I remember the first time I considered having kids, scary thought in itself, but I was also terrified of bringing them into a world where so many "terrible" things were happening. Wars, violent robberies, hate crimes, discrimination, unjustified marginalization, and selfishness. Of course when I voiced out such concerns, people pointed out that there were also millions of great things happening just not publicized. Scientific advances, charitable acts, miraculous life saving stories, people helping one another, etc. etc. Despite being a relatively optimistic person who always tries to give people the benefit of the doubt I couldn't shed the feeling of helplessness and despair off my mind. Then something magical happened, we moved to Canada. I felt sheltered, I felt safe, I felt a strong sense of community, I felt things worked, and things got brighter. Yes, I realize it's obviously not a perfect world, but I also wasn't constantly swarmed with negativity and depressing news. So, I got excited and as my world lightened up, the idea of kids re-emerged and then, Kiki happened.
Fast forward to today, woke up to find out about the Nice attack. After the previous morning I listened to Miss Alabama retract her "I don't feel sad for the officers, am I becoming desensitized?" statement, on top of a previous month watching a presidential candidate spread hate, in addition to racial issues in the US getting out of control, and violence all over the world, etc. etc. Things are looking a bit gloomy again, but now I have a child. A child for whom I had dreamt a better world and who I would protect at all costs, even if it meant moving to the boondocks to keep her safe and away from harm's reach. What I did realize is that over and over I hear people talking about "desensitizing". Questioning whether society has become immune to the violence, the hate, and the inhumanity of the hideous actions we see on the news day after day. I know I haven't. Day after day I become more worried, scared, and the feeling of helplessness and sadness returns to add to my already child raising stressed mind.
As I walked home from dinner listening to music on a shuffle an oldie that always brings me close to tears came up. A song that a young Leon Gieco (Argentinian song writer/singer) wrote at a very young age, out of fear that a war between Chile and Argentina was coming. Anyway, the song basically is a cry against the useless wars and oppression and to this day in Latin America it is sung as a strong opposition to social or political conflicts. I hope one day I can show this song to Chiara and she will learn that no matter what is going on in the world and how often she sees conflict, war, crime, violence, injustice we should NEVER EVER let ourselves become immune to it, because the day we do, this world will be left without hope. I chose to share these feelings and though in hopes of reminding all that no matter how helpless we feel or how far removed we are from problems, we are not to lose hope or stop caring, because even a simple thing as passing on hope, perseverance, and above all empathy to your kid can have long lasting impacts in someone else’s life. No matter how far fetched it seems, it's better to hope that it will, than believe all is lost.
Below are the lyrics and a youtube video of the song in English - interepreted by Outlandish.
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the suffering
That the very dried up death doesn't find me
Empty and without having given my everything
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the wars
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
People...people, people
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the injustice
That they do not slap my other cheek
After a claw has scratched my whole body
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the wars
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
People...people...people
Solo le pido a Dios
Que la guerra no me sea indiferente
Es un monstruo grande y pisa fuerte
Toda la pobre inocencia de la gente
Es un monstruo grande y pisa fuerte
Toda la pobre inocencia de la gente
People...people...people