May 2016 – intramuralist ™

05/31/2016

who do we blame?

When bad things happen, it often seems our instant reaction is to blame… Who’s at fault?! … Someone must pay for this!… Someone is in the wrong!

We then spend significant energy and time targeting the person(s) we have so omnisciently, judiciously determined to be responsible for what happened. We assign blame.

We seem unwilling to acknowledge the prudence of recognizing our perspective may be limited. We ignore that perhaps time will tell more of the story; maybe it won’t. But we are somehow lured into thinking we are experts at things we are not — and that takes the place of extending most mercy and grace. We feel emboldened in assigning blame.

On Saturday, a four year old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. One 17 year old gorilla — named “Harambe” — was then shot and killed, after rapidly dragging the boy through the waters edging the habitat. Zoo officials called it “a life-threatening situation” for the boy. Note, also, the decision was made to shoot and kill the animal, as opposed to tranquilizing him, because the boy was in danger and the tranquilizer would not have taken effect immediately. Also, the tranquilizer could have potentially, further agitated the gorilla.

What has actually taken effect immediately, however, is the assigning of blame. It has been fast and furious…

The parents are negligent…
You need to keep an eye on your kids…
They shouldn’t have killed the gorilla…
Justice for Harambe…
Protest! Protest!…
People do not come above animals…
Parents need to do their job…
That dumb bi*** should have kept her kid closer…

Ugh. There’s a proverbial pit in my stomach. I feel bad. I feel bad for the gorilla; it’s awful his life was lost. I feel bad for the parents; the shock of seeing their kid in danger and wondering if they could have prevented it. I feel bad for the zoo officials; I’m not sure I could have pulled that trigger. But is feeling bad for all of them not possible? Can we only empathize with one? Can we not have empathy or compassion for more than a single side?

And by feeling bad for only one, is that what allows us to assign blame to another?

I’m beginning to ponder if the assignment of blame equates to an absence of empathy. I will have to think on that more…

In the meantime, I wonder if one of the justifications for our blame assignment is that we too often convince ourselves that “we would never do that” or “we are incapable.” I get that; we all do it. But I’m not sure it’s accurate. I’ve made some mistakes in this life that I never imagined. I’ve seen dear friends make other poor decisions. And but by the grace of God, I think I’m unfortunately capable of too much more; hence, thank God for that grace! I’m thus uncomfortable that our belief of being incapable of similar screw ups provides justification for the lack of empathy and the assignment of blame.

As a semi-humble current events observer, let me also add that here exists an avenue in which I perceive social media having evolved into an illegitimate license to spew — to spew an opinion when perhaps patience, silence, and compassion would be more sensible. Social media is not a conversation; a tweet or snap or status update does not qualify as dialogue. And so we are lured into spewing opinion, forgetting our limited perspective, our lack of expertise, and that time and increased investigation may be prudent to the truth. Instead of actually taking that time, instead of waiting and saying prayers for the persons most affected by the situation, we instead assign blame.

I am saddened that the animal was killed. But I am more saddened by our lack of generous grace.

Bad things happen to good people. I’m not sure we’re ever going to be ok with that. I’m not sure assigning blame helps either.

Respectfully…
AR

05/29/201605/29/2016

note to the graduate ’16

[I wrote this a year ago, when my oldest was graduating from high school. I felt it was worthy of revisiting now…]

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

As we pen a final post to those now formally entering adulthood, allow us to address a few more brief truths as you take these next few, albeit humongous steps…

First, there is a time for everything — every activity under heaven, every season under the sun. Hear me now: you will not enjoy nor desire each of these times. Every activity will not be wonderful nor every season incredibly joyous and fun. Don’t let me discourage you; that’s not my intent. My intent is to wrestle with reality.

Remember that enjoying and embracing are not the same thing. As you face life’s next chapters, the truth is that there will be seasons and chapters that stretch you beyond your wildest imagination — beyond where you ever thought you’d go or perhaps ever wanted. You have a choice in how to react. When the time comes to tear down or turn away, embrace the time; when the time comes to speak, speak — or be quiet, be quiet. Enjoying the season is less important than learning from the experience. The wise man learns and grows from the seasons that are hard.

