One of the many blogs I still peruse from time to time posted this video below. I had a hard time figuring out how to put into words the feelings that swell up inside of me when I see it. Right now, we're so divided into blue and red, rich and poor, liberal and conservative, black and white, us and them. I know I give in to those emotions too easily for that very reason: it's easy.
But even the Devil has a heart and some sensitivity. See, in this time of increasing bitterness as the political season comes to an end, it's a shame that we don't focus on the things that unite us rather than divide us. This video drives home that point more than just about anything I've seen lately. Joy is universal. Laughter is human. Silliness is something we all enjoy.
SO my simple plea for Americans is this. Go out and travel the world. The world is so much bigger than Ohio or Texas or New York. Meet people from different places in the world and listen to them. I think what you'll find is that they love their children as much as we do. They want social justice and to help the poor as much as we do. They can laugh at a dick and fart joke every bit as hard as we do.
Have a beer with a farmer from Mexico and ask him what he wants for his family. Ask that family from Syria or Palestine what they want for their children over a cup of coffee. Break bread with some young people from India or Kenya or Russia or Iran and ask what kind of world they want to see when they have children. Guess what? Fundamentally they'll want the same things. No, they may not necessarily be eyeballing that 47" HD TV, but they want clean water and food. Schools and education for their children would be near the top of their wish list. A safe place to call home. The ability for their children to walk home without worrying about mortars. We want the same damn things.
But go out and travel the world; meet some people and share a beer. THEN develop your opinion. If it's the same as before, then great but at least you'll have some perspective. I'll guarantee you though ... you won't be the same and you will learn something.
But even the Devil has a heart and some sensitivity. See, in this time of increasing bitterness as the political season comes to an end, it's a shame that we don't focus on the things that unite us rather than divide us. This video drives home that point more than just about anything I've seen lately. Joy is universal. Laughter is human. Silliness is something we all enjoy.
SO my simple plea for Americans is this. Go out and travel the world. The world is so much bigger than Ohio or Texas or New York. Meet people from different places in the world and listen to them. I think what you'll find is that they love their children as much as we do. They want social justice and to help the poor as much as we do. They can laugh at a dick and fart joke every bit as hard as we do.
Have a beer with a farmer from Mexico and ask him what he wants for his family. Ask that family from Syria or Palestine what they want for their children over a cup of coffee. Break bread with some young people from India or Kenya or Russia or Iran and ask what kind of world they want to see when they have children. Guess what? Fundamentally they'll want the same things. No, they may not necessarily be eyeballing that 47" HD TV, but they want clean water and food. Schools and education for their children would be near the top of their wish list. A safe place to call home. The ability for their children to walk home without worrying about mortars. We want the same damn things.
But go out and travel the world; meet some people and share a beer. THEN develop your opinion. If it's the same as before, then great but at least you'll have some perspective. I'll guarantee you though ... you won't be the same and you will learn something.
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
1 comment:
I love Matt! That dude is so inspiring!
Good post. Couldn't agree more.
Post a Comment