Society's Subtle Sickness

Conformity is so common in our society created from capitalism. People sell others out to get ahead in jobs or other things. Many are quick to judge their peers as something less than themselves. They can’t help it because it’s the only way they can feel superior.

When reality creeps out from underneath the breath of silent bystanders it may very well be ignored as the masses are listening to their IPods. Truth, though often sought after, isn’t always warm and inviting. It can be as coarse as a cactus and equally hard to swallow. Should it miss the reciprocator’s vocal chords on the way down so she may be able to reply without the mess of coughing up blood? Then she'll return jagged words, equally hard to swallow, to the instigator. Both have their own version of what is real -what is their truth. Although each picture of reality may be entirely different from the other, every version should be considered with objectivity and scrutiny. Something in between will form a shape that resembles fact even if it’s ugly to look at.

Even if it’s not pretty to see it may be hard to look away. It's like staring at a horrible crash on the freeway - we’re rubber-necks - unable to resist urges to catch a glimpse of something hideous. We cause traffic to slow down and back up for miles. It's all affecting others. Maybe someday we’ll evolve to the point of speeding up to miss the sight of such tragedies and look inward for flaws to fix.

©November 17, 2009 – Tamara Imes-Nicholas