Second — and don’t let me shock you — but contrary to perhaps your long-held belief (or some printed fictional, parenting mantra) — you cannot be whatever you want to be. I’m sorry; remember… we are wrestling with reality. Similar to the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and that jolly old St. Nicholas, there are a few things we’ve told you that aren’t actually true.

It is true that you cannot be whatever or whoever you want to be (… just ask all those who are running for President). You can, however, be all that God created you to be. Embrace your gifts. Utilize the unique wiring within you — the wiring that makes you distinctly and beautifully, uniquely you! Don’t compare yourself to another, falling prey to society’s hollow teaching that another person’s wiring or set up is somehow better or worse than yours. Simply embrace your own strengths and grow from your own weaknesses. Seek God first; seek his intention for your life. Then be who he created you to be, and do what he created you to do. Don’t compare your calling to any other.

And third (because this proud, reflective parent still has seemingly much to say), let me offer a brief rapid fire of final encouragement…

Love deeply. Offer grace generously. Never view grace and truth as opposites, as each can be applied in full measure. Wash your sheets. Don’t be selfish. Resist being quick to anger. Be fast to forgive. Be humble. Forgive again. And again. Pursue wisdom. Consider coffee. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Separate the reds from the whites. Be charitable. Save some; spend some; and give some away. Don’t be afraid of sorrow. Turn off the XBOX. Chew with your mouth closed. Don’t think of equality with God as something to be grasped. Listen to the elderly; invest in the young. Bow and curtsy when appropriate. Show respect — in what you say and how you think. Remember that respect does not mean accepting as equally good and true. Remember that all things are not equally good and true. Know when to say that; know when to not. Open doors for other people. Look another in the eye. Use your napkin. Be discerning. Be aware that just because something feels good, it might not be wise. Be prayerful. Figure the faith thing out. And embrace each and every season shared above… embracing the time to laugh… the time to cry… the time to grieve… and yes, the time to dance.

There is a time for everything. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. Graduates, without a doubt, now is your time to dance. Enjoy… how beautiful…

With a special salute to those grads…
AR

05/26/201605/26/2016

pickles & redskins & a little bit more

Not too long ago, an un-intending server failed to omit the pickles on my sandwich. As my deep loathing of the brine-infused condiment has long been known to Intramuralist readers, one can imagine my reaction. Better yet, picture taking that first bite. Yes, it is true. I hate pickles. While one of my desires is to only hate what God hates, I must admit, I still hate pickles. And to actually leave them on my sandwich? Oh, no… there are few words. To say I was offended is satirically close to true.

I’m wondering this day on a bit of a broader scale; what do we do when we’re offended? Is my offense enough? I mean… is it enough that the offense is mine? … or does it need to be shared? I can’t stand those slimy green things, but in all honesty, that’s between me and my pickle. Is it important to ensure a majority of others agree with me? — that they should be offended, too?

Last weekend The Washington Post released some polling data that seemed to fly semi-below the radar (… perhaps because the polls seem sadly inundated with everything Clinton and Trump). A brief, edited summary is as follows:

“Nine in 10 Native Americans say they are not offended by the Washington Redskins name, according to a new Washington Post poll that shows how few ordinary Indians have been persuaded by a national movement to change the football team’s moniker.

… Responses to The Post’s questions about the issue were broadly consistent regardless of age, income, education, political party or proximity to reservations.

Among the Native Americans reached over a five-month period ending in April, more than 7 in 10 said they did not feel the word ‘Redskin’ was disrespectful to Indians. An even higher number — 8 in 10 — said they would not be offended if a non-native called them that name.”

In other words, a majority of the persons most affected by the use of the word “Redskin” are not offended by the reference.

Yet three years ago, we witnessed a rather significant, stentorian bandwagon — the “national movement” as identified by The Post. There began a barrage of pointed, public criticism…

50 U.S. senators signed a letter asking the NFL team to change their name.
The New York Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle, Slate, and Post editorial board among with multiple other news outlets, each discontinued using the nickname. So did several prominent broadcasters, including Bob Costas and Phil Simms.
A board within the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office ruled that the use of “Redskins” violated federal trademark law.
The U.S. Justice Dept. intervened to defend the Patent & Trademark Office.
A smaller group of senators then introduced legislation aimed at revoking the NFL’s tax-exempt status — that was, if the league failed to force the Washington owner to stop using the term “Redskins.”

