As an inner-city, minority, moderate Republican, you can only imagine what kind of flak I endure from my friends (most of whom are fairly devoted to the Chicago Democratic Machine).
Growing up in a gang and drug-infested neighborhood, I came to despise my Democratic precinct because I always felt their support protected the rights of perpetrators instead of victims.
Do I despise my precinct today? No... However, I know better than to depend on them for any assistance in my community. Like any other typical member of the male species, I've always believed that if you want something done right, you might as well do it yourself because no one will do it as well as you, anyway.
I especially believe that when it comes to education, employment and overall community improvement.
If you ever get the opportunity, search online for books, essays and historical perspectives written by incarcerated or ex-gang-bangers. They're quite entertaining... They have this special way of blaming everyone else for their criminal actions, instead of blaming themselves. You'll also become amazed at how these gang-bangers will do anything to exemplify their manhood but yet, still cannot be man enough to truthfully look at themselves in the mirror.
My understanding is that I owe them. For what reason, I have absolutely no idea. I guess I'll just have to try and live with the guilt of knowing that I am personally responsible for their lot in life...
Unfortunately, this kind of thinking is not limited to street gangs. Apparently, there are many men and women in our society who feel cheated, as well.
Now, this is NOT a political, apologist article specifically designed to vote one way or the other. Regardless of party or creed, this article is about personal responsibility, and how those who seem to make the most demands usually seem to make the least contributions.
A perfect example is the infamous Iraq War Rally several years ago in Chicago. Thousands of people protesting the war (Many of them privileged college students) decided it would be a great idea to march and block traffic on Lake Shore Drive.
Do I support the war? Of course not. Does that entitle me to prevent a working-class, single parent from getting home on time to tend to his/her family? Definitely not.
When I contacted the rally organizers to help me plan a similar march on Chicago's West Side to protest the murder of a ten-year-old girl caught in gang crossfire, no one called or emailed me back...
I figured since the drug war was closer to home, I might be able to assist the local ministries with the same kind of publicity of a large rally. That just made me think that the Iraq War Rally was just a political stunt by college students to grab some cheap headlines.
This does not mean that I do not care what college students think. However, I must admit that I do care more about what their parents think, considering they're the ones who have more of a financial stake in this country (and a financial stake in their children). I suppose it's always easier to spend money that's not yours to begin with.
My point is positive change is accomplished by those who show up. Protest rallies pale in comparison to volunteer work. Want to make a difference? Show up at the polls, donate clothes you don't wear anymore, donate canned goods to a soup kitchen, be a Big Brother or Big Sister, coach Little League, tutor high school kids, do something, ANYTHING besides blaming others or stopping traffic.
And if you disapprove of our leaders' actions, vote them out. Or better yet, protest at their respective offices and prevent THEM from driving home, instead of the poor, unsuspecting person just finishing up a work day...
