Ball of Confusion…

by Urban Views RVA December 6, 2017

We are in the midst of the Holiday Season and also a firestorm of events, situations and historic and seismic change in our national discourse. There are parades aplenty and an abundance of public buildings, streets, stores and storefronts, decorated to the hilt ushering in the Christmas season. While we prepare to travel to meet with family and friends or focus on hosting seasonal celebrations, the backdrop of our national politics have moved from a simmering potpourri of domestic concerns ranging from the loss of healthcare, (hidden in the mad push for tax reform), the neglect of immigration reform, more than questionable ethics in local elections, to the historic firings of powerful men from media, business and politics based on sexual misconduct, abuse and assault of women and girls over several decades.

There are daily accusations of iconic figures from popular culture that have, in some cases, been contrite and apologetic, while in other cases defiant and accusatory. We have the fear of guns and assault weapons due to several recent mass shootings in public places like churches, concerts and malls, and nothing has been done to address those concerns. Our international reputation and standing within the global community has been severely diminished while we stand closer to the precipice of nuclear war than we have since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is truly a “ball of confusion” as the Temptations old song decries.

If this is where we are as we close out 2017, what will 2018 hold? The national conversation about the President of the United States has begun to center not only around his politics, but also around his mental capacity and ability to fulfill his office and the duties therein. Impeachment and obstruction of justice are consistently and increasingly in the headlines and front and center in the current discourse and debate. We are living in perilous times and we cannot continue to pretend any of it is “normal” or just the way things are. Times are changing and they are changing quickly! It is imperative that people make preparation. We may be going backwards, losing ground due to the political climate in which we live. It CAN Happen! History is destined to repeat itself when the population refuses to learn from the past.

People need to inform themselves and get educated about the issues that are of concern to our families and communities. Do not continue to be ignorant or believe everything you are told, whether it comes from the media or the pulpit. It is time for you to take on the responsibility for your citizenship, locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Don’t depend on others to do it for you…our children and our grandchildren are depending on us to get informed and get involved.