Note from Judy Vorfeld: this is not a political statement targeting any person: it is merely a composite of some of my thoughts on the excessive use of bullying in today’s restless culture, my part in it all, and my commitment to be a better person.
Ever since the printed word came into existence, it’s been closely followed by the cartoonists of the day: stretching, embellishing, & expanding stereotypes. While most of the “cartoons” spanned snarky to savage, it was a way for a publication to express political opinions.
Today, Social Media’s a huge player in terms of shaping our country’s attitude. And it has, since its inception, allowed us to make fun of political figures. We who are active in Social Media are constantly exposed to (or creating) “snarkiness,” but did you know this often plays a significant part in influencing younger generations?
Sure, many colleges and universities lean in a specific direction and that in itself is concerning. Same with much of our media, nonprofits, and corporations and on and on. But when we openly and regularly, in all our arrogant omniscience, fail to set better standards, we send a powerful message to today’s kids: “It’s okay to be mean. To bully.”
I do not care what kind of ice cream Nancy Pelosi likes. Personally, I go for Breyer’s chocolate peanut butter. I don’t care what or how much she eats or drinks, what she wears, or about anything to do with her teeth. I do pay attention to her political ideas. She’s entitled to them, and I’m entitled to analyze and decide how they fit in my life, if at all. And it’s not my job to worry about Mitch McConnell’s magnified eyes, Ted Cruz’s creative beard, or John Bolton’s magnificent mustache. It’s my job to pay attention to what they say in reference to politics.
I’ve seen the of people who are rioting and getting in the face of authority. Where did their contempt come from? What the heck are they doing? What makes them so easily led? Could they be, at some level, expressing some of our frustration and anger at the way things are today? Perhaps, all too often, they are replicating their elders. Imitating us. If we raised our kids to be kind and never to bully, and write or endorse silly, stupid name calling, what does that make us? I don’t know about you, but it makes me a closet bully, and today I’m coming out.