Non-sense

I recently received an e-mail that had my blood boiling. Many of you have probably received it - the so-called statement made by Bill Cosby about being "76 and tired". Though the e-mail has been confirmed a hoax, it certainly has made the rounds. So here's my reply to "I'm 76 and tired". (You can read the "original" at http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/billcosby/a/I-Am-76-And-I-Am-Tired-By-Bill-Cosby.htm)

I'm 25 and I'm tired

I’m 25. I’ve worked hard to obtain an education and try to make a contribution to research and higher education. I, too, work long hours and never call in sick. I too, didn’t inherit my job or my income. But I do realize that, though I didn’t inherit my job or income, I inherited many opportunities. I did not get where I am alone. I have had parents, friends, family members and employers who were willing to take chances on me throughout my life. Given the state of the world, it looks as though few other people realize this and are thankful for it, as I am, and I’m tired. Very tired.

I’m tired of being told that people are not willing to “spread the wealth” because they are arrogant enough to believe in a thing such as a self-made man. I’m tired of people thinking that, if you’re poor, it’s because you are too lazy to earn money. It is an insult to the extremely hard working, honest people I know who perform back breaking labour for a pittance.

I’m tired of people thinking that any religion out there is, or ever has been, “a religion of peace.” Have Christians forgotten about the Crusades? The Spanish Inquisition? The way they have treated their own women through the ages? Most of all, I’m tired of these very people who claim to follow the “true” religion of peace, who use their faith as an excuse for not tolerating other cultures and religions, when the very founder of their faith that they claim to love above all ordered: “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? ."

I’m tired of people not being willing to lower their standards of living to fight global warming because they are arrogant enough to believe that their comfort is more important than the air I breathe. I’m tired of people fighting about “being allowed to debate” global warming, when scientists agree it’s a fact. 

I’m tired of people having no empathy for drug addicts, depression sufferers and people who self-harm because they refuse to see that the world they have created by their narrow minded focus on enriching themselves and then hoarding the wealth to themselves is indeed, a disease.

I too, am tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. What I am even more tired of, however, is this system in which we have allowed wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians – of all parties – to dominate our press and our lives to the extent that they do.

I’m also really tired of people who don’t take responsibility for their lives and actions. I’m tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination, or big-whatever for their problems. I’m even more tired, however, of people and governments who often are to blame and still don’t take responsibility for their part in creating our current realities. I’m tired of the church in South Africa, who still won’t apologise for condoning and actively participating in Apartheid.
I’m also tired and fed up with men and women in their teens and early 20’s and even 40’s who are self-righteous enough to criticise other people’s choice in what to do with their bodies, whether it be bedecking themselves in tattoos or face studs. I’m tired of the fact that we live in a society where having tattoos and face studs can make you “unemployable” – when will we finally stop judging our fellow human beings based on appearance, race or religious creed?

Yes, I’m damn tired. I’m especially tired of people who refuse to think for themselves, when a five minute fact check I ran after receiving the “Bill Cosby e-mail” revealed, in a statement from the man himself, that he is NOT the author of the e-mail. But I’m also glad to be 25. Because, mostly, I’m not going to stand by and allow this lack of sympathy, common sense, and respect for scientific fact. I’m young enough to make a difference. Thank God for that.