what Gen Z, Alpha & Beta need to know
In recent days, we’ve heard some wise words. And to be honest, also some incredibly foolish ones. In our individual reactions, we sometimes say things to others that unfortunately reveal less about another than they do about our own pride and lack of wisdom.
Some of the wisest words, no less, came in the days leading up to the election. Not from a politician but rather from sportscaster, albeit passionate, articulate opinion holder, Stephen A. Smith. He appeared on a panel on Chris Cuomo’s News Nation.
He was responding to Amber, an 18 year old college student, who was intentional in pondering her first opportunity to vote. She asked the panel, “What’s the most relevant piece to the younger generation of voters?”
In other words, what would be wise to know?
I so respected Stephen A.'s response...
“… Speaking collectively about both parties — understand this is a nightmarish situation — you have the power to change and the people like you, but you gotta pay attention. You have to understand that the love that when Andrew (Kolvet, fellow panelist) talks about, you should have for this country, I agree with him. Even with all of our problems. You have to understand that there are people literally from like the movie ‘Dark Knight’ where Batman, when he talked about some people who just want the world to burn. You have that in existence in our country today. On the right — the extreme right — and on the extreme left. They want the way things are to be burnt to the ground. And they don’t give a damn who gets squashed in the process. They are not interested; they’ll swear that they’re interested in your well-being and that of the younger generation.
What they’re interested in is what they want. What they’re interested in — their definition of happiness — is to dissipate and diminish and to lower somebody to their level of misery. And you gotta ward that off at every turn.
And the reason why I’m very, very big on being an independent is because my attitude is that I don’t give a damn about what side of the aisle you’re on; you’re supposed to be able to talk to somebody from the other side… You’re (those who are elected) there to represent the people — not yourself. But they’re not doing that. So you’ve got to make sure you do your homework and find out who the hell those people are. And you get rid of those who ain’t. And you insert people who think that way. And where you find that out is a willingness to simply talk with one another. About your disagreements.
Look at what Chris (Cuomo) does every night on this show. He talks to people from both sides. She’s up here. He’s up here [pointing to people on the panel]. Willing to talk to people on both sides of the aisle. They have their beliefs, but they’re willing to engage in a discussion about what works and what doesn’t work for this country — not themselves.
And you’re going to be called upon to think about somebody more than just yourself. All of those students you go to school with, your professors, your parents, people that you’re going to be assigned to look out for because you’re going to be very successful. And in the process of doing so, if all you care about is what you want, but you don’t take into account what other people might want — and the idea that somebody might actually have a better idea than you originally thought of — then you ain’t no better than them.
The extreme right, the extreme left is a disaster for this country. They want to see America burn. And what you want to do is you want to be an American citizen that says, ‘Hey, I don’t give a damn about our problems; we’re America. And we can overcome it if we’re willing to talk with one another, be decent with one another, have conversations, engage in dialogue, and truly truly embrace what might be in the best interest of the country.’
There are people who don’t think like that. Weed ‘em out. Get rid of them. That’s what you do.”
Simply talk with one another. That’s it. Absolutely wise to know. And consistently practice, too.
Respectfully…
AR
