Novelist Alice Seabold (The Lovely Bones) wrote a wonderful piece in the Sunday New York Times about how to remember the dead of 9/11 and Katrina. She offered that when we do think of the death, the loss, the devastation we pause and let ourselves really remember the dead, not push away the thoughts, the feelings, and for some, the memories.
I like that and I also think we need to remember in another way – by becoming better informed. I have become increasingly alarmed about the absence of reality in American society (not sure about other countries , I’d love to hear from readers). By that I mean we live in a more and more manufactured way – whether watching TV, working in a climate controlled building, or taking vacations at a theme park. This trend worries me for many reasons but primarily the way it shows up in media and politics. We have become a nation that can’t agree on the facts. We call it “spin doctoring” but I believe we better call it what it really is – bullshit doctoring.
My dear parents often tell me, “You can’t believe a word the media writes” and “All the media is controlled by liberals.” My liberal friends are positive the media is controlled by right wing corporations and Bush family cronies. Both may be right – and for now, it doesn’t matter because until we learn to find the truth, we are screwed either way.
Let us stop labeling, stop sticking our heads in the sand (so many people have stopped caring or reading or learning because of this sort of non-debate about who is telling the truth) and start learning how to be informed media and political consumers.
I welcome your suggestions on how to become a truth finder. I’ll be offering mine in the coming days.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Michelle Ensminger Sep 14, 2005
Good, good thoughts. I think for myself, when it comes to being open to the truth, I have to take it little by little. If I stop to think about everything I don’t know and everything I am completely ignorant about, it can be overwhelming. That in and of itself can shut me down quicker than anything. If I’m already so naive, why try? So I choose to open myself up to the truth a little at a time, in doses I can handle and absorb. That amount may be different for everyone. Then I let it sit in me, become a part of me. Sometimes it doesn’t seem enough. I get discouraged thinking I should know more and be more aware, be a more active part in the world around me. But I remind myself that everytime I learn something more and take responsibility instead of blaming, I grow stronger and am able to offer more to my family, my community, my nation, my world, and in turn myself.
2 knit and purl grrl Sep 14, 2005
As always, you are full of wisdom and all things light and thoughtful.
Thank you!!!!
(And check out my blog at http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/. It’s about knitting, mostly, but there are some other things tossed in there! I will put a link on my page to you…)
3 Cynthia Sebastian Sep 14, 2005
I have never shown my writting
before now. What you posted resonated
with me and I feel like sharing .
“A Memo to Me”
The earth as we know it, is almost over,
. almost over
Can”nt you feel it in the wind?
The way time flies.. goverment lies …
and all the while we smile and
go back to sleep.
Politely believeing while slipping deep
into an illusion of safety.
Media dispels and delivers what its
told to tell. As long as we have a name for IT, as long as we can
call IT something pleasant.
People, these masses , that dream , will follow the headlines and go back to sleep.
Not paying attention is costly.
This is your life.You are required to
be PRESENT, in the moment, lucid. Use your ears more and your mouth
less. Give thought Before speaking.
There are consequences for every choice I make.
….Lets spend at least as much time on that thought, as we would a menu, in deciding what to eat.
Be Here and now. This is where I can
make a difference.Wake up people.
There is strength in unity.
Ghandi said it best: Be the change you want to see in the world. Peace.
4 Marilyn Sep 15, 2005
I just read a blog post today that talked about the media phenomenon of “Logo with Reality”…how every tragedy and disaster is instantly given a catchy moniker by the networks. We’ve watched a lot of CNN since Hurricane Katrina struck; I know they have (had) a tag for the storm and its ensuing devastation. I can’t think now what it is (was?), but it’s astounding to think how many times I heard and saw it. Some of the most powerful Katrina moments in the media for me have been the still images, shown with no narration. As a culture we’re always so obsessed with LABELING things that we forget to let things–including our worst tragedies–just BE. To let ourselves bear witness to them and change us in our deepest selves in silence…rather than as the result of media blaring.
5 Iyou Iself Sep 15, 2005
I agree with you, that we have to be more informed. Informed about what though that is the problem. I say this because, if we were to know of everything going on behind the closed doors of governments, there would first be utter fear and then complete anarchy. I think to be a truth finder, is to first understand that to inform is an internal process and dialogue with self. But at the same time, I need to be aware of the xternal forces and happennings. This creates a balance of doing and knowing what to do according to the time and circumstance. As you have mentioned, we have become so seduced by sound that we are fear>full of silence. Without silence, I cannot inform myself. Without silence, the universe cannot inform I.
SILENCE IS TRUELY GOLDEN
6 Poppy Dec 5, 2005
I’ve finally found time to read through some of your blog entries (been meaning to since the last few newsletters), and this one strikes a painful spot.
My parents, my mother especially, raised us believing that being informed was part of being a good citizen. We’ve had some discussions after the last couple of elections, discussing why young voters are so disenfranchised, and she is disparaging about the idea that I keep presenting to her, which is this:
A young woman, out on her own, possibly responsible for one or more children, possibly married but most likely not, simply doesn’t have the time to spend watching endless news reports and reading the newspaper to stay informed. Not when the job demands this and so, the family wants this much, she needs some time to recharge, and things just keep piling up.
As much as I try to stay informed and be a good citizen, there is a point where it is contrary to my own self-care. I feel we need to devise better networks to facilitate getting good information available and provide everyone with the support they need to take on the responsibility of citizenship. Somehow.