I can’t do it any more. My days of watching bloodshed and mayhem are over. At one time, I loved any kind of shoot ‘em up western and I absolutely adored war movies. Intrigue was a solid staple of my television and movie viewing.
As the years moved on, I became increasingly sensitive to senseless violence. That was before television and movie violence became exceptionally graphic and gratuitous. In the good old days, victims on screen died without blood spilling or guts falling out. Now, every nasty detail is displayed. Thank you NCIS and Law and Order.
Plots and Conspiracies
For me, it is not only the violence. Behind-the-scenes plotting and conspiracies also wrench my stomach. The context of these nasty behaviors do not matter – they make me sick like bad shrimp. Whether someone is plotting and conspiring on television or in real life, I am sickened. We see it in the workplace, in education, politics, and even in church (unfortunately). But we also see these vile behaviors on stage and screen.
I was never a fan of many of the classic plays of Shakespeare because the creative intrigue he developed, which we use as a model to this day, turned my stomach.
Over the years, the debate has risen and fallen regarding the effects of entertainment violence on the minds of society. Usually, we think in terms of children, but adults should not be left out of this discussion.
Creating Violence
I will not bother to interfere with the rights of those entertainment professionals who continue to create violence and mayhem for the hearts and minds of Americans and the world-wide population. I am not in favor of bringing an end to the debate regarding whether art imitates life, or life imitate art. I just know that I am sick of violence and sick of people plotting to hurt others. I am perturbed by the deceitful evil nature of man – whether in art form or in life.
Around the World and in Our Backyards
I read various newspapers each day. I discover violence coast-to-coast and in every part of the globe. There is a bloody war in Europe and Asian countries are on alert due to the shenanigans of China and North Korea. On the continent of Africa there are 12 countries suffering some level of armed conflict.
Because of safety concerns in Latin America, among other reasons, thousands make their way to the United States each year.
But right here – here in Maryland and the District of Columbia, not far from any of us, violence abounds. In Baltimore City, it seems there is a murder or an attempted murder every single day. And in our homestead of Howard County, well, for those of us who keep up, we know that crime is higher now than it has been historically.
Our Failure Rate
I am not a social scientist, but do I need to be one to extrapolate, coming to the conclusion that we are our own worst enemy? Most of the local violence here is not coming from despots or political evil doers. Most of the violence is coming from our (collectively speaking) children.
We have failed in our families. We have failed politically. We have failed as a society. We have failed!
The mischief around us grieves me deeply, but it is not so unbearable that I will run and hide, only to write commentaries regarding our societal woes. Rather, I want to start a new conversation about our collective responsibilities. I want all of us who live and breathe to become active in bringing a halt to the madness. Let us make an attempt at living peaceably with one another.
If you are curious about next steps, check this section for weekly updates. If you want to comment on this editorial, send an email to news@guilfordgazette.com with the subject line “Stop the Madness.”