Friends, this is a healthy debate and one that should be had. Is the use of the word “Redskins” a derogatory term? To some people, it definitely is. To others — and potentially to a majority of those who most identify with the term — at least according to The Washington Post — it is not. So how do we honor all people? And how do we refrain from projecting our offense onto another?

Almost as if on some sort of expected cue, no less, in this increasingly contentious society we seem to live in, several immediately, emphatically rejected the results of The Post’s poll. Some simply declared the results to be untrue.

I get it. It’s tough. And when we’re offended, it’s hard to comprehend how others are not.

I just wish we were better about not projecting our offense upon a majority of others.

(Otherwise — with a little bit of tongue in my cheek — a lot more people need to start hating pickles.)

Respectfully…
AR

05/24/201605/24/2016

where’s the line?

Lately I’ve been hearing much about the need to rally around one another — to come together as one, “because we’re all __________.”

It’s the call to unify.

Such seems more pronounced and proclaimed as the presidential primaries come to a close — and each party is attempting to get “their people” to rally behind a candidate that is far less popular nationally than the party would obviously prefer. That’s an observation — not a criticism. Each of the three remaining, mainstream presidential candidates has serious, perceived flaws; this will be a “slam dunk” election for no one… hence, the call to unify.

That call, no less, got me thinking…

We are to rally around one another… to come together… to let our voices be heard as one. Why? Because we are all “__________.”

But what goes in the blank?

Seriously.

What goes in the blank?

Who are the so-called “their people”?

Is it us? Is it not? Do we know when it actually is us?

It seems to me that individuals subjectively draw a dividing line…

They suggest we need to come together… because we’re all Republicans… we need to come together because we’re all Democrats… we need to come together because we’re all black… white… gay… straight… yada, yada, yada…

Please don’t perceive my “yada’s” or “yada’s” as any intended form of disrespect; they are not. My point is simply that people draw the dividing line — the proverbial boundary which supposedly establishes unity — in different places. I have challenges with that.

I mean, I have friends who are Republicans and friends who are Democrats. I have friends who are black and friends who are white. I have friends who are gay and friends who are straight. And I have friends who fit into none of the above and friends who are yada, yada, yada. Am I not to be included in their circle? Is the circle around them — separating them from the rest of us — impenetrable?

Friends, I think some people are selling us short. These so-called rallies to come together are not unifying; rather, they seem more a desire to isolate and ensure no one thinks any differently.

Why aren’t we drawing the line more broadly? Why aren’t we encouraged to more generously and extensively fill in the blank?

What about…

Because we’re all Ohioans… Iowans… or Floridians…

Because we’re all Americans.

Or what about… because we’re all people who live on the same planet.

Better still…

Because each of us was created by something bigger than self… by the great big God of the universe… divinely and magnificently made.

Can we draw the line around that?

Respectfully…
AR

05/22/201605/22/2016

working out the right way

“Vengeance is mine.” It has been written.

The question is the meaning of “mine.” (Note: pronouns indeed make a difference.)

Let’s be honest; we aren’t all that good at allowing vengeance or revenge or any sense of justice be in the hands of someone else; we aren’t all that good at allowing at-first-unfair circumstances to simply play themselves out. My sense is such stems from three reasons. One, that means we would have to be patient, waiting for another judicial order to act on a timetable which they deem appropriate; two, justice in unfair circumstances may be perceived to never come; and three, different people have different perceptions of what justice actually looks like. What’s just to one may not be just to another. The specifics of appropriate restitution look different to different people.

And so, we are tempted to take justice into our own hands.

It’s the motive behind multiple movements. You know the ones… the “I’m-mad-as-hell-and-not-going-to-take-it-any-more” ones… the ones that cheer when perceived opposition finally gets their due… the ones that declare any other outcome as bad, wrong, foolish, evil, you-name-it.

“Well, it’s about time,” we like to say… “It’s about time this all worked out in the right way.”

Yes, it’s true; we aren’t very good at allowing justice to be any other than “mine.” (Pronouns make a difference.)

A little over a year ago, my second son, who had become a legal, teenage driver, welcomed a summer day long anticipated. You see, at his high school there are a limited number of student parking spots. In fact, there are not enough spots for all who desire to drive (as opposed to a respected upperclassman being spotted on the dreaded school bus… egad…).

