Tim Reid’s Blog

ANGER

The now daily images of angry citizens that flow across my 40-inch flat screen digitally enhanced TV has driven home the fact that anger teaches us something about who we are.

Through the veil of Constitutional Rights, America now vents its frustration, fears and all too often, its falsehoods, with fanaticism that dances on the fringe of insanity. Consumed by the fires of perception we seem to have forgotten the simple lessons that give birth to civility. There is a fair amount of theatrics in the performances of our enraged citizens as if life has taken the form of a low-budget reality show. It’s as if he who shouts the loudest and says the most absurd thing becomes eligible for cash and prizes. The winner is seen the next morning making the rounds of what now passes for news programs.

It appears that we have become addicted to bad behavior. The majority of us now live in fear of life. What will become of us, how will we survive this crisis? Meanwhile the “Bottom-feeding Pundits” play to our fears and incite us to dig deeper into our despair. Least you forget how bad things are, they constantly take polls and quote statistics, proving that they are justified in continuing to scare the hell out of us.

Are we not aware that all this anger and fear is damaging our very souls? Are we so lost that we cannot understand that a world filled with doubt, fear and anger will ultimately destroy its own future? Where is the dignity in screaming over the voices of others to state your disapproval but have no alternative options? I was taught by the generation before me that if one loses their dignity, they lose the essence of their soul. What are we now teaching the children who will come behind us? Will they have any need to use words like character, dignity, courage and morality? Judging by the way we are responding to the first real crisis of this generations’ era, it’s time to pause and consider the words and deeds that will mark us and determine the future of this great country.

Chill people, ratchet down the hostility. To hell with perception, grasp reality and let’s come up with some solutions.

Where Are The Elders?

   Recently a young black man called out to me, “Elder Reid, may I speak with you?” It was a sobering moment, not because the term “Elder” has come to mean someone senior in years. Hell, I am senior in years, and damn proud to have survived and earned every one of my 64 years. It was the term itself, which brought to mind what it used to signify in our communities. When I was a kid, it was used as a term of respect and recognition given by the people. You weren’t born an Elder; that status was earned by how you lived. The young man and I chatted for a few minutes and we went our separate ways, however the term “Elder” has stuck with me and caused me to reflect.

   In life, as in sports, you reach a certain point in your career when you’ve got to make a decision; do I still want to run with and challenge the young players or am I ready now to coach? Perhaps one has learned enough to help the next in line become a better player? 

   We now live in a world where most folks, 60 and over, want to stay on the playing field. Using the sports metaphor, they still want to be the quarterback or the running back, the “marquee” player. Well, if the game is to get any better, somebody’s got to coach. Some of us need to do what in life, “Elders” do. It is time to take on the responsibilities of passing on the cultural traditions and experiences needed to support our communities.

   Many of us have lived through difficult times, personally, professionally and politically. Some have had problems with the law, with alcohol or drugs, with family separation; some have seen things no person should ever witness. What we all have in common is the fact that we’ve survived and learned something from our experiences. I’m proud to step into that position because “back when” an Elder was there for me.