Risk

Social norms have always impacted the way humans live their life. If society discourages us from getting involved in social activism, we do so, so as not to be considered someone who strays from normalcy. But how is ignoring what is going on around you considered to be normalcy? Just like the previous chapter said, if we are not homeless then we will ignore the fact that someone else is homeless. We become more and more self-centered each and every day. We distance ourselves from the suffering of others because we would rather believe that it is their fault they are homeless or that at least it isn't me. As long as we are complacent, why bother caring about others? This is the mentality that is diminishing the hope and desire to help others for the few who care in society. Through America's cynicism we are convinced that no matter what we do we will not make a difference.

Not getting involved could be compared to self-destructive behavior in my opinion. Standing back and watching is just as destructive as ignoring what is happening and becoming detached. We must not be afraid to take that extra step and try to be the difference we want to see in the world. We are too scared to take risks so we wait for someone else to say something and if they don't then we just go along with our life. We are becoming too comfortable in this self-consuming life style. Why don't we take the risks to be what we want if we are so self-consumed?

I don't understand why we don't want to take risks and act on our dreams. Why not do what we are passionate about? It is hard to see that society can have that big of an impact on people. It has affected me because when people say you can't do something you eventually start to believe them. But I am a person who does not like to give up. Soccer has made me competitive and strong both mentally and physically and I will achieve my dreams and I will do what I love because I will not let someone else be in charge of where my life is going. I love to give to others and can't imagine not being in S.L.I.C.E. now that I am in the program. Many things keep us from getting involved in helping, but don't let those things be other people or your embarrassment to get out there and help.

It is absolutely shocking and overwhelming to read the statistics of the gap between the rich and the poor, the chances of overcoming poverty, the amount of prison mates we have here in America, and looking at this as a comparison to other countries. What happened to the so called "American Dream" or did that ever truly exist. We all hide behind a facade trying to escape reality. However, this is what is causing the problems to become more and more chaotic, almost to the point of not being able to change. Once again there is the negative mentality that we have gone too far to try and change now. If anything by turning all the negativity into positive energy we may be able to change people's outlooks. We need to start now and make changes before it ultimately is too late.