We all have things in our past that have affected our lives in some kind of way. Whether it was starting a relationship, making a new friend, taking on a tough class, committing to attend a school, leaving home, or whatever it may have been, the actions in the past have had some impact on ourselves or those around us. We've lived and we've learned; we've made good decisions and bad choices; we learned from the mistakes we made in the past and have continued on with our lives. Overall, these things are what helped shape who we are today. But have we really learned from the past?
It seems in cases where we have tried to overcome some kind of adversity, trial, problem, or issue in the past to ensure a better future, we seem to take 2 steps forward and 5 steps back. For example, two huge issues that are usually a hot topic for debate is racism and prejudice in society today. When we come in contact with others, we have the tendency to judge them based on what we see. This is a problem that dates back in history to even when Jamestown was built. We all do it. But who gave us the right to? Who are we to pass judgement on others? Maybe the only way that woman we see on the corner is able to feed her kids is by selling her body. Maybe the guy asking for change outside of 711 just got released from prison for a crime he was accused of but didn't commit. In the case of racism, there have been numerous civil rights leaders, activists, motivational speakers, etc. who have all fought and risked their lives to help build a more positive and equal society for the future generation (which is us). Their battles have made a huge difference in the world today, in many different regards. However, racism is still a problem to this day. And the thing is, its not just a black and white debate anymore. There are other races, cultures, and religions that all face the same struggle. After the 9/11 incident, many people act very cautious around individuals who have a certain look, as if they were a terrorist, whether it was on public transport or even working with them. People talk wrongly against and about those of Hispanic descent because their families wanted to come here to have a better opportunity for their families and themselves. Look back even to Biblical times, when Jesus Christ was spreading God's word to the people, and people who associated with him were ostracized from the community. One common thing in all these instances is that it always started with one person, and then others following suite because rather than make their own judgement, they decide to let others think for them. That is what has led to countless issues in the world, from putting people in bondage, to almost wiping out entire races of people.
The examples of racism and prejudice are just two things in the past that still seem to be present in the world today. There are numerous others, like getting over bad habits. The point I'm trying to make is that even though we try to convince ourselves that we have overcome something in our past, in a lot of cases, we don't. Sad but true. And the only way we can grow and prosper as people is if we are able to actually overcome our past adversities. If we can't overcome our pasts, we won't be able to face the future. What if the future generation (after us) makes the same mistakes we did? Will this world ever grow? We should be helping shape a better tomorrow. But how do we accomplish this? I can't say so for sure, because I don't have the answer. A good start may be thinking for ourselves, and using good judgement to make the right choices. Take that one good action to make another. Start a chain reaction, and let those good decisions affect others in positive ways. Maybe then we can get on the right track to ending this cycle of mistakes.
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