When I was growing up I was taught that throwing fits was going to get you nowhere. In fact, if my brother or I continued to throw a tantrum we were quickly brought back to reality with a swift smack to the rear. (In fairness we had been warned numerous times to stop)
I have tried to teach my daughter this same truth. That there are times to be upset, but throwing a fit is NEVER the answer. There are better ways to handle loss and frustration.
So when I turn on the T.V. and see grown adults acting like children I am given a real life example of WHY it so important to understand how to process disappointment and pain. Grown adults should not be acting in this way.
Let me be clear. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t protest. We live in a free country that allows us the ability to protest when we believe injustice has occurred. However, I believe what started out as a protest has devolved into a riot. People are destroying property, burning trees/cars/etc and physically assaulting others that disagree with them.
This has become nothing more than a full on fit from grown adults that should know better. Yes they have the right to free speech and free assembly. They do not, however, have the right to destroy property and cause physical harm to others.
On the other side of the situations we have reports of elementary and high school students chanting “build a wall” and handing out hand written deportation letters to other students. Where are the parents? This type of talk doesn’t just come out of nowhere.
Similarity there are reports of other grown adults spray painting racist/homophobic terms on people’s cars and on the side of buildings. Where did this “better than you” attitude come from?
I don’t claim to have any of the answers, but I do have a good idea of what won’t work.
Destroying property during a protest and spraying derogatory terms on a building are opposite sides of the same coin. Each is becoming the very evil that they claim to be against.
What needs to occur is a humbling of self. Each of us needs to understand that we are adults and need to act as such. This means that the name calling must stop. The generalizations of Republicans/Democrats/Blacks/Whites/Atheist/Christian/Muslim/etc have to stop. The idea that one leader, whether it be the president or any other, will solve all our problems has to stop. Each individual is responsible for their own actions.
If we are truly going to be united as a nation we need to cut through the childish attitudes and begin to work together as adults. Yeah it’s hard to lay down your pride and work with others that believe and think differently than you. It takes a lot of time to work through issues like race, religion and politics but in the end it’s worth it.
If you are frustrated about a person, policy or issue that’s good! That means you’re passionate about it. Use that passion for long term change through policy and law. Don’t be so short sided and hateful to think that spray paint and rioting are going to bring forth anything other than destruction.
If you want change, be that change.
Pastor Mike Moore 