another. Some of us seem to be less concerned about abuse to humans. And this is a violation of our human right to be emotionally safe.
We the people believe we are protected because we have a military, police force and a prison system. Yet, there is no code of ethics when it comes to the emotional abuses human beings experience from one another. Those abuses include and are not limited to invalidation, blaming, proving someone wrong, justifying inappropriate behavior and dong our best to dominate another. Even those who perpetuate being the victim without taking responsibility or those who constantly play the infamous devil’s advocate are included in the list of offenders.
From an intimate perspective, when lack the skills get in the way of matrimony, we think divorce is the solution. The divorce process ranks as one of the most inhumane activities a person can experience. And we drag our children through it as though they should get over it. Unfortunately, they never do.
In addition, parents, teachers and the youth emotionally and physically abuse our children. Furthermore, those same children are exposed to verbal and physical violence in the media as well as their communities. What do we do as adults? We look the other way. We are more easily disturbed emotionally when we see abuse towards animals.
We have become desensitized about mistreatment towards human beings. Unfortunately, our children have also become emotionally indifferent about violence. Apathy towards violence is part of the culture of being a child in the US. Therefore, there should be no surprise when our youth open fire with a violent rage towards other children.
This dilemma of violence has become the responsibility of the nation, not the parents of so-called bad children. Children only imitate adults. For example, every time you get into your car and demonstrate road rage, you contribute to the desensitization of violence. The same happens when you emotionally abuse your child or significant other.
Emotional abuse has become so pervasive that people have come to believe that it is part of being human. We manipulate one another in business, family and love affairs. While it seems we are winning, we are pushing societal values down one more notch.
Worse yet, we admire and reward the harsh manager who is verbally abusive to his subordinates. We call him a tough and successful businessman. The fact we continue to reward this attitude in business exacerbates the situation. We never look at the cost. When we do pay a price for this delinquent adult behavior, it shows up in our children. And as we deny our contribution to the bad behavior of children, we blame it on gun control and politics.
If you observe closely, you will see that guns don’t kill. People do. If you examine why people kill, you will find that the culture of what it means to be a human being allows anger to be expressed through guns. Adults legalize killing by calling it war or law enforcement.
Until every adult on the planet has had enough of the violence in any form, it will continue. Perhaps it will stop when the children turn against us in devastating masses.
If you truly want to stop the violence, stop it in your own home. Be more humane towards your significant other. Eliminate manipulation from your mind. Stop the road rage. Turn the television off for a week or month. Engage your family in activities that empower everyone and make you closer. Take a walk together. Make sure the family eats together. Get to know one another everyday, not when something is wrong.
There are an infinite number of activities you can do with your close ones that can serve as new experiences or learning opportunities. The choice is yours.
How will you contribute to eliminating violence in your community?