The existing process, therefore, in regard to parking pass distribution, is that on a designated morning, the week prior to the onset of the new year, student classes individually line up with their $100 checks in order to participate in a random drawing. Be sure to take note of the word “random.” When the morning drawing commences, each class member blindly draws their specified spot from a so-called hat.

My eager teen, finally a junior, had long desired this day. “Finally,” he must have thought. And so on said morning, he was in line two hours earlier than the start time… all for a random drawing.

Much to his glee, JT was one of the first students in line. He paid his $100. Then he drew.

JT drew the second farthest away spot in the entire parking lot. Only one car would park farther away for the rest of the year.

When JT arrived back home that morning, I could tell it was one of those teenage issues that we wouldn’t be immediately discussing. He was mad — livid, arguably. Here was this day he had longed for, planned, arrived at early, and his efforts were not rewarded in any way, shape or form… how unfair!

That’s it. When a circumstance is perceived to be unfair, we lose all patience. I remember many days this past year (especially those rainy, cold ones) when JT could be heard grumbling about that stupid, unfair spot.

It’s a year later, though, and now JT is set to be a senior. This year’s graduating class has left the building, and all fun, memory-making festivities are in full swing. Last weekend, in fact, was the junior/senior prom.

Funny thing happened there, by the way… Amid all the joy and fancy dresses and dances, there are also all sorts of prizes and creative give-aways. Young JT won one thing…

A free parking pass for his senior year. “Pick Your Spot,” read the certificate.

One year later, it is his.

Respectfully…
AR

05/19/2016

celebrating greatness

It’s true; when I love a good book, I love that good book; and I tend to read or reference it repeatedly. It’s why you may ever so often hear me mention “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” the Bible, “Sneetches,” or “When Character Was King.”

One book that has been clearly instrumental in my thinking is “Raising Kids for True Greatness” by Dr. Tim Kimmel. It’s about redefining what success looks like… for our kids… for us. When first read as a far more inexperienced parent (even though I daily find myself having so much more to learn!), I found Kimmel’s truths to be eye-opening…

… What are we raising our kids for? … to be rich? … wealthy? … marry well or get the best job? … how about getting the most “re-tweets” or “likes” in social media?

All are understandable ambitions, but let me be honest; I want something more for my kids. I want them to be great.

Not just successful, but great.

What we witnessed in Mother Teresa was greatness — same as in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Anne Frank, and Billy Graham. It’s what stood out about teacher-turned-astronaut Christa McAuliffe and cancer-stricken, college basketball player Lauren Hill. It’s not about being famous; it’s about maximizing our gifts and utilizing our God-given potential with whom and how we spend our lives. That, my friends, is far more than success; that is greatness.

One of the concepts, no less, that stands out in how we instill in our kids the idea of pursuing actual greatness is how we view opportunity. Do I look at opportunity as finite and limited? … and there are only so many job opportunities and so many roster spots and so many scholarships available? And that means that if your kid wins any of the above, I can’t be genuinely happy for you. Why? Because there’s now one less for me.

Or… do I look at opportunity as divinely provided and thus infinite or limitless? In other words, each of us is wired completely differently. None of us have identical DNA. We have different gifts.

Think I’m wrong?

Spend an afternoon with my youngest son, Josh, a thriving teen born with Down syndrome. Josh scores a little lower than most on those old IQ tests. But test his emotional intelligence. You will quickly see that while I like to believe I’m a fairly empathetic individual, Josh’s empathy for the well-being of other people far surpasses mine. That’s not a criticism or any selling of self short; that’s an acknowledgement of the nothing less than unique, amazing, divine gifting of my youngest son.

The reason I raise this issue this day, is because all around us, there seems a flurry of activity. It’s the month of May! That means graduations, proms, and parties… sectionals, playoffs, and district finals… scholarships, awards, and all sorts of public acknowledgements surround us. There are a plethora of — shall we say — selfie kind of moments.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could each celebrate them all? The ones we’re involved in and the ones we’re not?

… as opposed to… sitting back, allowing any ounce of comparison to permeate our thinking, comparing one kid’s plight to another… as opposed to ever thinking, “That’s one less opportunity for me or my kid.”

