If you’ve been following my blog you know that I’ve become less and less tolerant of the violence in our world. I’m tired of people dying from violent crime. Kids, cops, bystanders–all people. We live in a culture of violence and we’re reaping exactly what we have sown.
If you’re a Facebook friend, you may have seen my Facebook friends express strong opinions about guns, pro and con.
You may have read along as we parsed the issues and debated. But the time for parsing and debate is done.
It’s time for action.
It’s true that any one person can only make the smallest difference. But if we each commit to taking one step to help reduce violence in our society, our efforts can multiply.
So I’m asking everyone to take a single step in their lives to show your own intolerance for violence, and to share that step here in the Comments section of my blog.
I’d like to also ask you to share this post so that others can join our efforts.
Pledge to take that one first step.
We don’t need to see the whole staircase–just the one step. And maybe that will inspire another. And then another.
My one step: I will no longer consume any entertainment product that is rooted in violence. That includes films, games, television shows, websites, blogs and music. I won’t buy them for others either.
I’m asking you to let us know what your one step against violence is in the Comments section of this post. And to share this post on your own social media sites.
Who knows, by sharing you might inspire someone else’s one step. And everything that has ever been achieved began with one step. Every step is a start. No step is too small.
I’ll revisit this subject and update it from time to time. And thank you.
I think the best step we can take is to try to raise a kinder, gentler next generation. Each stage in parenting offers different levels of ability to get through to our kids. Mine are grown now and we have honest discussions of what we see in society and how different decisions could have been made that might have had different outcomes.
I agree with Karen@BakingInATornado. I see the way my daughter and her hubby are raising their children — they stepped back a few decades. One of the first things is allowing children to play outside and find ways to entertain themselves — not play violent video games. A very wise woman told me when my children were young — children only learn one way — example, example, example. If we have road rage, scream at people on the phone, get angry instead of working it out, — it doesn’t take long for kids to pick up on that ‘violent’ tone. I agree — don’t support the violent games etc, by buying them!
I like your one step…I would select the same one. It is appalling to me how violent games, television, and movies have become…there was a family murdered in Spring TX yesterday (where my son lives) and it was so disturbing…it is frightening how this is happening too much. Thanks for all you are doing Carol…I support your efforts and stand by your step!!
I never watch violence or listen to anything of a violent nature. I stopped watching the news two years ago because it was more than I could handle emotionally. I just get a filtered version through my husband.
The first article I ever had published was some 20 years ago where I shared that I would ask my daughters at night, “What was the best thing that happened to you today?” It taught them to watch for “best things” each day, knowing that I looked forward to hearing about it, however small, each night.
If I were a parent of young children today, I would recant that question to, “What is the kindest thing you did today? ” or “What is the kindest thing you saw someone do today?” We need more civility, more consideration, more kindness. We need to do it, see it, appreciate it, foster it.
The growing disregard for human life is disturbing.
Carol, thanks for posting this. I already skip violence in entertainment, so I’d like to take another half step. Yesterday I heard some sports radio commentators joking about brandishing a gun and shooting the team who didn’t play well. They went on and on, like it was so funny (“oh, so you didn’t get on base, bam, you’re dead”). I turned it off, but today I will send an email to the station that it was offensive and careless.
My daughter is having a little girl in less than a month. She called me the day after the Seattle shootings which were near their home. She was fearful about the world that her little girl is being born in to. I told her that each parent who brings a life into this world has a responsibility to teach tolerance, compassion and kindness. We CAN change things one person at a time. Thanks for this great post!
Hi Carol, I have long believed that the women of our world are the only one’s who will ever turn this around completely. As the majority of humans on this planet, we could do it if we cared enough, worked together and did what it takes to stop it. Thank you for your focus on this. My “Step” will be to continue to work towards peaceful solutions every single day. ~Kathy
I HATE guns. I have nightmares about them. I was part of the Million Mom March, and had gatherings in my hometown about them. I always imagine someone walking near me with a gun. I’ve been in movie theaters where I check people out who I think look suspicious (of course Ted Bundy was a handsome – cough, cough – guy.)
I rally against violence in all forms, Carol, so thanks for bringing this to the forefront of your conversations. It’s needed badly. I cringe for the people in Israel right now…
My most important step is think before I shop. I pledge to do look at company core values when I have a choice, and shop my conscience. Takes extra time but we can’t bring about a shift in thinking unless we do that with our habits and our pocket books.
I love this idea Carol — you can’t fight bad things with more bad. Spreading negatives just creates more negative. Together, positive choices, moving in a good direction….
I am so with you. I also have stopped watching anything violent. I sign every single petition for gun control, I speak out, I speak up, I don’t shut up. I love that graphic — one step at a time. Great post.
