My friends I can no longer stay silent.
I am about to speak on something I am passionate about.
(What?? Ashton is passionate about something? No way. That's not like... oh wait.)
We are in dark days. I do believe that our days are lighter and brighter than we are led to believe, but dark days nonetheless. Division and hate are strong, and gaining strength. Every day it seems there is a new agenda meant to widen the rift between people, and we are falling for it.
Millenials vs. Baby Boomers.
Liberals vs. Conservatives.
Pro-choice vs. Pro-life.
Republicans vs. Democrats.
Gun reform vs. Pro 2-A.
In its simplest form,
Us vs. Them.
My friends, there should be no "us vs. them" in our world--let alone in our own nation, where we stand and recite "one nation (under God)". How can be be "one nation" if we continuously point fingers and search for enmity between each other?
Skin color doesn't matter. Socioeconomic status doesn't matter. Your stance on politics doesn't matter. My stance on politics doesn't matter.
You know what does matter?
Human hearts.
Every single one of us, every single one, is a human being. Why have we lost sight of that?
Humans have different skin color, hair color, eye color. Different strengths, different talents, different needs and weaknesses. Different opinions. Different backgrounds, different beliefs, different stories; different goals, dreams, and desires.
Humans are different.
That does not mean humans are divided.
The more that I watch our world crumble into hate and violence and despair, the sadder my heart becomes. Because it doesn't have to be so.
Speak kindly. Speak respectfully.
If you do not agree with someone, still speak kindly and respectfully.
Don't agree with that kid standing up and demanding gun reform because of a very recent, valid, and traumatizing event in his life? Fine, then don't agree. Listen, and then speak your own opinion--kindly and respectfully. He's a teenager. Maybe he'll learn as he gets older, maybe his opinions will change. I'll bet you've had some opinions change over the years, as you have learned new information and experienced new experiences and grown through time and life. Maybe it's a mistake for him to speak so fervently about gun control. I'll bet you made mistakes when you were his age. Listen, and then speak--kindly and respectfully.
Don't agree with that millenial shouting about a living wage because try as she might to live independently, it is impossible to both better herself through education and thus be better qualified for a higher paying job, and also provide for herself on $7.25/hour working 40 hours/week? Fine, then don't agree. Listen, and then speak, kindly and respectfully. She might be doing her best. Maybe there isn't a lot of other opportunity for her where she lives other than a minimum-wage fast-food job; maybe she can't afford to relocate to someplace that has more options, because she's working a minimum-wage fast-food job. I'll bet you used to work a minimum-wage job too; and you know what else? I'll bet you hated it just as much as she does. Maybe you even complained just as much as she does, except that maybe she's handling it differently than you did. Listen, and then speak, kindly and respectfully.
The divisive and accusatory rhetoric will get us nowhere, my friends.
It is dangerous for us to continue to foster hatred and anger towards each other. Our country will not survive if we do not find some common ground.
The best way to start, in my humble opinion, is to listen--and now that you have, please speak your own thoughts.
Kindly, and respectfully.
Speak love. Not hate.
Love means not bashing people online when you disagree with them.
Love means not spreading hateful comments, ignorant memes, snide remarks--online, or in person.
Love means listening, even if you don't agree.
Speak love. Speak unity.
And don't forget to listen.
