This is what I Believe about My Personal Activism and the Cause:
People are People, and Cultures are Cultures. One cannot blame a particular people or a single person for a particular culture. Not All People who do “Bad Things” are “Bad”. Sometimes people are cruel or irresponsible because they do not understand. There are also some who do not care, and some people do not hear, see or feel what I do. All are different. Then there are those I refer to as the "Walking Dead"… There is no hope for them…
I also believe that others just honestly cannot see past their own beliefs. They have tunnel vision or perhaps they are afraid to step outside their own box in fear the lid might close behind them. Yet if reminded & educated, and enticed over and over, a seed offered may find fertile ground. Education and reinforcement of the value of life is so very important if we are to survive.
I am what one might call a peaceful activist or perhaps even a Pacifistic Activist. After almost 60 years on this Beloved Planet I have found out that "name calling" never gets one to change. So, when I become angry over cruel and ignorant behavior, I do my best not to resort to "cussing them out", but try instead to respond reasonably and appropriately in getting my message across. I try not to judge and call people names who do not believe as I do, as I do not know what is truly in their heart and mind. But, should they call me names, so be it… Laying the truth on the table for people to digest is what I try to do. One cannot digest truth if it is forced down their throat, and when the tone is threatening, one most likely withdraws or attacks. He/she simply and determinedly will not listen. Yet, when one fights back with name calling and cruel comments, I do know that a nerve has been struck. If a nerve is struck, that means at least they are listening. They may not understand or agree, but they are listening.
I believe we must fight for what we believe in. It is best done without destructive measures. One dictionary definition of fight that seems appropriate here is "to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for." I try my best to love people, and believe that hate is a cancer, and I am aware that not everyone will be a believer in the Cause.
People are People, and Cultures are Cultures. One cannot blame a particular people or a single person for a particular culture. Not All People who do “Bad Things” are “Bad”. Sometimes people are cruel or irresponsible because they do not understand. There are also some who do not care, and some people do not hear, see or feel what I do. All are different. Then there are those I refer to as the "Walking Dead"… There is no hope for them…
I also believe that others just honestly cannot see past their own beliefs. They have tunnel vision or perhaps they are afraid to step outside their own box in fear the lid might close behind them. Yet if reminded & educated, and enticed over and over, a seed offered may find fertile ground. Education and reinforcement of the value of life is so very important if we are to survive.
I am what one might call a peaceful activist or perhaps even a Pacifistic Activist. After almost 60 years on this Beloved Planet I have found out that "name calling" never gets one to change. So, when I become angry over cruel and ignorant behavior, I do my best not to resort to "cussing them out", but try instead to respond reasonably and appropriately in getting my message across. I try not to judge and call people names who do not believe as I do, as I do not know what is truly in their heart and mind. But, should they call me names, so be it… Laying the truth on the table for people to digest is what I try to do. One cannot digest truth if it is forced down their throat, and when the tone is threatening, one most likely withdraws or attacks. He/she simply and determinedly will not listen. Yet, when one fights back with name calling and cruel comments, I do know that a nerve has been struck. If a nerve is struck, that means at least they are listening. They may not understand or agree, but they are listening.
I believe we must fight for what we believe in. It is best done without destructive measures. One dictionary definition of fight that seems appropriate here is "to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for." I try my best to love people, and believe that hate is a cancer, and I am aware that not everyone will be a believer in the Cause.
