ig·no·rance
‘ign?r?ns/
noun
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lack of knowledge or information.
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“he acted in ignorance of basic procedures”
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As I travel I have noticed many disturbing things in the world. Among the most troubling issues I’ve encountered is the deep-seated ignorance of my own people. It’s staggering. I love my country; don’t get me wrong. I love my people. And I most certainly, personally know plenty of knowledgeable, savvy Americans. I am making a generalized statement about our overall society.
America was the first country in history to be founded purely and entirely for the purpose of freedom. The people who established this country did it mainly for religious freedom, making it clear that they were, themselves religious. Christian. God was welcome in the creation of this country like no other place on earth. Figuratively speaking, America became one of the world’s leading superpowers overnight. I personally believe that this is a direct result of the allowance of God’s hand in the building of these states.
The USA is a land of incomparable freedom, comfort, and luxury. Even our homeless are better off than the homeless I’ve seen and met in other countries. (and note that people out here are disbelieving when told that America even HAS poor or homeless people) My homeland is so very blessed.
Blessed. Not ‘lucky.’ Not randomly successful. Blessed.
And yet the younger generations have grown so comfortable, so addicted to luxury, that there is no comprehension of reality. They are no longer required to actually LEARN in school and, therefore; in many cases, are rather poorly educated. They have been given no one to be grateful to, and so, have become ungrateful and suffer a disgusting entitlement complex.
But saddest of all; the young people of America seem to suffer an overall lack of the greatest teachers of all: experience and pursuit of knowledge. They don’t read. They don’t go out and experience the world. Even if they do travel, it’s limited to resorts and tourist areas. I have now seen the difference between tourist areas and actually SEEING a country; no comparison.
You will know so very much about a person by the questions they ask. I’ve heard the questions of my own people, and now compared them to the questions of international peoples. Our questions are simple, light, and quite often, clearly ignorant in a way that is almost embarrassing.
I just had a conversation with an Aussie that put all of this into sharp clarity for me. He knew more about my own country’s history (conversationally) off the top of his head than I do if I search my memory hard. And yet, I’ve often felt that I have more well-rounded education than the average American I meet. Not to sound boastful, I more often than not feel like I know nothing; there’s just an over-abundance of folks who know even less than that. And now that I’m encountering the rest of the world’s peoples, it’s looking rather grim for us.
How often have you heard Americans accused of being arrogant? We aren’t arrogant at all! At least no more than anyplace else. We are simply ignorant! We don’t know, we don’t understand, we don’t experience. How can we possibly grow without these precious tools? And what doesn’t grow, dies.
What can be done about this? I have no idea. It troubles me deeply. What does one do to change a country?!
But then:
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”
-by Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.
This has been one of my favorite quotes for a long time now.
Do you know? One of the reasons I always wanted to travel the world so much was because every person I met who had traveled internationally, had something I wanted. I couldn’t even quite put my finger on it. There was something just more about them. Experience, understanding of a different nature. I’m starting to see it. I hope I’m starting to adapt it. I want to change myself. I’ve also made the decision to read more. To read BETTER.
Will you do anything to change your country? There is only one way; though it may be more daunting than changing the very world: you must first change yourself. I’m traveling and reading. In time, I will apply these to future projects God has in store for me.
What will you do? I beg you; do something!
