Generation Magazine

By Abraham C.L. Munson-Ellis

 Today, and on many, many more days, we should ponder the end of all that is known at our level of existence and the sum of all of our experiences.

 As distant descendents from the land of civilization’s birth, we have firsthand knowledge of the progress and challenges of humankind. We have witnessed the birth of children, the cloning of Dolly the sheep and the surgical altering of our bodies to meet current aesthetic trends. We have changed the shape and power of Mother Earth’s land, lakes and rivers for profitable purposes. We’ve shortened her patience; her children—Hurricane Katrina, the Indian tsunami and the Haitian earthquake—pose to regain control of the planet by shaking loose mankind’s hold.

 We love STUFF. We have created greater need for unnecessary products—merchandise and materials that have become dangerous, burdensome and laborious instead of being truly supportive to culture’s needs and demands. There are weapons that can dissolve a human body and leave the infrastructure of a building intact, yet we can’t solve the mysteries of cancer, blindness or baldness.

 Our love for money has left the economies of the planet in shambles. Corporations, politics, media barons, and military opportunists battle for control of dwindling resources and dominate the economics of the planet. Corruption has the immediate attention of regular citizens during election cycles and periods of high unemployment. We’ve witnessed a global financial meltdown and the TARP bailout funding to U.S. companies with astronomical CEO salaries and bonuses, while record numbers of Americans are out of work and without the security of a home and the benefits of employment.

 Bloggers, pundits and extremists have polarized opinions, beliefs and values, and media corporations’ persuasions stifle citizens (the underdog), and showcase the odds of corporate favor.

 We love distractions, and depend on MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and FOX’s “American Idol” to keep us distracted as entertainers and candidates for re-election hire public relation firms as spin doctors to dismiss bad publicity, rumors and their proximity to embattled organizations.

 News of social unrest due to extramarital activities has stolen the stage, bringing Tiger Woods’ other sport in the spotlight, and ushering in a patterned cycle of high profile celebrity stories (Brad leaving Jennifer), public official misgivings (Client 9, Frances Quinn Hunter’s father, Zippergate), and Letterman’s revelations of relations. Sportscasters have not been immune, like CBS’s Jim Nantz and NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, who have had their private relationships revealed to the public. Not-so-popular figures bombard us with their sex tapes, most likely to raise their levels of reference to peak our curiosity or add to their legacy.

 We love the Internet, but we’re caught up on pornography, eBay, shopping and Craigslist. Does the Internet offer true connections as eHarmony or Match.com suggest? Can we really hook up with someone in a meaningful way at AOL or Yahoo! Personals?

 Are we listening to one another? We all might to be too busy messaging, iPod-ing, iPad-ing, texting, tweeting, or Wii-ing, and person-to-person conversation and contact may become extinct. Baptism, athletes, court officers, pets, the police, and most aggressors have more physical connections with people than the rest of the population, yet we have next-door neighbors who we haven’t spoken to in 40 years because of some unmentioned issue.

 All love is serious. It is time for a change. It is time for a connection revolution. Instead of following or fearing due to stereotyping, ignorance, stupidity, family upbringing, myths, curses, or blindness of alien persuasion, look into the mirror daily, tell yourself that you love everyone, that you love yourself, and that you will be a better person as you eliminate the ills of misunderstanding and give more patience to what may be unclear.

 We have to regain our sense of community, neighborhood and family to strengthen our reserve—so we can produce resolutions and connections, not additional questions or conflicts, so Feb. 14 can be a day when true love unites us all as we save our humanity and Mother Earth, our foundation.

 Compassion, assistance, love, and caring on Valentine’s Day, and beyond, can be the catalyst for a better us. Hugs and kisses are accepted—not to dismiss time, money, and support—for those you care for and those you want to know better on this Feb. 14.

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