Bleeding Hearts Are "In"

Non-profits are springing up like weeds. Or maybe they're just coming to light. . . Either way, the U.S. of A. seems to be on a mission to make the world a better place, or is that just the pretty slogan we like to wear across our t-shirts?

The environmental movement got things going several years ago. Those groups alone have been quick to place the environment above the importance of human beings, by the way. Many of my peers, if not all of my peers, have latched onto this movement with a death grip as well as being huge supporters of homosexuals.

By no means am I putting down either of these causes. The Earth should obviously be protected, but I don't believe the state of things is as terrible as some people say. We should also not discriminate against gays, but redefining marriage is a rather drastic undertaking. My point is that young people need to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. Look at the 60s and the Vietnam War. Whether you were against the war or supporting it, no one really knew what was going on. Has anything changed since then? I see t-shirts for Darfur, for suicide prevention, for homosexual awareness, and for the planet, but many times the shirt is the most that that person is willing to do for the cause. Perhaps they simply don't know how to help.

At any rate, I fear that our obsession with doing good is just an extension of our long-lived goal: making ourselves feel better. Kids are flocking to a cause because everyone else is. Celebrities are doing plugs for charities, social media sites make it easy to show others how wonderful you are by "liking" a non-profit, and beloved characters in movies and on television are often the non-conformist weirdo.

In simple terms, being weird is hip. Not everyone is taking the bait. After all, someone has to represent the jocks and cheerleaders, but everyone else wants in on the trend. The effect is a bunch of empty suits waiting to be recognized for their non-existent efforts to put an end to [human trafficking/discrimination/pollution/eating disorders/low self-esteem/ignorance].

This isn't a criticism as much as it is a call to arms. If you're gonna stand for something, stand up and be ready to fight to the death for it if need be! Forget how great you look in Project RED shoes and take 5 minutes to find out if there is a way to volunteer. This isn't a parade for displaying your knowledge of the downfalls of society. Earn your colors.