The Why of D-Day

D-Day; seventy-two years ago today, twenty-nine years before I was born. They didn't complain. They didn't wine about hurt feelings. They volunteered, fought, and in far too many instances, died without question. It was their duty; not one imposed upon them, but one self-instilled with pride.  Few times in history has America's youth, and they were young, faced such adversity. Yet faced it they did, with unwavering devotion to their country and the notion of freedom. As a friend of mine succinctly put it this morning, "there were no participation trophies on Omaha Beach." They were indeed the Greatest Generation. And now, here we are, seventy-two years later, whining and complaining about hurt feelings and who gets to use what bathroom at Target.

 

What. The. Hell. Happened?

 

I'll tell you what's happened; we as a nation have taken for granted the bravery and sacrifice of those before us. We expect, rather than earn. We desire instead of deserve. We've forgotten the price paid for our liberty. We bathe in our own ignorance for no other reason than because we can.

 

I have no doubt that those that perished in France on this day so many years ago would examine the current state of our society and shake their heads, wondering why, why they sacrificed themselves only to have college kids need safe zones to protect their feelings; to witness politicians actively attempt to lessen or prevent the rights and liberties from which all Americans should benefit – those rights and liberties for which they gave their lives.

 

I've used words like bravery, dedication and sacrifice in referring to the Greatest Generation, but there is perhaps one word that most appropriately applies; accountability. They had a job, and they did it. They didn't lay blame, they accepted responsibility. And now here we are, accusing others of causing our distress, refusing to acknowledge that the fault is our own.

 

Do we need "safe zones" on college campuses to protect students from emotional distress? Absolutely, emphatically, no. People are going to say hurtful things. People will be insensitive. Is it right? No. But do you need to be sheltered from the possibility? No. You need not excuse the ignorant behavior of others, but you can't run away from it, either. It's going to happen. And we can make a collective effort to eradicate such behavior, but safe zones? Come on. That doesn't address the issue; that's hiding from it. That's pretending that the homework assignment doesn't exist because you left it in your book bag. That's leaving the laundry in the dryer instead of folding it. That's running away from adversity instead of facing it, and dealing with it.

 

Those men and women didn't die so you could take advantage, they died so that you achieve, and achievement requires effort.

 

They gave you opportunity, not entitlement.

 

Our politicians are no better. Blame this one for that, and the other for something else. Make mockeries of issues because you're pandering to and perpetuating ignorance. I dare, dare, any politician to stand up and say "You have a problem with gay marriage? Tough shit. Millions over the course of our history gave their lives so that all Americans can share the same freedoms. I'm not going to curtain those freedoms because of your homophobic idiocy." Or how about saying to those that want to ban all guns "we have a right to bear arms. While it should be reasonably regulated, it shall not be abolished. So stop asking."

 

But they won't. Because they take their positions for granted as much as we take our freedoms for granted. And thus perpetuates the cycle.

 

As much as I dare politicians to act responsibly, I dare each citizen to do the same. I challenge you to say "I don't like Trump, but he has the same right to free speech that I have."   

 

"I may not understand homosexuality, but I'm not going to argue against your right to marry."

 

"I may not share your religious beliefs, but I'm not going to urge their suppression or encourage a government based on my own."

 

"I hate guns, but I will support your right to keep yours."

 

"You want to call me names? Fine. Go ahead. I'm not going to run to a safe zone; I'm going to smile and pity your pathetic small-mindedness, but it’s a reflection on you, not me."

 

Seventy-two years ago today a great sacrifice was made so that we would never have to give up the freedoms to which we've grown accustomed.

 

Let's start acting like we've earned them.  

 

 

© 2016 J.J. Goodman. All rights reserved.