The beauty in the recognition that opportunity is infinite is that it frees us up to genuinely celebrate and support one another. Perhaps my kid didn’t win that scholarship, but that means there’s a better fit for him elsewhere — a fit more in line with his unique, amazing gifting. My desire is to never look at the accomplishment of another and think of myself at the same time.

Ok, off ’til the weekend, friends. First, though, I plan on hanging out on social media for a bit. Some awesome kids are experiencing all sorts of monumental moments; they have multiple individual honors coming their way. I’m so excited for them.

Can’t wait to celebrate… each and every one.

Respectfully…
AR

05/17/201605/17/2016

the precious peace of marcus lattimore

Every now and then I come across a story that speaks loudly to me. Here’s one today from ESPN… about one man who used to be a star, but now has something better…

“Hours before he’s set to walk across the stage for a college degree he was never sure he’d get, Marcus Lattimore sits in his living room, watching a post-NFL draft show.

As highlights of former Ohio State standout running back Ezekiel Elliott appear, Lattimore isn’t sold. He likes Elliott’s power and play away from the ball, but his overall speed needs work, Lattimore says, and he doesn’t see him as ‘the complete back’ yet.

‘Not like Fournette,’ Lattimore says, speaking of LSU junior star Leonard Fournette, who will no doubt be a Heisman favorite again in 2016.

Lattimore should know. Just five years ago, he was Fournette, a record-setting freshman of the year tailback and Heisman contender for the Gamecocks with a bright NFL future ahead of him. Then came a torn left ACL as a sophomore and a catastrophic right knee injury as a junior — dislocated kneecap, torn ligaments, nerve damage — that effectively ended his career. He’s arguably the most talented player of his generation never to play a down in the NFL.

‘I think there’s always those players that get put in a category like Cam Newton or Deshaun Watson who dominate the game,’ Alabama coach Nick Saban said. ‘Marcus Lattimore was one of those guys in that category.’

And yet he now looks upon those injuries as a blessing.

‘Life is a little bit more enjoyable now because of what I’ve been through,’ Lattimore said. ‘… I wouldn’t change a thing that happened — put those knee injuries back in my life. I’m such a better person, overall. I’m wiser and I’m grateful for every single day that I get out of bed and I can walk, and I can run if I want to. The little things, they matter a little bit more than they did in the past.’

… As he says that, his right hand drifts toward his right knee, rubbing over a long, vertical front scar and then a horizontal one on the outside… these are permanent reminders of what Lattimore used to be and what he has become…

Through all that darkness, Lattimore found light in his reinvention. His decision to give up football allowed him to start his foundation and run football camps, while affording him time to speak to those in need. It also allowed him to go back to school — something he doesn’t think would have happened if he had made it in the NFL — to earn the degree he promised his mom he’d get.

‘I’m thankful for those knee injuries,’ he said. ‘They really saved me and now I feel like I can do anything. Every time I go speak, every time I’m able to stand in front of a crowd, I heal personally.’

…The Marcus Lattimore Foundation, started in August 2013 with $15,000 of Lattimore’s money from his NFL signing bonus, was created with the goal of helping high school athletes who might have trouble paying for treatment and rehabilitation for major injuries. It also provides college and life preparation.

Lattimore and various speakers meet with high school students to discuss topics such as NCAA rules, preparation for the ACT and SAT, how to work with school guidance counselors, how to conduct job interviews, résumé building and the importance of credit, debt and loans.

‘It’s fun being able to go to a city and see your work and feel the pride in what you do,’ he said. ‘I can tell you I’ve never had that feeling on the football field.’ “

Marcus Lattimore went from projected stardom to personal solace and strength through a series of unexpected and undesired circumstances. According to the more detailed, worth-the-read account on ESPN, Lattimore “went from bemoaning his injuries to thanking God for them.” He sees life differently now. He has something better; he has peace.

When we begin to thank God for what we have, as opposed to what we don’t — when we count our blessings regardless of what they are — when we quit all the comparison — when we recognize the beauty in the little things — we find peace.

Great story, ESPN. And Marcus Lattimore, well done.

Respectfully…
AR

05/15/201605/15/2016

cheers, cries & precedents

On Friday Pres. Obama sent a letter to all public schools across the country telling them to let transgender students use both the bathrooms and locker rooms of their individually preferred gender identity. The decree is not legally binding; however, if schools do not comply, they were told they risk the cutting off of “Federal funds” and additional lawsuits.

