Perspective

2 May, 2011

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

- Martin Luther King, Jr (quote via jennajasso.com)

Last night I posted to Twitter: “Serious tweet: how does a parent explain to a child why people are excited about a death without sounding as shallow as a jersey shore fan?”

And the question still strikes me, primarily as it must not have occurred to the thousands of revelers who were cheering in front of the White House last night. I know the country has gone through a tough patch. I know our elected leaders haven’t come off as especially genuine lately. I know it’s been a long recession that we’re coming out of. And yes, I know what LeBron did to Cleveland.

(Image via myfoxhouston.com)
But are things so bad that people lose their shit just because someone they hated died? The outpouring of celebration seemed so misplaced. But, today it hit me just WHY it seemed so wrong.

I remembered when I was a little guy, playing baseball and hit my first home run. I rounded the bases, and when I got back to the dugout I got a little cocky. My father saw this, pulled me aside, and said one short, clichéd sentence, said something that struck home.

Act like you’ve done it before and act like can do it again when the time comes.

In short, those citizens dancing in the street over the death of Osama bin Laden were the equivalent of Terrell Owens¹, so insecure about their strength, skill and drive that every achievement somehow warrants jubilation.²

¹That is, a dickhead.

²These emotions, of course, are very different - and very understandable - for someone who lost a loved one on 9/11 or in the ensuing campaigns.