As I look around me, I can't help but get the feeling that America seems to be an angry place these days.
We're angry that a shrinking portion of the population controls a growing portion of the money. We're angry that public schools are failing our children. We're angry that our so-called leaders are more concerned with partisan mudslinging than solving our nation''s problems. But more than anything else, we all seem to be angry with one another.
Look, I get it. We're a PMS nation built on anger. Heck, the very foundation of this country was built on anger. "What, you're going to tax us without fair representation? You're going to tell us whom to worship? You're going to treat us like 2nd-class citizens? Fuck that. We're starting our own country!"
However, we seem to have reached a point where the appropriate response to life's irritations is sheer anger and rage. Have you read the newspaper lately? Every minor tangle is a potential interpersonal Gulf of Tonkin incident. Funny looks on the street result in brawls. Incidents on the highway result in road rage. Innocuous slights by strangers end up in wrathful revenge.
Now, don't get me wrong. Everyone feels anger. I don't ever want to NOT feel anger. But, as Dennis Miller once said, the collective mistake we're making is this: Anger used to be a bass line that we used to merely provide a funky bottom to our cultural zeitgeist. It's now broken out into a shrieking guitar solo that's drawing a rivulet of blood from all our ears.
So maybe during this holiday week when we get together with all of our weird relatives and stuff our faces, we can turn the dial down on some of that hate and take some time to remember how lucky all of us truly are. In the grand scheme of things, even the most disgruntled among us is living better than 99% of our fellow inhabitants on the planet. Trust me, I've seen it firsthand.
For better or worse, let's give thanks and be truly grateful for all that we do have in our lives. Let's remember to help those who are less fortunate. And let's always remember that health, love and friendship should never be taken for granted.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families. Good will towards all.
Peace out, homies.
Word, brother.
Posted by: Kevin (Always Home and Uncool) | November 23, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Well said.
(Nice "bass vs. guitar solo" analogy.)
Posted by: Daddy Scratches | November 23, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Fuck you, Pierre. I still wanna kick your ass for beating me at fantasy football...
(happy turkey day)
Posted by: L.A. Daddy | November 23, 2011 at 03:06 PM
This is why I love you, man. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thanks for help keeping it all in perspective.
Posted by: jackson | November 23, 2011 at 03:08 PM
I was going to say what Kevin said: Word.
I wrote a similar post yesterday. However shitty things are here, we've got it way better than most of the rest of the world: our median income is top 1% in the world ($50k/yr).
Posted by: the muskrat | November 23, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!
One of the things I am grateful for is your blog.
Posted by: lurker | November 23, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Always love hearing your take on things. Happy Thanksgiving to you and the Peanut.
Posted by: Isabel | November 23, 2011 at 05:14 PM
www.twitter.com/OwenMarcus
Posted by: Owen Marcus | November 24, 2011 at 10:09 AM
I loved this. Thanks.
Posted by: Sara C. | November 24, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I just got back from seeing the Muppet Movie with my granddaughter. It was so refreshing, so upbeat and such a cry against the cynicism of much of what we see on the media. So nice to see a 'nice' movie. It made me feel good about myself and the world. And I laughed a lot!
Posted by: carosgram | November 24, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Great post! Thanks for sharing it!
Posted by: Tia G | November 26, 2011 at 02:31 AM
NIce post, unfortunately it's wishful thinking. We are a nation who doesn't feel thankful for anything.
It's hard to be when we expect it.
Posted by: Chopperpap | November 26, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Hope your Thanksgiving was peaceful and happy.
Posted by: Asianmommy | November 26, 2011 at 03:28 PM
Truly inspiring words!
Posted by: Ashley | November 26, 2011 at 07:27 PM
needed that.....
Posted by: brownaround | November 27, 2011 at 07:41 PM
That Walmart brawl over a $2 waffle iron? All of the participants should be required to read this post.
Posted by: Paige Jennifer | November 27, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Preach it brother. I only wished I read your post before I pepper-sprayed those people at Walmart on Black Friday.
Posted by: Roy | November 29, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Yes, and thank you.
Posted by: Pam | November 30, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Yes, too much anger on the subway. I find myself walking faster than before due to all these angry people including myself. I try to hide my anger though.. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving with Peanut.
Posted by: susan | December 02, 2011 at 09:59 PM
I completely agree with you! I notice how angry everyone is about everything! I try to lead by example by being positive as often as I can. I work as a nanny and love my job, so I'm sure it's easier for me to be positive than most. Just remember smiles and laughter are infectious...but so is anger!
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Posted by: Whetsmarisa | January 04, 2012 at 04:21 AM
I completely agree with you! I notice how angry everyone is about everything! I try to lead by example by being positive as often as I can. I work as a nanny and love my job, so I'm sure it's easier for me to be positive than most. Just remember smiles and laughter are infectious...but so is anger!
Posted by: Eimantas | February 06, 2012 at 08:53 PM