Let me first offer emotion #1… sigh. (… breathe in… breathe out… another pause, please…) This is another tough issue, friends.

I hear those who now cheer… the previously silent, transgender student, for example, who has long, sadly, faced ridicule and shame.
I hear those who now cry… the previously silent, teen survivor of sexual abuse, for example, who has long, sadly, faced fear of the opposite sex.

I hear the others — on so many sides — the many, justifiable concerns. And I hear the lack of empathy from again, far too many. Yes, it seems, we continue to politicize issues; we continue to see only very limited perspectives. We tend to hear only one side well. We tend to hear only the cheers — or only the cries. Or… we tend to boldly proclaim why either the cheers or cries are for some reason irrelevant.

I wish there was a way to honor all people well. I wish we didn’t have to keep pitting people against one another.

As far as bathrooms/locker rooms are concerned, my first response after this arose in the North Carolina state legislature, was similar to the federal courts wrestling with the inflation levels of NFL footballs… Why are they spending so much time on this?… Is someone attempting to push an agenda?

My second response was a little more cavalier — motivated, no doubt, by the desire to stop all the bickering and social media rants (… FYI — which could easily serve as fodder for a new book entitled “How to Lose Friends and Influence People”). I thought, no less: couldn’t we just establish three kinds of public restrooms? (1) “Men’s,” (2) “Women’s”; and (3) “I Don’t Care.”

But alas, that, too, is not enough. Too many remain dissatisfied until they get what they want — even if it gives no thought to those who either cheer or cry. Again, we tend to only hear the cheers… or only hear the cries.

I wish I knew exactly what the right thing to do was. I wish no judgment on anyone. I wish no discrimination on anyone. But I am not comfortable solely looking out for one people group. I am not comfortable ignoring how it makes one group feel. I am not comfortable dismissing the transgender students; I am equally uncomfortable thinking only of transgender students.

There is one additional aspect about Friday’s letter that makes me uncomfortable. Remember first that there exist three distinct roles within the U.S. branches of government:

The Legislative Branch, which makes the law.
The Executive Branch, which carries out the law.
And the Judicial Branch, which evaluates the law.

Each is to do their job. No branch has the job of another.

On Friday, the Executive Branch made the law. The expression of an opinion alone, of course, does not equate to lawmaking; it’s the inclusion of the threat to withhold funding due to lack of compliance that creates the constitutional conflict.

I’m concerned about that precedent. While there are valid reasons to agree or disagree with the Obama administration’s perspective on how public restrooms should be used, what’s concerning is the lawmaking precedent. If we are ok with that process now, then we will need to be equally ok with it later — with whatever the issue… with the arbitrary making of law and the arbitrary withholding of funds… and, with the one who decrees it…

… a President Clinton.

Or…

… a President Trump.

(…breathe in… breathe out…)

Respectfully…
AR

05/12/201605/12/2016

angry birds

First it was the pigs’ fortresses. Birds of a feather were slung into the dwellings of pigs, smashing and breaking them down. Through rocks, wood, mountains and ice, the fowl flew through previously thought-to-be, nothing short of impenetrable obstacles.

Why? Because the birds were “angry.”

First released in late 2009, “Angry Birds” became a bit of an Apple app phenomenon. There have since been 13 editions of the game and 3 more spin-offs. “Angry Birds” exists in various “Seasons,” “Space,” and even in “Transformers” and “Star Wars.”

These angry animals are so contagiously popular, it was reported last summer that the games had now been downloaded more than three billion times, making it the most downloaded “freemium” game series of all time. (Note: “freemium” equates to a pricing strategy by which a product or service is provided free of charge, but money — aka a “premium” — is charged for proprietary features.) “Angry Birds” is undoubtedly one of the most popular, mainstream video applications… ever.

Again… it’s all because the birds are “angry.” So does anger break through obstacles? Does anger fix things or make them somehow better?

Ironically, angry is an adjective frequently used by the NY Times, LA Times, Dallas Morning News, Yahoo, Mother Jones and more, to describe the current election cycle. As respected, former CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, poignantly said, “Electability, schmelectability: It’s the year of the angry, angry voter.” They say this is the so-called “year of the angry voter.”

