Ignoring the Isms Won't Make Them Go Away

Classism.

Racism.

Sexism.

Militarism.

Dogmatism. 

Physical Intimidation/Domination.

Have I missed anything? Yes, I get weary of talking about the ills of the human psyche and how it manifests itself in a myriad of ways. Over at What About Our Daughters you can read the story of how a 18 year-old male beat a toddler to death and how other adults in the household did nothing. How many women have been raped, kidnapped or murdered this week? How many people will find out they have HIV this week? How many teens will get kicked out of their homes for being LGBT? How many people will lose their jobs? You know it can be quite maddening. How can people go through life with blinders on while other people are suffering, starving or sick? How can a person be expected to maintain their sanity at the prospect of more pain and the obvious imbalance? 

If you notice these things how can you not be outraged? How can you not feel compassion and want to do SOMETHING about it?! Of course there are numerous shades of grey involved where people may not be living under such extremes. We still have to proceed anyway and find our own sense of peace amidst the chaos.

Don't you wonder if all the self-help, be happy, focus on prosperity, follow your bliss platitudes/theories/philosophies are designed to keep some of us on the treadmill of acquisition, ever wanting and are very much part of the Western way of life? Though there may be some usefulness to them, don't they just breed selfishness and focus on individualism? I know there's often some "give back" adage included but it seems that's done with a wink or fingers crossed behind the back just to keep the process going. 

Perhaps I'm being cynical right know. I just know that in times we achieve a certain amount of growth/social change/a correction of wrongs the equal and opposite scenario presents itself. I know that's some scientific theory. I had to look it up:

Newton's Third Law: For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction

So for every progress we make, we have to be prepared for some sort of push back don't we? Isn't that being clever and strategic? Progress is limited without adding power and position. Should we not focus on the biggest prize and not be deterred by temporary roadblocks or shiny objects on the road? We have to pay attention to the direction we're going in to do that. Sentiment is worthless without action.