I have never been a fan of television. I have lived for extended periods of time without one and tried unsuccessfully, to prevent my daughters from becoming addicted to it. I am not anti-television per sé. I believe it has its place in today’s world; but for many it is habit forming and unhealthy. Addictions aside, it is the prevalence of violence with which we should be concerned. The majority of movies and television programs contain some form of violence.
Gun ownership has risen exponentially in recent years. Much to my surprise, a photographer was shot and killed yesterday by actor Alec Baldwin. A director was also shot, but not fatally. Who knew that real guns were used in making movies? One news report stated that Baldwin has had issues with anger management. I find it astonishing that someone who has achieved fame and fortune could be filled with hostility. It is too early in the investigation to determine if the shooting was accidental.
I am deeply concerned about the violence in our world. The human race has made great advances in many areas, but our affinity for murder and our base savagery have broadened. The lack of mercy and empathy in so many is frightening. Our children are being raised with fear and intolerance. Racism, xenophobia, and homophobia are giving rise to hatred and brutality. The attack on our capital this past January was a sobering example of what could come. It feels like we have taken ten steps back for every forward leap we have made. With nearly 8 billion people on the planet, it is more urgent than ever to bring peace to our world. If we do not begin to resolve the world’s conflicts, we may end up killing ourselves long before global warming ends us.