I doubt, however, we’re all angry about the same things. Watch a Tea Party rally; watch the Black Lives Matter movement; watch “Occupy” anything. While they don’t all agree, anger seems more prevalent than any empathy or compassion ever expressed — especially for other people.

The “year of the angry voter,” therefore, arguably serves as the reason why Donald Trump is the last (reportedly) Republican candidate standing and Bernie Sanders continues to beat Hillary Clinton in statewide primaries. Trump and Sanders are tapping into it… “Until we fix it [the country],” said Trump, “I’m very, very angry.” According to Sanders, “I am angry. The American people are angry.” Yes, they are tapping into an anger, desiring to break through the obstacles that established politicians have enshrined for decades.

My sense is that the American public is weary of politicians pushing their own agendas… politicians seemingly lecturing the rest of us… politicians who represent a minimum number of constituents… and politicians routinely labeling others, shaming them, and pharisaically sharing how they are so divinely different. Oh, they are a not so humble few. Oh, that makes me angry.

As one who has been intentional in channeling anger into more productive avenues (although admittedly, not always successful), the words of author Matt Towery resonate with me… “This year has been described as the year of ‘the angry voter.’ The term ‘angry voter’ has always been used by the media to subtly suggest an image of crazed extremists.

I would submit that this is not the year of the angry voter.

I would argue that this is the year of the ‘I’m finished’ voter. I think that many voters feel about these elections as I feel about writing this column each week. They have watched so many politicians promise so much and deliver so little that they are finished with them. I know I’ve written about so many issues and political leaders for so long that I am as confused and frustrated as voters are.”

Yes, “finished”… that’s a better word.

In 10 days or so, no less, the American public will be subject to the one and only, “The Angry Birds Movie.” This anger is contagious.

According to initial plot summaries, one of our feathered friends, who used to be known as “a reclusive, cruel violent but grumpy red bird outcast prone to hissy fits,” is supposedly now reformed. We’ll see. The reform remains in question.

So — dare I say — do many of our votes in the fall of the year.

Respectfully…
AR

05/10/201605/10/2016

deeply divided

Let’s focus on a statement posed in a recent post. First, however, note the following current news reports…

“With a presidential election just six months away, Americans appear deeply divided over the role the United States should play in the world, according to an opinion survey by the Pew Research Center. ‘Considerable apprehension and concern’ are the words researchers used to describe the mood of the American public regarding how the country fits into the current world order.”

Or this one…

“The people of Chicago are deeply riven by race, class and neighborhood, distrustful of the police, fearful of the growing rate of violent crime and united chiefly in their disapproval of the mayor’s performance and their conviction that the city is headed down the wrong track.”

Or even notes taken from a scant scan of the headlines:

“Parties Nearly Conquered — and Deeply Divided”
“Texas Republicans Divided On Support For Trump”
“A Divided Democratic Party”

Fascinatingly, unfortunately, one word stands out: “divided.”

Fascinatingly, unfortunately, one phrase stands out: “deeply divided.”

Yes, the division is deep.

So what do we do?

Last week, the Intramuralist posed the idea that “the American political system will remain broken as long as there remain too many people who refuse to humble themselves, pray, and love their neighbor more than self.”

Let me edit that slightly for the purposes of today’s post…

Americans will remain deeply divided as long as there remain too many people who refuse to humble themselves, pray, and love their neighbor more than self.

Let me also be clear; each of those three steps is vital. We must one, humble ourselves; two, pray (acknowledging there exists a Divinity far greater than “me”); and three, love our neighbor just as much or more than we love and look out for own interests and well being.

But here’s the problem: too many of us only do one or two of the three. For example, I may pray consistently and love my neighbor fairly empathetically, but if when it comes to humility, I only see the need for the humbling of another, then I really don’t understand the step.

Or when I pray, if I’m always praying for the “other guy” to repent or finally come to his senses and my attention is focused upon the growth or sharpening that someone else desperately needs, well then, I wonder how God works with that. Each of us, friends, will always be in need of growth and sharpening.

Humility and prayer are the ways we grow. Loving others well is a manifestation of that growth. That’s why all three steps are necessary.

It’s also why without each of the three steps, the deep division may not-so-fascinatingly, unfortunately, only increase.

Respectfully…
AR