we build all manner of
walls and fences then wonder why
we feel so alone
We live in a time of such confusion and rancor, with a culture that puts a premium on things that don’t last – money, fame, status, likes.
We chase the approval of strangers on our phones; we build all manner of walls and fences around ourselves and then wonder why we feel so alone.
We don’t trust each other as much because we don’t take the time know each other – and in that space between us, politicians and algorithms teach us to caricature each other and troll each other and fear each other.
Former President Barack Obama in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, 2024.
Regardless of who and what and where and so many other things about this speech, it was the style of speech that stirred my soul.
It was a speech.
It was a political speech.
It had a narrative.
It had ideas.
It asked questions.
It answered questions.
It challenged you.
It wasn’t a rant.
I knew half the country watching this speech loved it.
I also knew that half the country hated it this speech, if they even watched it.
Remember when this is what politics was like?
How did the common denominator get to be so low?
Think of the world Mr. Obama described.
A world of such confusion and rancor, with a culture that puts a premium on things that don’t last – money, fame, status, likes.
A world where we chase the approval of strangers on our phones; we build all manner of walls and fences around ourselves and then wonder why we feel so alone.
A world where we don’t trust each other as much because we don’t take the time know each other – and in that space between us, politicians and algorithms teach us to caricature each other and troll each other and fear each other.
Honestly now, deep down where you are honest, not with the world, but with yourself, who wants to live in this world?
No Haiku For You 