Wow. This is going to be one of those weeks where instead of content spilling out of my brain, instead I am left with partial ideas based on a notion rather than research or coherent thoughts. I say this because I am watching around me as some of the best humans, I have ever known in my life are all putting their noses to the grindstone in order to build the future. Everywhere I look, every industry I can see.
The work has been quite intense, and I was honestly not imagining being able to return to this blog in a timely manner, as there is a lot of new foundation that still needs work. However, I knew that I had to stop and say something because I feel there is a sense of meaning that needs to be illuminated.
As I work there is a single thought within my head, the only thought that burns in my mind as everyone digs in deeper and deeper
We are rebuilding our village, we are rebuilding the future.
“The realization that life is absurd cannot be an end, but only a beginning”
– Albert Camus
It’s one thing to sheepishly admit defeat in the face of absurdity, it’s another to take on the perceived impossible with the hope of finding a new sense of meaning. In many ways, it’s an allegory for the “changing-of-the-guard” happening in real-time all around me. Both in my own community and in the nation at large.
A few weeks ago, Jeremy Boreing, the CEO and self-proclaimed “God-King” of the conservative media outlet The Daily Wire had a company-wide meeting, broadcasted on Youtube. Where he announced the future of their company.
Since I believe the best way to solve our current confusion is with a rise in a new culture, I was already quite ready to see what they had in store.
He began with many expected announcements such as the launch of Jeremy’s Razors, a conservative take on the cultural perception of “toxic masculinity” and other social stigmas in the shaving industry. A commercial that I think sort of set a flag on the ground for conservatives in the culture war. It came off to me as the nerdy kid who had been bullied returning with confidence. Although I imagine others in my generation may have a different set of optics on the subject. Either way, it’s not really my focus of the event.
Boreing went on to announce their new line of kids’ shows featuring the writing staff of the well-known “Veggie Tales” An animated children’s show, that uses biblical stories to try and teach moral lessons.
Not exactly my cup of tea growing up, but I can understand why they were so popular, as I witness videos on my own social media feed of 8-year-olds twerking to Fortnite clips. Call me old-fashioned, but I think I may prefer Veggie Tales.
When Boring made the announcement, he started by criticizing the old idiom “It takes a village to raise a child.” Proclaiming that it had been co-opted by institutions who want to teach children to hate conservative parents.
Though I would love to criticize this point, I can faintly hear a young woman chanting “Catch me Ousside How Bout Dah” and the adoration she received. That which gives me a rather grim view of much of the next generations to come, or at least the current majority. The worst part is, that all of you know exactly who I am talking about. A sad moment that led to a rather misguided career path.
In this same speech, Boreing announced the problem with the old saying. Refuting that we do not trust our village anymore. Claiming that it used to mean we could trust our fellow adults around us to help mold our youth into something worthwhile. But since we live in different realities, we have different sets of values. In his mind, the only way to correct this behavioral trend would be to reinvigorate Judeo-Christian culture. I have not been able to escape that thought, nor the mission behind it.
It takes a village to raise a child, but unfortunately, we do not trust our village to raise our kids correctly.
The fun part is, that I challenge you to define what correctly even means.
There is something to be said about the different beliefs and values we hold for our future as a society. While we may never agree on who’s vision is the correct one, we do all share certain collective goals that can be achieved through hard work and compassion with each other. While setting new expectations of what efforts we require to establish this future.
Not only that, but I actually believe we are firmly charting a path to success for future generations as well. As I watch unbelievable humans stake it all on the line. Chips all in, cards down where everyone can see them. Fully committed. Vulnerabilities bared to the world.
This right here, is what I think drives a lot of the people I know to dig in deeper than ever before, to build the village we want for our children and ourselves. A world worth living in. To encourage our kids to plant trees that provide shade that they may never enjoy themselves. A generation of children who understand the value of their work, and their impact on the world around them. A village that looks after each other and encourages growth and exploration of each of our full potential.
