I had a very different post scheduled for today but the events of this week were so extreme that I could not ignore the importance of addressing the dual tragedies of the shooting of Michael Brown and ensuing riots in Ferguson, Missouri and the untimely death of Robin Williams.
I am left asking the following question: what is the value of a life? In a small town, large town, America and beyond?
Young Michael Brown was only 18 years old when he was allegedly shot while unarmed by policeman in his city. At this point it’s hard for me to be surprised by a tragedy like this. It also didn’t surprise me when the people started to riot and express their anger, outrage, and anguish. I’ve visited St. Louis more than once (twice last year) and I was struck as an outsider looking in-how separate everyone was in that lovely, empty city.
We also woke up to the news that Robin Williams committed suicide the same evening that young Michael Brown was shot. Both events broke my heart because both of these men died too soon, too violently, and we are left with questions and not enough answers.
We’re left questioning how we view one another, how we treat each other, and the ways we place value subconsciously on whose life has value.
Don’t we all have value?
Right now we’re having a tough time in the world. There is a lot of anger at one another over slights both real and imagined.
Robin Williams made me laugh my whole life. In Boulder you can check out the Mork and Mindy house. He brought me joy in a world that can be so very hard. Michael Brown was just like every other 18 year old-he was our future.
Until we invest in one another, these tragedies (mass shootings, police shootings, and suicides) will continue. Until we see the value of everyone’s life, we won’t be able to have an equal society.
Try people. It’s so easy to be kind. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Just some food for thought.
Michelle
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I feel like you and I are so alike. I am constantly trying to teach my daughters that there is value in every single person in this world. Judgement is my biggest pet peeve. We aren’t walking in other people’s shoes and we don’t know what they’ve been through. (One of the reasons I get irate when others judge people on welfare.)
I truly try to live my life by being nice to everyone. Not a push over – but treating people with the respect they deserve no matter where they’ve come from.
It’s not a hard rule to follow but can make amazing changes in not only your life but the people you come into contact with. I love this post. Happy to have read it this morning!
Alexa, I just can’t stand it when people are cruel to one another. I also get sick of all of the judgment on how people live their lives. Sometimes our thoughts need to stay inside our heads! Of course I am judgmental, but, there is no point in tearing other people down. I just try to treat each person with dignity and respect regardless of where they come from or what circumstance they are currently in. I’ve had a lot of hard times and it was those moments when people treated me with compassion and kindness that reinforced my belief that the world is a wonderful and amazing place. I think people have to remember their role in creating that type of world.
I too feel sad about the events of this week, and pretty much every week. With all that goes on it seems difficult to find the moments of joy. But there are so many to be had, if we didn’t spend so much time being angry, frustrated and harsh. It doesn’t hurt us to show kindness towards others, even if it isn’t reciprocated.
I think that there are a lot of amazing, wondrous moments taking place everyday but anger sells. I am no longer willing to consume that kind of energy and I refuse to buy into the idea that everything is awful. Every decade has had: war, famine, violence. And every decade has had people like: Malala, Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is a balance. I am trying to tilt things towards the happier side with one connection at a time.
I’m also struggling with these events. It just seems so senseless and crazy. I feel a loss of control and an immense sadness. There is so much joy in the world, but so many people are suffering. Kindness really does go a long way, even for a moment.
This week just took my breath away, but I think that we have to continue to believe in the kindness of others. When we stop doing that, then all is lost.
I love this, Michelle! And I couldn’t agree more. This week has just been hard and we are all out of sorts. And we need to come together and work together. Being kind is so easy to do and takes little effort, but so few us do it. I am definitely making a more conscious effort to be kind and compassionate because we don’t know what other people are going through.
Thanks Shannon 🙂 I just am sick of people being mean-just because they don’t want to put the effort into being nice. It’s so easy to be nice to people. I’m not saying walk through life like Pollyanna, I’m just saying that why would we want to be mean to people instead of being nice?
Thank you for this post, Michelle – I agree some kindness goes a long way, and have been so disheartened with this week’s tragedies and all the turmoil globally. Even today I read about a guy who punched a pregnant lady trying to “play the knockout game” – thankfully the woman and child is okay and the man was caught, but it makes me wonder what’s going on with our society.
If I had been around that guy I would have kicked his a@@. Karma is a b$tch. I truly believe that crap has always happened in the world, but the major difference is having constant access to media reports 24-7 on all the awful things that seem to be happening. I am reducing my diet of: violence in the media, angry talk show people (Dave Ramsey), too much shouting, and people who blame everyone else about their lives. I refuse to participate in this behavior. It’s a choice.
It’s hard because sometimes I completely want to shut off the news and live in bliss, but I also can’t bury my head in the sand about what is going on in our world. I’m very happy to see the turn of events in St. Louis over the last day or two though. It seems that people are finally coming together in peaceful protest, instead of a violent reaction. And that’s the thing..taking positive action when we hear about these types of events, not get angrier with one another that cause us to be MORE separate and segregated!
I love the idea of living in bliss! I actually know people (specifically in Boulder LOL) who don’t have t.v.s and only get their news from NPR. They also limit negative browsing on the net. So their still informed (slanted) but it comes in a format that’s digestible and not overwhelming. I mean come on-everyone on NPR talks in soothing tones. My Boulder peeps are pretty relaxed. I, too, am happy to see the change in St. Louis but quite frankly as long as huge populations of people are unable to tap into the possibility to prosper this will keep happening. It’s a no-brainer and I continue to be surprised when people are surprised by these types of events. After going to 40 states in my lifetime, it’s always super obvious to me when I step my foot off my plane and walk into the airport.
Thanks for this. Kindness isn’t my strong suit, but after the tragedy of this week, I’m trying my best to be kind to everyone. You simply don’t know what’s behind closed doors or strong personalities. It never hurts to be too kind.
I am in general pretty nice to people. I have my moments when I’m a b$tch-who doesn’t? Lisa, I’m sure you’re very kind! I bet you just have high expectations of people-and that’s a good thing.