The Radicals of Today
6 May, 2008 by michaellucianojr
Though radical has taken on the meaning of being “far to the right” or “far to the left” one day it used to have this value as being extreme and valuable with its value as “changing at the roots” coming from “radix” which is Latin for “root.” It has since become such a cliché that it has almost no value at all. I feel that things used to mean something, and lately everything has razed to no meaning at all; no matter what you say now a day it has no values. People used to say something when they spoke, now conversation happens just to hear your own voice and feel better than others. I don’t like this.
Meeting with one of my professors today, we spoke about the campus in the 60s when people had something to get upset about, and they did—rightfully so! Well, in the 60s they had a speaker at graduation so radical and controversial that the school wanted no part in having him as the guest speaker, I wish I could remember his name now! I had it in my head say 5 minutes ago; well it’s beside the point! He was so controversial the school wouldn’t even send someone to pick him up to come to the graduation and some of the seniors went and picked him up.
Now a days you see nothing of that sort on our campus, or on any campus—at least that I’ve seen. I’m sure radicals are alive and well somewhere, but we need youths who will rise up and do something.
I feel that people feel hopeless, and would rather nonchalantly act disconnected from the realities. People would rather sound intelligent in “their” views than actually have real views. So many people lack any interest in their rights and when they deserve something more than what they have.
This is me calling out everyone of my generation, and offering them a challenge!
I want to see everyone of my generation to pick up some true writing, something more than a Harry Potter or a Newsweek. To read it, and to feel something, anything, and just tell someone about it. Hopefully that small strike of the match will ignite something inside of you. We are all guilty of not pursuing our beliefs and sometimes you must!
Even if your views seem illogical, they’re your views. Fideism isn’t too outrageous to allow it to be part of your life. Faith is strong.
Thank you,
Michael
