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I recently read a quote from the actor Denzel Washington, which most likely does not come from him at all. It doesn’t matter who said or wrote that, but he or she speaks from my heart. “With so many things coming back in style, I can’t wait until morals, respect, and intelligence become a trend again.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if not only the 90s baggy jeans or the 70s bell-bottoms would come back soon but also intellect, decency, respect, and morality? I think empathy, a sense of responsibility, solution orientation, charity, and friendliness could also use a renaissance.
Some things are coming back that I thought were banned for good. Some of the major Republicans are pushing to change the divorce laws back to the 60’s. “No fault” would fly out. Why? It’s not the right question to ask, it doesn’t matter why, the question is who would gain from it? Men of course. The angry white men! The angry black man! The angry Asian man! The angry Latino man! All violent men! The husband who likes to cheat! The husband who likes to beat! The husband who drinks and gambles the money away. All these husbands would be king again! What a wonderful world it would be!
It’s a disgusting back step, and another drastic cut into women’s rights. Will the women who consider voting for yet another Republican ever wake up?
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I have absolutely no idea how to make it through the next five election months. Should Biden resign? Yes, and so should Trump. I watched part of the debate and they are both unfit and both too old. I live with an older man, I know all about it and he is 15 years younger (and worked hard all his life which might make a difference.) The debate was an eye-opener, a train wreck. One looked like a deer in the headlights, the other spun one lie after the other, didn’t answer one question truthfully, and made propaganda.
BTW this post happened when I started writing about my June 🙂 I am telling you my mind is like a junk drawer.
You know what else I discovered by accident when I celebrated Zambia on my blog last month because they don’t allow child marriages anymore. I celebrated Africa and forgot where I live. Yes, here in the US child marriage, especially the ones that include very young girls, is still booming and allowed in so many states. Sometimes even down to the age of 12. It disgusts me on so many levels, that I can’t find words for it.
Why is it still allowed? Or should I ask again who gains from it? Simple. There are no pedophiles in the church, only old men who happen to have very young wives. Go figure! Religion is the reason why we still allow child marriages. And I am not talking about a marriage between a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old. No, I am talking about the one where the husband is in his 30s or 40s and the poor girl is underage -by a lot. What a disgusting business. And why don’t we talk about it more often?
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The simultaneity of the many horrors in the world bothers me to my core. Also, the awareness of my own, very privileged life, which I try to enjoy because we all have only one life to live (until proven otherwise). And the more often I see how quickly a peaceful existence can be threatened or even ended, the more I become attached to the banal moments of my life. Social and political issues occupy me every day, but at the same time, I know what a luxury it is that I can block them out if I want to. At least for a moment. Because ignoring the news is not my thing either. A long time ago, at the tender age of thirteen after a history class, I decided to always be informed.
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And how could I not?
Because if we no longer look and don’t name things, how is anything supposed to move? But I’ll be honest, even if I would like to make at least a small activist contribution here on my blog I sometimes feel overwhelmed by what to write about.
There is simply too much going on at the same time that should actually be addressed because it concerns me. Too many thoughts are racing through my head, too many headlines, too many topics. Quite often I sit here on my desk and fall into a real writing paralysis and I realize that I want more, so much more.
Maybe I should just accept that we can all just be a drop in the ocean. The other day someone told me, “Just look and don’t read the news anymore, then you’ll feel better.” That’s certainly true. But I am even more afraid of increasing indifference and the withdrawal of people who actually have good intentions because even the ocean needs the drops of water.
I will never understand why people act so hatefully against everything that may go beyond their own narrow horizon and does not correspond to their own model of life. I want to shake these people and tell them, “This doesn’t affect you at all!” But I know that in the end, their main concern is that please, no one should shake their intolerant worldview. That could mean progress and that is frightening when it is most important to you that everything stays as it is. But surprise – nothing stays the same. Quite the opposite. We live in times of upheaval and those who don’t move along, but perhaps even backward, may remain on a very inglorious page in the human history book.
I guess this was today’s rant 🙂
Wow, those are staggering numbers for child marriages. Does anyone even care about their fellow man anymore? Who will protect the children? I saw a post (and I have no idea how accurate it was as it was on Facebook) that said there is a new law in the works to make children face their abusers in court instead of being able to be separated by cameras. I ask again… who will protect the children.
Whoever asks children to face their abuser in court is a heartless, evil monster.
I was appalled to see the marriage age laws in some states
You and me both.
There are so many things wrong with this world that it’s horrifying to think of it, let alone mention it. To tell you the truth, I’m feeling hopeless about the upcoming election. I didn’t watch the debate but I caught the news talking about it and it’s shocking. Men at that age shouldn’t be in politics, they should be at home, waiting for the shoe to drop, at least that’s what I think. It’s sad that old men and women past retirement age are still allowed to hold government position.
I didn’t know about the child marriage, though, when I read it, my jaw dropped. It’s unbelievable how these things still exists in this world.
