Although the lines between 'appropriate and inappropriate' behaviour on the part of adults the world over, regardless of race, creed, culture, religion, nationality etc. seem to become increasingly clear. With the passage of time, it also seems that throughout the globe, and without exception, so many people are still unclear about how to truly live and abide by these supposedly hard and fast common guidelines.
Indeed, whether in the work place, at home or in social settings, it seems that most people have serious challenges recalling and demonstrating the strength of character intrinsic in upholding basic right and wrong when a matter or decision somehow affects that person, a member of his or family, a friend or someone whom he or she supports.
Selfishness, greed, injustice, unfairness and general inequality continue to show their ugliness, and though often re-decorated as something else, the evil they represent, convey and effect is demonstrative of how unsophisticated still seem to be.
The very same 'universal standards' of that which is by and large considered acceptable behaviour - that is, the things and actions which touch the core values relating to self-respect and respect for others, (the absence of which results in a blatantly unequal, unjust world), are the very standards which we are witnessing being used inconsistently and applied unequally at the will of the strong against the 'not so strong' today!
Indeed, it is a sad indictment on the very fabric of our respective communities that such blatant hypocrisy is allowed to be carried out (without repercussion or correction) with such distasteful frequency.
For most of us it is (1) considered vital that we are all equal 'before the law' and (2) that laws do not seek to regulate morals but instead that their construct, interpretation and enforcement must be guided by the standards required to ensure peace, freedom and fairness.
Tied in with the two principles set out in the paragraph above functional democratic society must at all times ensure the absolute fundamentals of the separation of powers!.......It seems though, that once again, as we look around us at all that is happening around us, in all societies, humankind is forgetting how many times we have been down this road.....how much sweat, tears and even destruction of lives and livelihood had humankind been through before we accepted 'universal principles.'
Today, sadly, there are clear, (and some not so clear), indications that once something might affect a particular person or group directly and in a way which (though otherwise reasonable) is not acceptable to them at that particular time, that rather than seeking to work out a way to move forward on the basis of our accepted universal rights, people typically revert to seeking that which they want regardless of any virtually any violation of the rights of others.
In spite of lip service to the contrary, the fundamental lack of respect for all that has gone before us, is often shocking. It is worse than alarming to see so many cases where like crabs in a barrel, we try to achieve the top rung, whether or not our actions in so doing be to the detriment of fellow women and men.
Most frightening of the analysis of this reality is the most important question of all: Is humankind capable of actually achieving a 'higher level of goodness', thereby truly advancing our existence on this earth or are we inherently and forever ultimately doomed to fail at moving our civilisations forward?
The obvious reality which we must all face, is that we each have a vital role to play in ensuring that we advance humankind, the daily decisions and behaviours of every one of us is what determines our collective direction. Where would you like to see us go?
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