When Will We

We can all remember moments when “We went too far.”

The exact second when you told a joke, without intending to offend, and as the words hung in the air, you knew, it was too late.

Perhaps when trying to be candid, you quickly became aware your words were brutal and had hurt another

Or maybe when you expressed a cruel uninvited opinion about another’s loved one, a child, a husband.

I remember my moment when queried, and my answer in one word, destroyed a relationship evermore.

Has our country reached that moment in time?

Have all the inflammatory stories, opinions, threats, accusations that have flooded our world via TV, print and internet resulted in the chaos America is now suffering?.

The old adage “Don’t play with matches” comes to mind.

We have been playing with internet matches for so long, we didn’t see the first burst of flame.

When vitriol became the salt and pepper of language, decorum was forever extinguished.

It is rather ironic to think of how assiduously we watched health guidelines; had annual testing, and sanctified preventive medicine, but totally overlooked the escalating physical threat provoked by language.

Rage was wrapped in humor, and rode on the vehicle of social media and was endorsed by messengers disguised as politicians, comedians and late night hosts.

And while we watched, giggled and forwarded websites, opinions, and witty words, the fire was smoldering.

Everyone who had the ability to provoke public opinion neglected the boundaries. As a consequence our country and perhaps the world is paying a price.

Vocal assault became a game. The participants belonged to both political parties. No one in the public eye is exempt from blame.. As the boundaries not only of good taste, but wisdom, rapidly evaporated, a tacit approval of anything said, rapidly blossomed.

What is happening today didn’t escalate overnight. The volatile seeds were planted quite a while ago, indiscriminately without caution.

Once fires were started by matches, today’s words spread flames more rapidly via devices . Our world has learned hatred ignites far more rapidly than most incendiaries and travels faster than dreaded viruses..

When edifices like St. Patrick’s Cathedral are defaced, and homes and businesses of innocent people attacked, it is too late to attempt to calm the raging fire of hatred.

Once the song said, “When will we ever learn.......”

Now I wonder if it is too late to learn??????