March 19, 2023
By Arthur H. Gunther III
There is indisputable evidence that despite each older generation claiming the young are going to hell in a hand basket, the truth is otherwise. Always has been.
Greed is in every generation. Some bad politicians are as well. Some “leaders” fail. Some dictate in horror. There are wars for profit, to feed racism, to dominate.
We seem to make progress at certain points in history – barbarism continues but is less; justice is served by the Nuremberg trials; minorities and others do approach equality.
But horrors also march on – in nations, in the environment, in communities, in individuals.
Yet, as with spring and the crocuses that bloom even in the red-bloodied fields of war, there are the sterling people who sacrifice life, limb and comfort to help others, to give hope. Many of these saviors of humankind are young, with fierce determination, a true sense of right and wrong, fighters against injustice.
It is the hope that such youth, often fighting against the odds, will continue in adulthood and seniorhood to keep the lamp lit.
There are more good people than not in this world though the thugs who seek fortune, power and ego-boosts bully their way onto the stage.
Remember, it is not just the performers at a concert but the people who write the music, open the curtains, bring you to your seats and even make sure the “stars” can do the gig.
Optimism is on the bill for me. I see it in the smiles, the frowns and the eyes of the young, however close the world is again heading to hell in a hand basket.
The writer is a retired newspaperman. ahgunther@yahoo.com
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