As we head into the New Year of 2022, I have taken some time to look back at my life as an American man in his early 70’s.
It is amazing to me all that has happened in our society and the rest of the world since the 1950’s and what we have seen.
A number of wars…….The Korean War, the war in Vietnam, the Iraq War, the war in Afghanistan, numerous outbreaks of religious and political battles all over the world. Conflicts in the Middle East, civil wars in Africa and South America, conflicts in India and Pakistan and we could go on and on.
Just think of all of the racial protests in our country due to the systemic bigotry and hatred against people of color. Peaceful protests for equality turned into riots by the police and/or the military during the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King gunned down in ‘68.
President Kennedy assassinated when I was in 8th grade. His brother Robert F Kennedy gunned down in ‘68, as I was a senior in high school.
Apartheid in South Africa into the 90’s. The protests in Tienanmen Square that were deadly in China back in the late 80’s.
A number of countries being overtaken by autocrats who then invaded adjacent countries. The abuse and slavery of women and children. Gangs and cartels controlling communities with violence and oppression.
Back in 1971, John Lennon wrote a song called “Imagine”, in which he asked all of us to Imagine a world in which we could all live as a “brotherhood of man and live as one.” That was, and still is, an incredible message that unfortunately has not come to full fruition.
Well here is what I need to tell everyone in our society and the world.
The Golden Rule is a basic human principle that is found in every religion and society in the world. Most all of us have learned that from our parents, church or school. But some are not acting according to that basic human principle.
Right now there is a surge of bigotry, hatred, white supremacy and the continuance of racial inequality in our society. We all consider the US to be the greatest country in the world. Yet the division in our society has led to an attack on our Capital, just close to a year ago. This was promoted and backed by our President and some members of Congress.
This incident is unimaginable in the greatest country in the world! But it did happen and the division still goes on and seems to be gaining some ground.
A few years ago I wrote a song called “The Golden Rule”. And then finally made a simple YouTube video of me singing that song. I have tried to get this message out to our society with only a little progress over the last two years. Perhaps The Daily Kos platform can help to spread this message.
Imagine if we all followed and lived by the Golden Rule. Perhaps others would realize that their bigotry, hatred and actions are not warranted and unacceptable to the Golden Rule. And maybe all could realize the commonality of this basic human principle. That is my hope. We all need to set the example by our actions.
You can view my song with a click on this link. The Golden Rule
Take care and Happy New Year! 2022 will be better as long as we live by the Golden Rule!