RECIPE: A Touch of Genius and a Lot of Courage
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction. –Albert Einstein
The photo of a anonymous woman sitting on a curb in the aftermath of one of many random killings in a Chicago neighborhood. The photo appeared in our local paper a few days ago. The sepia tone of the photo communicates the despair of many who have homes, raise children, who live in the south and west side communities wracked by gun violence. Tried and true application of law and order, “more police” is irrelevant when there are plenty of guns, and no prospects of employment at a livable wage. A hopeless person with a gun, is likely to go “all in” when encountered by law enforcement. Naturally the law enforcement officers have adapted to the violent environment, —with violence.
It’s not an action adventure movie. It’s everyday life for Americans just like you and me.
A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest… a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty
.–Albert Einstein
This is the mission before us.
