It has been incredible difficult for me to write as of late. I read through countless news stories which have blended together in a devilish mix of gun control, fiscal cliff and overall gridlock of common sense. Writer’s block won’t even describe it. I see and hear it everywhere I go. Not to be cliché, but I keep hearing this song “Some Nights” on the radio and it makes me wonder. For those of you whose iPod hookup has not broken, you’re aware that the song lyrics say “What do I stand for? What do I stand for? Most night, I don’t know anymore…”
There should be a limit to how many existential crisis you’re allowed a day. This song… it seeped into my unconscious and made me face the fact that I rarely know the things I stand for anymore. Social justice, or any justice is not something I take lightly, and it is easy when reading and writing to determine the things I agree with and what I stand against. But I find it much easier to list that which I have lost the fight for these past few years than be able to list what I still stand for now.
‘We must accept the responsibility of change’ is a belief that I hold very dear, and it may very well be why the past few weeks have been so disheartening for me. I see a nation filled with good people; people who see freedom, justice and even kindness as a staple of their very existence. But they are the quiet ones. Those you hear are the ones shouting hate, ignorance and fear. Those decent people are overshadowed, drowned out by the ever darkening skies and I am tired, so very tired of not seeing the sun.
Last weekend I talked over some of my frustrations with a good friend of mine. I sat complaining about an argument involving slavery, and that a comment was made that determining that slavery is wrong is imposing our ideals onto another culture just as much as we believe imposing slavery on others is wrong. It is the imperialism of morality if you wish. Ever the devil’s advocate, not to mention infuriatingly logical, my friend replied “well it is a valid argument.” Of course it was, validity implies a well-rounded, justifiable and logically sound argument. Denouncing slavery as wrong is, of course a personal view, as I’m sure we can find someone who believes that it isn’t. Therefore, it is, a valid argument. Validity is not the whole story though and as much as I respect and admire my friend, it is one of the few ways in which we never agree. Morality is subjective. Yes. Fairness, however, should not be. It is giving each person, regardless of any circumstance, fair treatment, a fair shot.
I’d like to think that regardless of mood and overwhelming odds against me that it can be said that I stand for fairness. No matter how tired I am, how disgusted with what is around me it is my hope that I can still maintain a sliver of who I think I am. Can any of us truly answer when we ask ourselves, “Who am I?”
Courtney Kidd, LMSW
SJS Staff Writer
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That’s pretty much the hearty of the matter Court. you put it beautifully.
Good article, but I see the opposite Courtney. I am inspired daily to write because there is so much out there to write on/about!
Writer’s block to me, is just another way to say: take a break, recharge, rest, reframe focus, reflect on what matters most. All issues cannot. Find the few that do and focus on those. It is not possible to focus on everything-it is not authentic.
‘We must accept the responsibility of change’ I agree with this, but who says the change has to be huge? Any change in a positive direction is good, no matter how small.
“What do I stand for…….”
That is something that all of us need to ask ourselves and be truly honest with ourselves to get the answer…..a lifelong process……
Too many people get caught up in materialism, outdoing others and forget the importance of family, friends, liking your job, making a difference no matter how small it is, in the world.
I like the expression ‘Tikkun Olam’-repair the world (one person or one small step at a time).
Some moral values are simply better than others. No way around it. As social workers we are taught to be non-judgmental and accepting of all. Unfortunately, that is often total cr@p. Accept slavery? Child rape? Infanticide for parental convenience? Denial of Constitutional rights? I refuse. And that does make me judgmental, and not the least bit ashamed of it. Anyone that stands for anything must be willing to fight, and be willing to cross swords with those we have identified as being in the wrong, To form judgements and assessments is human nature- what matters most is the criteria to we use to form such judgements, and how aware we are of our personal criteria. Is our criteria out of selfish need? prejudicial views towards a particular ethnic group or religion? Those types of criteria are what we need to change and fight against as social workers. To evaluate based on fairness to others, protection of others from undue harm- these are the types of criteria we need to embrace. Avoidance of judgement renders anyone impotent- advocating for sound, moral judgements is what makes the world a better place.
I stand for Fight For 15 http://www.petermye.rs/fight-for-15
I stand for Fight For 15 http://www.petermye.rs/fight-for-15
Peter, If you want to submit an aritcle about fight 15, we will be happy to pos it. use the submit button on the top nav bar.
just submitted thank you the title is Fight for 15
The overwhelming realities of the society in which we reside lead me to question daily what WE as a civilization “stand for”. We accept below satisfactory care for our elders, ill and cognitively disabled. In the name of “personal choice” we allow our mentally ill to grow increasingly ill, reside in alleys and under bridges. When in actuality it is about the money necessary to care for them. After all it’s easier to ignore them when they become invisible. Through ill managed and extremely political organizations we allow, “policy” to come before the lives of children and what is best for them. We place children in Foster Homes, not where they are wanted but where the extra dollars they bring are wanted.
Yes, not all people fit into the above pictures. My friends say it is bothering me more because society is outgrowing me. As I enter my fifties I do agree that there is a slight amount of truth in that statement. For whatever reason the world does revolve differently now.
Accept the responsibility of change? No, we need to Embrace Change, Even Force Change. It is the right thing to do. D
I don’t buy that society is outgrowing me stuff, there can and should be room for both. It’s no that society is outgrowing anything, but that it has become short sighted and shallow:(