John Ruskin (1819-1900), 17th century British art and social critic, had a lot to say about the social ills of his time. Almost all are applicable today.
One of my favorite Ruskin quotes that I often do not follow religiously enough myself is this:” What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.” Amen! Can I get a witness?
If only we all would heed this wise counsel, but most often we stand back and remain indifferent to the problems we face as a nation and as a society. We expect others to do the heavy lifting of assuring national security, freedom, justice and social change. We expect others to stand up and call for equality and fairness while we mumble and complain in the background.
How many Americans are quick to voice their disapproval and condemnation of our nation’s policies and of our elected representatives but don’t go to the polls to cast their vote?
In the 2004 election the turnout was a dismal 64% of registered voters yet was up from 60% in the controversial 2000 election in which, although Al Gore won both the popular vote and the electoral vote, the election was awarded to Bush by the Supreme Court. How many registered Democrats did not vote in 2000? How many eligible voters who favored the election of Gore didn’t even bother to register?
In the 2006 elections the number of those under thirty who went to the polls was the most of any election in 20 years yet only 1 in 4 eligible voters under 30 years voted. Where were the other 75%? Did they not have an opinion? Did they not care?
How many Americans were against the invasion of Iraq but stood silently by and allowed the Bush administration to invade a sovereign nation that did not attack us and was no serious or immediate threat? A nation that had absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attack of 9/11.
We instead rely on our verbal and financial support for change. Sure, there are a few of us who will sign a petition or donate to this cause or that cause; a little to this campaign or that campaign, but those actions are not nearly enough.
How many of us will get off our ass to go to meetings and rallies and how many will volunteer to knock on doors and write letters? How many will call their representatives to let them know their views on an issue? And how many will speak up when confronted by a verbally and physically threatening bullies who are have learned to use hatred, violence and fear to get their way?
How many just stand back and quietly take satisfaction in the idea that their knowledge and beliefs are on the right side of the issues? I guess they feel God knows where their heart is and that’s what counts.
Tell me this. What if the God you know, the God you worship and trust in is just like you? What if your God conveys wonderful thoughts and words of love and salvation but does not feel any responsibility to DO anything about it? Who will save your ass then?
It’s time we all take active responsibility for our nation, the plight of our fellow men and our world. I reiterate Ruskin:” What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.”
