Dear Leaders, Dear Parents
This new wave of parenting, armed with the power to spy on their kids through social networking sites, as evidenced in this discussion, is symptomatic of our out-of-touch culture. Our parent's generation is self righteous because we've lied to them (I know I lied to mine), so they became arrogant in their self-righteousness, and we learned it from watching EACHOTHER. It's the lie that we're all autonomous in our boxes on the hillside, that we don't need our neighbors, and that our friends mustn't know about our struggles. We're all fine! Except when we're not. Our society is crumbling and all we can muster is an inward fight with our families and our selves.
Our leaders are self-righteously arrogant. So we think that's what it takes to become leaders. But we're human and we make mistakes. But such mistakes would blow the cover off our “perfect” lives! Lie! Cheat! And, failing that, self-medicate! Buy! Sell! Inject! Implant!
STOP!
Look at us! We're fucked up! And if you, specifically, think you're not: fine. Stay strong. But admit there's a problem, alone in the act of pretending you're not part of it.
I had dinner with my parents the other week. I let it all out: I'm not an alcoholic anymore. “Why?”. Because Obama became president. My parents voted emphatically for Bush both times. “Why?!” Because I have hope now. And a tear came to my Dad's eye.
I'm a patriot. “Of course you are! We've always believed you are!”. But I was led to believe I wasn't. “Why?!” Because I don't believe in war. And my mom wept.
Mom and Dad: come join me on Facebook.