Monday, September 8, 2014

One Million Deaths and Not So Much as an Obit

   One million deaths a year, and instead of talking about them, we talk about Ferguson, Missouri. Now, Ferguson, too, is important, and should be talked about, but what of these million?
   One million deaths a year, but we speak instead of Israel and Gaza, of mass murders, and of child immigrants at the southern border. We speak of Iraq and Syria. We speak of Ebola and earthquakes and hurricanes. Important things, all, but what of the one million?
   Tell me, if one million die each year, is that not news -- front-page news? Are these lives of no consequence, that their deaths do not make news? Of the million, I doubt so much as a one of them had an obituary in the newspaper, and not a one had a funeral, I would guess.
   Not a one.
   You tell me if their lives are of value. Or, do we say they have no right to even live? Do we say, To begin with, you have no right to life. And, secondly, when we take your lives, we are not even going to  pause with a tear. We will not so much as recognize that you ever lived. No flowers, no casket, no honor, no memorial, nor tribute -- nothing, not even a kind word of respect. Perhaps we will find a garbage bin for your body.
   If something has no value, it does not make the news. Move along, as they say, move along. No news here.
   I fear, though, that by our not giving it value, we reveal our own lack of values.

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