To preface this post please let me say that I am not a sociologist. These are merely my opinions on blame and the effect it has on society today.
For the past year I have been struggling with the concept of “Blame” in the United States. It has consumed our country. It is front and center in everything that happens. We keep seeing tragedy in the news. Whether a mass shooting or immigration issues, our immediate reaction is whose fault is it? This is messed up.
Sure, blame gives us a sense of closure. Blame gives us an answer to why bad things happen; but blame will never ever solve a problem. Blame, on the other hand, does cause more problems. You see, blame divides us. Blame puts us in a position of choosing sides. In mass shootings we can sit and debate about whether guns are to blame or whether the shooter’s mental heath is to blame. Well, in reality, it’s not that simple. Life isn’t black and white; while blame is. Sure maybe it makes us feel better, but we are wasting our time and energy on trying to pin an action on something or someone’s shoulders.
Blame is retroactive. Blame focuses on the past instead of the future. We need to stop wasting our time on trying to figure out who is at fault. Because no matter how hard we focus on fault, we cannot go back and change what happened. Blame is a roadblock to making actual change.
Blame and judgement lead to fear. Fear causes division. Division causes a crumbling foundation to unity. We are not united. We are more divided than ever. Currently our country is denying human rights to individuals, and we are spending more time figuring out who to blame over immigration issues. Forget what you think about immigration. We are all human. Don’t let blame get in the was of denying rights to humans.
Blame and disagreement are not the same. Disagreement is not malicious. Disagreement does not ask for persecution. Disagreement does not strip us of our right to be human. Please stop searching for blame and search for solutions and compromise. If you don’t agree with something; agree to disagree. The blame game has gone too far and I am sick of it.