Violence manifests itself everywhere

Submitted by Cheryl Mavrikos (United States), Dec 11, 2008 at 13:45

One of the most striking things I heard in the hours following the terror in NYC on 9/11 was that viewing the film footage was like watching a movie. Although everyone knew this was real, not fiction, our society has grown so innured to violence in all its manifestations - from video games to Hollywood, from road rage to office outbursts and school shootings - violence against children, against animals, against women and the elderly. Excessive displays of media violence, coupled with the disassociation of the individual from society created by hours spent in front of the television and computer, has created a world where people feel isolated and anonymous. Lack of community and social cohesion make conditions ripe for the infliction of terror without the normal response of social unity and resolve to fight against those who make it their business to victimize others. Our meek justifications for terror and even misplaced empathy with terrorists is the prime enabler of terror and will insure its continuance UNLESS we act together as a community and universally condemn all forms of senseless violence.

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