My jaw dropped as yours. I had no idea this still going on today.
I don’t feel very hopeful about the next election either. I wish for President Biden to resign. It’s time for a young Democrat to mop the floor with Trump. 🙂
We do need an age limit in politics and on the Supreme Court.
I feel there’s been too much drama in politics as of late and feel that these old geezers of politicians should just get a grip or get out.
You are so tuned in, Bridget, and I can’t believe how many people I know who are content to “fiddle while Rome burns.” I find myself in the strangest emotional place. In my recent bereavement and the subsequent heavy toll of emotions I just cannot swim in these political waters like I have always done, but I can’t completely disengage either. I very much like the quote from Denzel Washington, or wherever it originated, and wish the same! I’m sadly not veery hopeful.
“Fiddle while Rome burns,” oh goodness what a phrase and spot on. I think most of us experience this strange emotional place right now. It feel surreal, like something that cannot be happening, but it is. What’s happening here in the US is against all logic, and yet it’s happening.
I am not very hopeful either.
An excellent timely post, but what can we do? That quote is brilliant and says it all. Far Right Conservatism is making a return all over the world and your summation of who benefits from returning rules and laws to the dark ages is spot on. I too watched the debate in horror. Neither of these two men are right for the job. And, don’t get me started on the enablers in the Supreme Court. I think Margaret Atwood may have been closer to our dystopian future than she realized. Civil society starts with respect and right now very few members of “society” respect laws, manners and obligations. A nervous time indeed. Allan
I don’t know what we should do. The world has a migration problem and millions of people will not just go away. The word needs to come together, united, and find a solution. The climate change will take more homes from people, this will not end.
As for the Supreme Court. Goodness, the are political pawns. Puppets on a string. I am not sure if this is fixable.
A wonderful post Bridget. Frightening and unsettling, but that is politics, and the world, today. I still hear people saying they are not going to bother voting because it will make no difference, and I know of several ladies who vote as their husbands tell them. It infuriates me, and also the fact that most are unwilling to even debate the issues. Well, tomorrow is our General Election. We have already voted by post so will be able to sit back and take in events as they happen. No doubt we will have a change of government, but whoever wins has a huge task ahead of them, especially as the majority of the population want improvements all round but do not want to pay for it!
I am glad you liked my post.
I know a couple of elderly women who vote for the same party their husband will vote for, even though this party will cut their gender’s rights. It’s baffling (trying hard to avoid the words dumb or stupid).
I watched the UK election today with great interest.
Nobody wants to pay for anything here either. Tax cuts and more tax cuts, and please, let us deport all the illegals who pay taxes, to make sure that our treasure chest stays empty.
I wish one politician would have the spine to ask for more taxes.
It’s funny that the happiest people live in countries with a high tax rate, but now worries?
Remember manners? The only manners people practice now are “Please”, which is used in the imperative sense to compel action, and “Thank you” which is a way to dismiss a servant. The words have strayed from their heartfelt meaning to a manner of non-communication. Freedom of speech now means freedom FROM considerate behavior, thoughtful conversation, and, strangely enough, from consequences. When you call someone on their rude behavior or speech, you are now accused of virtue signalling.
I would like to bring back Elizabethan language where if you curse, you must use epithets worthy of Shakespeare.
“Thou sodden-witted lord! Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows “
Troilus and Cressida (Act 2, Scene 1)
William Shakespeare
When bringing bad behavior or speech is brought to attention, we’d say, “Mind your tongue!” “Please” should revert to asking politely for a favor and in which the person has a choice to say “Yes”, or “No” and Not an order which should be obeyed. Thank you should also revert to an expression of a civil debt you owe the person.
While your are spot on, I wish you wouldn’t generalize it as you do.
I am an exception from your rule and I know many others.
I say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ perhaps too often, but that’s how we were raised back then. I curse, but I do it Potter-style (M*A*S*H) and use funny descriptions like “horse hockey” or “fudge”.
Also, I excuse myself before I curse. 🙂
I like Shakespeare, but that ship has sailed a long time ago.
I am very aware of the freedom of speech and I am also aware that, in case the election goes wrong, I will have to watch out what I will publish -and/or say in the future.
Simple manners are a form of respect toward the other person, no matter their gender, race, religion or political affiliation.
The only reason I mention the weaponization of “Please” and “Thank you” is because it grates on me. There are so few of us that use those words with the intended meaning now, and obviously, you are one of them.
As to Shakespearean curses, if we had to learn all of those, we might tend to be more judicious in their use. I had to change my circle of influence because where I worked before, every other word was the f-word. I had to take off my work hat before I went into my house so I wouldn’t use that language in front of my kids. It was quite a challenge.
When I was growing up, we had to practice using manners in school. I didn’t mean to generalize the misuse of the words, but saw it so commonly, I thought that the original intent had been lost in some dusty old etiquette books.
I turn shows off when they overuse the “f” word because I can’t stand it either. The less words people use in their everyday language, the worse it gets.