Posted on 01/19/2015 8:29:45 AM PST by aft_lizard
Ive been asked to give my thoughts on the highly publicized recent events in the media because of the pigmentation of my skin. Yes, I am African American, but Id like to simply be referred to as an American. My ethnic background also includes white, black, and Native American. Now that thats out of the way, here is where I stand:
15 million children die each year from starvation. (A third of these children live in Africa) A few months ago, we were all going to get Ebola. (My allergies did get a little crazy around that time.) 22-23 veterans end their lives each day. Ive known and served with four. ISIS was supposed to be at my door by now, still waiting I need to test a few new cartridges on something other than ballistic gelatin.
Over 113 officers have been killed to date this year alone. Approximately 40,000 women are expected to die this year from breast cancer. Oh, and some chick who is married to a guy named Kanye West posed nude and broke the internet.
Im not sure if my way of thinking comes from my upbringing, or if it derives from my military background as a Ranger in the 75th, but I like to try to put things into perspective. What I believe we are seeing in the media is this big push that only separates our nation by using the pigmentation of ones skin. Skin color does not determine how one should act, dress, feel, etc.
Ive been told that Im not black enough by individuals of my own pigmentation simply because I talk a certain way and dress different. So be it. That really doesnt concern me. What does concern me is the fact that an extraordinary amount of time, effort, and attention is being focused on a couple of highly publicized events, when there are very real problems with us as human beings at hand.
Perspective.
Is there a such thing as racism? Of course. Ive experienced it multiple times. Is there a such thing as a crooked cop? Of course. Ive experienced it. With the two experiences stated, after the individuals got to know me as a human, I was viewed as such. A human.
I also believe in the power of trend and television. We see whats trending in the media and we join in. I dont see the same fervent protests at the White House to get better PTSD treatment for our men and women returning from war, nor do I see the same angered demonstrations over millions of children dying from not getting a meal as I see with the outcry in Ferguson, New York, etc. Its simply because one topic is being publicized and others are not.
Trending.
The change I look forward to is when a Kardashian is no longer a household name, publicized 24/7 on the news and social media, and has the same relevance as a spent cigarette filter. Change will not occur if the change does not start from within the individual.
Television Programming = programming the individual by telling your vision.
In order to progress as a RACE, we must start caring for the human RACE as one.
RLTW!
Nick Irving is a former US Army Ranger who served his entire military career within the ranks of 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Nick's career took off when he became a sniper. During his time as a sniper, he earned the titles Sniper Team Leader, Master Sniper, and The Reaper.
Thank you.
Awful nice post, thanks for the change of air..in the atmosphere...around here we need a breath of FRESH.
I agree. And you are welcome. I can’t imagine he will sit silent with Michael Moore mouthing off, hopefully he fires a salvo his way and calls him out.
Sad.
5.56mm
Amen, to that!
He still falls for the African first nonsense.
Where do you get that? He certainly doesnt say that, he says he prefers to be called American.
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