Skip to main content

Guns

So, I'm not anti-gun. I understand that people enjoy many different activities that involve guns, and I'm cool with people owning them and using them. I've written about this before... I don't understand the need for a hand gun - unless you're hiking in bear country, or possibly in cougar country, you really don't need a hand gun. Ever. Police? Yes. Military? You bet. Personal defense? Not so much. Long rifles and shotguns I can understand a little better - sports, hunting, target shooting, whatever... Absolutely. Again, the focus is not on the silly idea that you're using the gun to defend your family, but to provide and entertain... Some people even earn a living target shooting, and more power to them...

So when I see things like this:

This Comic Sums Up the Double Standard Used to Excuse White Violence

It makes me wonder a little about the double standard, about the implications or race and gun ownership (shucks, this black kid can't even own a water gun without being labeled a "thug"...)

I'm reading James Michener's marvelous book "Chesapeake" (and highly recommend it, by the way). He talks at length about the mental attitude of white plantation owners in the early 19th century towards blacks. While it's cute sometimes in our post-modern world to point out how silly these folks really were, and note the damage they were doing to themselves and their society, I wonder how far removed we are from such an attitude today. The sad reality is - not really very far, despite all our advances. There's a long way to go.

We don't need a world where race is not an issue - it will always be an issue, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Differences between people (biologically, ethnically, and culturally) enhance our world and make it stronger, more vibrant and interesting, and lead to a kind of yeasty and delightful recipe in which new and exciting ideas can grow and flourish. Being a certain race changes how one views the world, and it's very important to acknowledge these changes. What we need is a world where these differences can be celebrated, rather than used as a tool to keep people down. We need a place where questions of sex, race, religion, culture, ethnicity, etc are not kept quiet, but are shown for what they really are - differences that enhance and augment our society.

For too long we've lived in a white male dominated society, and I believe that's detrimental to all of us. ALL. OF. US.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ephesus

Paul got around. Ephesus is right on the Aegean Sea, on the coast of present-day Turkey. Yesterday he was in Galatia, which was much more towards the middle of Turkey. And when he actually wrote these letters, he was in Rome... So the man could travel. He probably walked. Today's item of interest comes from chapter one in Ephesians. Verses 18 and 19 are particularly interesting: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power This is not the first time Paul talks about an inheritance. In Galatians he talks about the inheritance that comes of being part of the Abrahamic Covenant. He notes that we are joint-heirs through and with Christ. In Ephesians, he uses the word "adoption" - that we are adopted as the Children of Jesus Chris...
7 comments
Read more

Engaged

Three Dog Night got it wrong.  One is not the loneliest number. They were more accurate when they said Two can be as bad as one.  I really wonder how people can survive Without being fully engaged. How they live through each day Without the intimacy I so very much crave... Maybe I am unusual in my desire  To have this intimacy, To want to feel that soul So close to my own Sharing light and warmth, Sharing love and passion, Sharing life. Alas! Alas! Alas! For when I do seek to share It is often only to be rebuffed Denied Or used up, Sucked dry, And left an empty husk.  I want SO MUCH to share And all I have is the cold, digital world Of typing out a blog.
12 comments
Read more

Lucky!

So Tomorrow is Amie's birthday. The 12 th is Andy's. The 14 th is Alex's. And the 26 th is mom's. Happy birthday everyone. I recently found that a member of our ward has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has a survivability rate of less than 5% and you never, ever kick it, even if you live. Once diagnosed, people are expected to live about six months. My wife and I were talking about this wonderful woman. There are very few (too few) people in this world who shine. Literally. This sister shines with a light that is perceptible and discernible . The world will literally be a darker place without her in it. Life is short, folks. Too short for hard feelings, too short for pain and misunderstanding. I love you all so much. Sorry this one is such a downer... I don't mean to be lugubrious on your birthdays... I consider myself lucky to be your brother. You have and continue to bless me and my family in many ways, for which I will be eternally gra...
4 comments
Read more