Signs of the Times: Two

The Times We Are Leaving

The rioting of Penn State fans over the firing of coach Paterno is bone chilling.  To these people, “my tribe winning” is more important than young boys being raped.  Repeatedly.  By a so-called sports figure looked up to as a hero and an example for  young people.  Then the rapes are covered up by the aggressor’s superiors, including but not limited to Paterno.  The cover up went even higher.

This sort of madness is historic, tracing back through all of recorded history.  Rape and torture of the conquered was encouraged because it broke their spirits and discouraged further fighting.  We Americans like to think we are evolved enough that we don’t do those things any more, but the torture of prisoners in Iraq by American military, including electric shock and waterboarding among other things, proves otherwise.  Yes, the actions were performed by low ranking young people, but they were encouraged by their superiors all the way up to George Bush and Dick Cheyney who still claim it was the right thing to do.

If you are thinking that rioting football fans being compared to military atrocities is a bit of a stretch, think again.  Anyone who still believes they belong to a tribe that must win in order to feel good, even to the point of ignoring the rape of children, has the personal capacity to engage in similar acts and find a way to feel justified doing so.  This mentality is the root and seed of warfare, cruelty and ‘collateral damage’ being acceptable, and we must find a way to heal the psychosis of hate if we are to step into a future world that works for all.

Each of us has one simple thing to do in order to support the shift to a better future. Just speak up, with those you know.  We don’t have to march or do anything extreme.  Find a way to talk about the need to see things differently and do things differently with your circle of friends and family.  You can also post your ideas on this blog, then invite friends and family.