WORDS

It’s a Democratic Hoax.

All Republicans care about is money.

Jewish communities need to follow the rule.

Immigrants are criminals.

Jim Comey and the Democratically supported coup.

It is a difficult time, for all of us.  For me, a father of two beautiful, smart and funny children, it is a mixed bag.  I regret they are having to go through months of their childhoods indoors.  At the same time, I get a chance to commute less and spend a lot more quality time with them, getting to see how they are in ‘school’, how they transition to things, and see some of the struggles they go through first-hand.  I’ve noticed since home schooling began our house is a lot calmer.  There is no hurrying out the door to get to school, no rush to swim lessons, and fewer time crunches.

I’ve also noticed my youngest son going through a control struggle, wherein if he doesn’t get what he wants, he uses very bold language and threats (if you don’t give me candy, I’ll never sit with you at dinner again or play with you again).  This usually ends with my wife and I smiling, still telling him no and watching him storm off to his room.  Five minutes later he’ll return with another round of intimidation tactics whereby he’ll promise we’ll never get to kiss or hug him again.  This too will result in him eventually storming off to his room, which will prompt me to remind him that we don’t slam doors in our house.  Within half an hour, the whole thing has passed, he nearly always apologizes, we hug him and normal family life returns.  It reminds me that we can’t nor should always take the words of five year-olds so seriously, nor should we allow them to make so many choices because things for them happen on a whim.

It is a very different set of circumstances for we adults.  Adults using strong language like my son would carry with it a great set of fears for a child to hear.  Children wouldn’t be able to separate whether or not we were just having “a bad day” or were in a moment of anger.  They don’t always get sarcasm either.  I can never allow myself to forget this, because the moments I have done so always come back.  I’m ashamed to say I have had my moments of weakness in front of them, and it still affects them in some ways.  For instance, one time the wife and I had a huge dust up right before we were supposed to leave for a trip, and she said something that I was so insulted by because she assumed I had done something with a motive I never would have, that I threatened not to go.  To this day, when we speak of trips the boys ask for sure if I’m coming.

Words always have power, and they become more powerful when followed by the actual actions.  However, if words are not chosen wisely, their affect can be lost.  Naturally, like the boy who cried ‘wolf’ my five-year -old’s words aren’t to be taken as seriously now until we see what he does.  We’ve learned as parents.  Words can lose their meaning or importance.

Now look at the words and phrases that have come from some of our elected officials.  You’ve heard these types of phrases come from them and then be reiterated over and over and over by the media. They are repeated by friends and family alike, sometimes without consideration as to whether they bear any resemblance to what’s really going on.

The word coup, for instance, is a popular term today, particularly with Fox News and their ilk.  As in, the investigation into the President was an attempted coup against the government. The French word coup can mean several things, as in a strong tactical move, or a notable move, or the seize of the government by force generally --- as in coup d’état (blow of state literally).  No doubt, the words above are meant as the latter, which generally requires the force of an army behind you.  Whatever you believe of the motives of the men investigating Trump, a coup is not an appropriate term.  Investigations are common, whatever the motives of the people involved.  Coups are rare, and when they happen, there is no doubt as to what is being done.

Yet, this is the time we are living in, where words are slung around in the ethernet with no one taking responsibility for them; the same world where Sean Hannity gives his opinions with a banner in big letters that says Fox News and the smaller word “channel” underneath that, giving him the credibility of being a journalist – he is not. 

But we hear these words from the left too, grouping all people who voted for Donald Trump as red-necks, under-educated dolts and racists.  Group statements of this nature seek to push people to shame people into change but only inflame the fire of anger and hatred.  Many people (sadly in my opinion) saw Trump as their only option.

Thus, what happens?  We stop listening, expecting the vitriol and building up our defenses to it.  We stop caring as the words get tiresome and boring, and we no longer realize that these dramatic statements we are making crater our credibility for future wise things we might wish to add.

This is as much a mea culpa as it is a blame.  In my experience, this lockdown has offered us a perfect chance to review the world from a cleaner slate; a slate that exists with ALL OF US being connected and affected by one thing – a new deadly illness.

Those worrying about their economic futures certainly have good reason.  For those of us who aren’t as worried, it’s time to reach out and reassure those who are: whether it is by actual financial assistance or the offering of one’s extra home office as a living space.  This is what is necessary.

This virus has already taken the human element a step back and the planet has show signs of renewed healing in just the short six weeks’ time we’ve been staying away.  Life is suddenly being seen in the canals of Venice, Italy again.  Buildings once obscured by pollution are visible again.  We are seeing the results of what our actions can look like if we turn them positive.  This virus has given us a reason.

Put the words and anger away.  I, for one, will try, and will look to embrace those in this crisis whom I can assist.  I encourage everyone to do the same, because viruses do not discriminate – only humans do. 

I wish you health, safety and strength during this time.  And if you need a neighbor, my family and I are here.