This fall I will be tutoring high school students in the Oakland public schools’ “Writer Coach Connection” program. Better education doesn’t automatically reduce violence in our culture, but it gives the better-educated more choices about how to lead their lives.
Carol – this is such a great post. Last week I wrote about stopping the violence. My 16 year old came home from school happy that he had made it through another year without being shot at school. I was floored by his comment. I’m also tired of talking about it – we need to take action. I want to LISTEN to the people I come in contact with. There is so much mental illness that isn’t being dealt with – so I want to listen to my neighbors and help if needed.
People get tired of my political rants. Sometimes I do rant about war, how violence has touched my life here in Tucson, about my lack of understanding of how people can spend their lives wrapped up in concern for Kim and Conde, William and Kate, Justin, and on and on, but have no time or energy to give to Trevon, Christina Taylor Green, Central American refugees at our border, or even the animals we allow to be tortured and killed every day due to our ignorance. So what I am doing, and will continue to do even through the frustration and sadness that comes with awareness, is to continue to hone my written and spoken voice in order to speak truth to and about power in a way that does not alienate but rather draws in folks who might not have joined in building a better world had I not walked the walk of writing the talk. Thanks Carol for calling us to action. I shared this post on Facebook.
I don’t watch violent movies or television shows anymore. Partly because of my desire for a nonviolent world and partly because I don’t enjoy them at ALL. I also write about and support anti-bullying campaigns. That’s where violence often begins – with childhood bullying.
I agree with Karen@BakingInATornado. I see the way my daughter and her hubby are raising their children — they stepped back a few decades. One of the first things is allowing children to play outside and find ways to entertain themselves — not play violent video games. A very wise woman told me when my children were young — children only learn one way — example, example, example. If we have road rage, scream at people on the phone, get angry instead of working it out, — it doesn’t take long for kids to pick up on that ‘violent’ tone. I agree — don’t support the violent games etc, by buying them!
Great post Carol. I too tire of all the violence. I have long ago given up watching violent forms of entertainment. My next step is pledging to not purchasing the violent games, toys or entertainment for my granddaughter.
I commend you for this post! Something needs to change! I should NOT have had to post about bomb scares in my son’s high school and a college shooting not far from where my daughter goes to school – all in the save few months!
I have always encouraged my kids to be kind, and one of the things I value in them both is their courage to always stick up for someone being picked on. Bullying is a major issue across the ages, and dealing with it is a good step to curbing violent behaviors.
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I think the best step we can take is to try to raise a kinder, gentler next generation. Each stage in parenting offers different levels of ability to get through to our kids. Mine are grown now and we have honest discussions of what we see in society and how different decisions could have been made that might have had different outcomes.
I love this.
I agree with Karen@BakingInATornado. I see the way my daughter and her hubby are raising their children — they stepped back a few decades. One of the first things is allowing children to play outside and find ways to entertain themselves — not play violent video games. A very wise woman told me when my children were young — children only learn one way — example, example, example. If we have road rage, scream at people on the phone, get angry instead of working it out, — it doesn’t take long for kids to pick up on that ‘violent’ tone. I agree — don’t support the violent games etc, by buying them!
I like your one step…I would select the same one. It is appalling to me how violent games, television, and movies have become…there was a family murdered in Spring TX yesterday (where my son lives) and it was so disturbing…it is frightening how this is happening too much. Thanks for all you are doing Carol…I support your efforts and stand by your step!!
Thank you for participating, Pam!
I never watch violence or listen to anything of a violent nature. I stopped watching the news two years ago because it was more than I could handle emotionally. I just get a filtered version through my husband.
It’s a great step, I think.
I go by the philosophy of be the change you wish to see in the world. So I am kind to everyone that I meet and I am never violent.
that’s beautiful, Dannii.
The first article I ever had published was some 20 years ago where I shared that I would ask my daughters at night, “What was the best thing that happened to you today?” It taught them to watch for “best things” each day, knowing that I looked forward to hearing about it, however small, each night.
If I were a parent of young children today, I would recant that question to, “What is the kindest thing you did today? ” or “What is the kindest thing you saw someone do today?” We need more civility, more consideration, more kindness. We need to do it, see it, appreciate it, foster it.
The growing disregard for human life is disturbing.
I adore that.
Carol, thanks for posting this. I already skip violence in entertainment, so I’d like to take another half step. Yesterday I heard some sports radio commentators joking about brandishing a gun and shooting the team who didn’t play well. They went on and on, like it was so funny (“oh, so you didn’t get on base, bam, you’re dead”). I turned it off, but today I will send an email to the station that it was offensive and careless.
Action is the way, thank you!
