Call me old-school, but in this age of neoconservative
demagoguery, liberal political correctness and increasing
“cultural relativism,” I still believe a little honest,
rational debate and discussion can improve the world. It’s
the 21st century, but there remain plenty of injustices and evils
yet to be tackled ““ many of them right here in the United
States of America.
Truth be told, we live in a crazy world, so we have a lot to
discuss. Here are a few things to think about:
“¢bull; We use advanced technology to slay our own kind. Every
year, around 450 people are murdered in the incorporated city of
Los Angeles. Over 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001 by
crazed sociopaths. A mere 50 years ago, tens of millions were
killed or maimed during World War II. And countless
“regional” conflicts since continue to obliterate
millions of lives.
“¢bull; The Internet puts terabytes of information on any topic
in the hands of everyday citizens. They can use the knowledge they
gain from this information for just about anything.
“¢bull; We pay farmers to fallow fields, yet there are people in
every country who struggle to put food on the table.
“¢bull; We spend billions on designer clothes, yet millions go
without medicine.
“¢bull; In the last 100 years, cars, planes and rockets have
brought people closer together. In hours, we can travel distances
that used to take years to cover.
“¢bull; We agree that families remain the core nucleus of human
life, yet the definition of “family” is different
depending on who is asked.
“¢bull; We are victims of crime if our car stereo is stolen, but
countless women are brutalized in silence around the world.
“¢bull; Robotic toys, video games, chat rooms and television
have completely changed what we do with “free time” (a
concept still unknown to many in the world).
I could go on, but you get the point ““ life is intense and
confusing these days. And because of this intensity, it is often
painful and difficult to even think about life, much less talk or
write about it.
Class, jobs, dates, drunkenness and sleep all tend to get in the
way of meaningful thought and debate. After all, with a widening
gap between rich and poor, and the increasing mediocrity of a B.A.
degree, who among us has time to be high-minded?
In fact, that is the problem ““ information, travel, fun
and even work all come easier than ever before. But genuine caring,
generosity and depth of thought seem to be scarce commodities. They
are hidden beneath the calloused shield which protects each of us
from the terrors and pleasures of emotional commitment to our lives
and the lives of fellow earthlings.
Maybe that’s why no one trusts politicians these days.
Deep down inside, we know they are trapped in the same rat race we
are, so how do we know they are honest statesmen and stateswomen,
and not just successful, greedy tycoons?
Wow, sometimes, I depress myself.
This is a depressing column, but for those of you who feel a
little sick and confused right now, there is hope.
Decide what you really care about and develop a passion of your
own. Zero in on one tiny issue or tackle the world ““ it
doesn’t matter to me. We never know what we will accomplish
until we try.
Explore your feelings. Waste time and talk about relationships,
humanity or world wars late into the night. Meet new people who
share your views. Remember that anyone can change. Give others
respect. Demand that others respect you. Help us define diversity.
And please, talk, write, debate and learn.
And if you ever feel confident enough to get on your own little
soapbox on the Viewpoint page, get in touch with me. I’m
frantically checking my e-mail box.
Actions speak louder than words, but words precede most
actions.
Lazzaro is the 2003-2004 Viewpoint editor. You can contact
him at dlazzaro@media.ucla.edu.