Quote to think about.

[Sawin]

Addison Gayle, Jr.

"Power comes not from the barrel of a gun, but from one's awareness of his or her own cultural strength and the unlimited capacity to empathize with, feel for, care, and love one's brothers and sisters"

For the sake of wasting time, let's break this quote down and analyze each part.

"Power comes not from the barrel of a gun" - Well, yes. I can actually agree with that. The power comes from the man with his finger on the trigger, good power or bad. It's his power, not the bullets' and not the guns'. Maybe he's a tyrant or a criminal? Or maybe he's an innocent lawful man, protecting himself and family from that tyrant or criminal? It truly doesn't matter.

"but from one's awareness of...cultural strength" - I think all cultures have strengths and weakness, derived from the community that defines that culture. That being said, right now the USA is sorely lacking any true overarching "culture". Take for instance Japan, who's on the opposite end of the spectrum from us. Japan's culture is very pronounced and fundamental to the identity and portrayal of their country. We in the USA are the epitome of a "melting pot" that some seem to value above all else, but in that pot, the USA has lost touch of what brings us together. We've lost the foundation. I contend we are no longer "together" as a culture and a country. We are a diverse group of many different cultures, from many countries, each trying to stake their own claim on what it means to be American. This does not work. Separation and subversion follows. To regain strength and unity for all Americans, we must work to define that overarching culture that everyone in the USA wishes (and is proud) to be a part of.... What is that and how do we define it? I can't answer that, but I tend to think it's freedom... and we're losing it, one freedom at a time.

"and the unlimited capacity to empathize with, feel for, care, and love one's brothers and sisters" - I'm leaving this together as a complete thought, although it could be divided, I'm sure.... firstly, all aspects of being human are confined by limitations... we do not have the unlimited capacity for anything. Think about that for a minute if you believe an example of unlimited capacity for something exists. Does it really? Under any circumstance? Please reply and convince me... Empathizing with others is very natural, and is far easier toward those we "feel for, care, and love". ie. Family and friends, those we can relate to, our neighbors and colleagues, anyone we have something in common with or recognizable circumstances, that they cannot control... We empathize as civilized people. I believe that is innate. In times of turmoil or emergency, a lot of people still come together to the aid of others. Nevertheless, action from that empathy is sorely lacking. All this being said, with the previously alluded to "separation and subversion" being present, and the complete lack of an overarching culture that we can all be proud of, the typical American does not feel that everyone around them is their "brother and sister", anymore.