My daughter is having a little girl in less than a month. She called me the day after the Seattle shootings which were near their home. She was fearful about the world that her little girl is being born in to. I told her that each parent who brings a life into this world has a responsibility to teach tolerance, compassion and kindness. We CAN change things one person at a time. Thanks for this great post!
What a beautiful teaching!
Hi Carol, I have long believed that the women of our world are the only one’s who will ever turn this around completely. As the majority of humans on this planet, we could do it if we cared enough, worked together and did what it takes to stop it. Thank you for your focus on this. My “Step” will be to continue to work towards peaceful solutions every single day. ~Kathy
I agree, women have a huge role. Thank you so much for your step.
I HATE guns. I have nightmares about them. I was part of the Million Mom March, and had gatherings in my hometown about them. I always imagine someone walking near me with a gun. I’ve been in movie theaters where I check people out who I think look suspicious (of course Ted Bundy was a handsome – cough, cough – guy.)
I rally against violence in all forms, Carol, so thanks for bringing this to the forefront of your conversations. It’s needed badly. I cringe for the people in Israel right now…
I get you, I really do, cough and all!
My most important step is think before I shop. I pledge to do look at company core values when I have a choice, and shop my conscience. Takes extra time but we can’t bring about a shift in thinking unless we do that with our habits and our pocket books.
I love this idea Carol — you can’t fight bad things with more bad. Spreading negatives just creates more negative. Together, positive choices, moving in a good direction….
Together, we can shift the world.
Excellent post, Carol! My one step will be to speak up anytime and every time I see bullying in any form, which I believe is the root of violence.
That is an excellent step, Mary.
I am so with you. I also have stopped watching anything violent. I sign every single petition for gun control, I speak out, I speak up, I don’t shut up. I love that graphic — one step at a time. Great post.
I love that you sign petitions. Any little thing can have big results. You never know.
This fall I will be tutoring high school students in the Oakland public schools’ “Writer Coach Connection” program. Better education doesn’t automatically reduce violence in our culture, but it gives the better-educated more choices about how to lead their lives.
Thanks for the post, Carol.
OMG, I love that. Yes, teaching and tutoring are important influences in the lives of kids.
Carol – this is such a great post. Last week I wrote about stopping the violence. My 16 year old came home from school happy that he had made it through another year without being shot at school. I was floored by his comment. I’m also tired of talking about it – we need to take action. I want to LISTEN to the people I come in contact with. There is so much mental illness that isn’t being dealt with – so I want to listen to my neighbors and help if needed.
That is one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard, what your son said. Ah. I hope you find a great first step.
People get tired of my political rants. Sometimes I do rant about war, how violence has touched my life here in Tucson, about my lack of understanding of how people can spend their lives wrapped up in concern for Kim and Conde, William and Kate, Justin, and on and on, but have no time or energy to give to Trevon, Christina Taylor Green, Central American refugees at our border, or even the animals we allow to be tortured and killed every day due to our ignorance. So what I am doing, and will continue to do even through the frustration and sadness that comes with awareness, is to continue to hone my written and spoken voice in order to speak truth to and about power in a way that does not alienate but rather draws in folks who might not have joined in building a better world had I not walked the walk of writing the talk. Thanks Carol for calling us to action. I shared this post on Facebook.
Thank you for doing all you do, despite the frustration, and I share it, too.
I don’t watch violent movies or television shows anymore. Partly because of my desire for a nonviolent world and partly because I don’t enjoy them at ALL. I also write about and support anti-bullying campaigns. That’s where violence often begins – with childhood bullying.
It’s great when you can write and influence others…anti-bullying measures are amping up.
I agree with Karen@BakingInATornado. I see the way my daughter and her hubby are raising their children — they stepped back a few decades. One of the first things is allowing children to play outside and find ways to entertain themselves — not play violent video games. A very wise woman told me when my children were young — children only learn one way — example, example, example. If we have road rage, scream at people on the phone, get angry instead of working it out, — it doesn’t take long for kids to pick up on that ‘violent’ tone. I agree — don’t support the violent games etc, by buying them!
That’s what it takes.
Great post Carol. I too tire of all the violence. I have long ago given up watching violent forms of entertainment. My next step is pledging to not purchasing the violent games, toys or entertainment for my granddaughter.
Good for you!
I commend you for this post! Something needs to change! I should NOT have had to post about bomb scares in my son’s high school and a college shooting not far from where my daughter goes to school – all in the save few months!
I have always encouraged my kids to be kind, and one of the things I value in them both is their courage to always stick up for someone being picked on. Bullying is a major issue across the ages, and dealing with it is a good step to curbing violent behaviors.
The world has gone crazy, I think.
I will figure out which politicians that are running who are backed by the NRA and vote against them.
Oh yeah!
No more violence on TV or in movies!
I’m with you.