Hearts Grow Cold

The human race is disappointing and inspiring at the same time.


Image Via 4chan/Twitter

I read this story about this kind looking innocent man harboring a few extra pounds.  He was dancing, and apparently got ridiculed for doing it.  The first picture shows him doing the dance and the next picture shows him obviously dejected.

It's not often that a story moves me to tears, but the beginning of this story really had me feeling sick.  The unnecessary sadness this man is feeling in the second picture truly struck a nerve deep within my soul.  This man is a human being, with real feelings and emotions, dreams and desires, yet many can treat him like he is nothing.  In that moment I had ask myself, "Is our culture really so filled with rude, demeaning and insulting individuals, and why does this kind of thing seem to be happening with increasing frequency?"

A quick browsing of popular websites like "peopleofwalmart", or a quick scan of posts trending on social media along with the nasty unfiltered comments that accompany them can easily break ones faith in humanity. In the scriptures we learn that "the love of many will grow cold". 

There is a cultural cesspool of demeaning, rude and critical attitudes that is invading it's way into the hearts of man like a deadly disease, and the primary symptom is zero empathy or heartlessness.  And it is being taught via the media starting at very young ages.

I had one experience with this kind of heartless media Last week, working in a clinic where I work with the youth. A child I work with as an SLPA wanted their fun activity to be watching a popular Disney television program. At one point in the program, and overweight female shows up at the main characters door, crying because she was stood up for her date.  What does the main character do in this situation?  Does he invite her in to listen with a empathetic ear?  Does he offer a kind word of empathy?  No, he simply remains quiet, gives her a rude look that implies "go away weirdo" and then shuts the doors in her face.  Cue the laugh track.

 But as I kept reading the story I also was led to remember that we humans are inspiring. The story took a sweet turn in a positive direction.  The good, the loving, the kind of society reacted.  Within a short period of time, over a thousand woman, and even a few celebrities including Pharrel and Andrew W.K. reacted by throwing this man a very special dance party.  The love and kindness shown to this man led to more tears than the hate inspired and I thanked my God that there are still a large amount of people who love.

I am not saying that we should ban out media, or even go to extreme measures to stop our children from being exposed to such media.  Instead we need to do our job as leaders and parents to teach our youth how to treat people through example.  We need to show them how to love our neighbor, and remind them to keep rude thoughts and comments to ourselves instead of shamelessly spewing hate over the internet.