Friday, June 17, 2011

On doing good

In the wake of the rather embarrassing and sad riots that rocked Vancouver following the Canucks Stanley Cup final loss to the Boston Bruins, I've been troubled by the kind of human behavior, the total lack of caring, that leads to things like this in the first place.

On last night's news, a reporter caught up with a 20-year-old guy who had just been charged for participating in the riot. His total lack of remorse and WTF-ish attitude threw me off, as if he'd happily dive in again if the opportunity presented itself.

I felt a chill as I watched him speak. I worry for our future if this is what surrounds us.

Maybe the Rev. Tutu's words will help counterbalance all of this week's bad karma:
"Everyone do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
Your turn: Thoughts?

8 comments:

Steve said...

It’s scary and frightening how people can react when a team wins or loses a big game. It’s just sports! I hope every fan who caused all of that property damage is held civilly and criminally liable The courts must send a message that violence can’t be tolerated.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

No matter where this behavior takes place- country, state, city, why is it that this behavior is only seems to be displayed by men? what does that say about the male mentality? Does a result always end up w/primal actions? If so, we better watch out, because the animal kingdom may be watching and laughing since man is fearful of their primal actions...Once again, I've lost confidence in men.

daisy said...

Totally in agreement. I hope you don't mind if I borrow the quote.

Tabor said...

This behavior is anti-survival. Anarchy destroys the strength of a species. I read an article where the preference for male children in one-child China may perhaps lead to a more war-like population there.

Vanda said...

Great quote in the midst of atrocious actions in Vancouver riots.

MB said...

The mob mentality scares me which is why I won't be going to the parade to celebrate the Bruins win and would rather watch the games from the comfort and safety of my own home. We've had tragedies and destruction here whether the teams won or lost. It's crazy. Too many pumped up drunk people at these events.

Love the quote.

sunflowerkat said...

It's scary that something as unimportant as SPORTS can drive a mob to that kind of destruction. It doesn't matter if it's win or lose. One year, when my daughter was living in Pittsburgh, the Steelers won the Super Bowl. By the time she walked out on her porch at the end of the game there was already a chair on fire on her street. The mayhem grew from there. It's amazing how it happens everywhere and that WTF attitude prevails.

mmp said...

i give thanks often for people who step up to the mark and (with what must seem like weary repetitiveness) call us as a whole group Back to the ways we know to be right and Away from the ways that bring destruction.

People like Desmond Tutu are truely international leaders