Thoughts from Outside...

It never ceases to amaze me that people who live in similar environments can still be so different.  One thing I’ve found as I’ve lived overseas and traveled around the world and even around the United States is that really, people are the same.  They want the same things.  They want a family who loves them.  People who remember good things about them and a place to call home.

That being said when you have discussions about viewpoints of people and the judgment styles of people, this is where we are very different.  For example, I have found that the Irish seem to be the least judgmental people I’ve encountered.  Being from a very Catholic country it would seem that it would not be the case.  It would seem that anyone who was different would be considered an outsider but that’s definitely not the case.  Instead they, as a whole and yes I’m being stereotypical from those I’ve encountered, believe that people should live their life and have equal rights.  It’s not a judgement thing, it’s a person thing.  It doesn’t matter if someone is gay or transgendered, they’re a person. 

This whole process of living in the Middle East while an election is going on in the United States.  One that has really only seen hatred and bigotry at this point makes me incredibly happy that I have chosen to raise my daughter outside of the United States.  At one point the U.S. tried to tell others we had freedom and people 

were equal but the more we look into history we find that it is not the case.  Men and women are not equal.  Black and white are not equal.  The government still holds the most cards and really people may think they are free but they don’t seem to be.  They are heavily influenced by the media and what those around them say.  The media has not helped the population, instead it has made it a population that cannot think for itself.  It would seem that the population of the United States takes everything on the TV and internet as truth and does no research on it.  They seem to have no idea how to have their own opinions. 

The media celebrates people who do things that are outlandish and show bad behavior while criticize those who are looking to help others.  Gain equal rights to all and just be good people.  Protecting a child while they are in the womb is a priority but making sure that same child lives in a home where there are people who love him or her, food, clothing, and a safe place to rest their heads is not the priority.  Instead they are criticized and ridiculed.  People are given shame instead of help.  When they ask for help they are often denied if they can’t “work the system” and the cycle continues. 

What would happen if we looked outside our box that is the U.S. and really looked at those places that value people?  What if we looked at countries who have no idea that ‘black’ may offend some people but would never think to use it in a derogatory way?  What if we choose to smile?  What if we choose to volunteer?  What if we choose to stop and enjoy the sunshine?  Would that be how to make America great again?