SHILLO: I don’t care attitude hurting America, For Immediate Release, 10-27-07

I don’t care attitude hurting America

By Saffiya Shillo – The increase of “I don’t care” in America is one of the most serious problems we face. Everywhere you look these days people just don’t care. They don’t seem to understand accountability or respect. Role models and mentors are few and far between. You might get great service at a high end outfit, but if you’re not sporting the right look or clothing, you’ll get that look, “waste of time.” Money talks and that’s a major downfall too. Everyone understands and respects money.

Money gets results—no care necessary. It was astounding to hear how the fires in California unmasked that as well. A couple living on the path of the fire were interviewed on a cable news network. They paid an alternative for-profit firefighting outfit to come and spray their property with fire-resistant foam. Their property escaped without a scorch mark while surrounding properties burned to the ground. It seems confidence in federal, state or local government—or insurance companies, doesn’t exist. People are not satisfied or properly serviced by their tax dollars, so they pay extra—if they can. Otherwise, no one really cares.

Screeners at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport failed to detect fake explosive devices planted in luggage about 60% of the time and at Los Angeles International Airport 75% of the time. Fortunately, at San Francisco’s International Airport only 20% got through. Is anyone asking why? Shouldn’t there be some serious concern, especially with all the delays and restrictions applied to airport travel. Who cares?

The most frightening indifference, I believe, is taking place in Chicago’s community college system. I see it first hand everyday as I attend classes at a local community college. I am in total shock. It is troubling to see such rampant abuse and waste of time, on the part of administrators, students and instructors, not to mention the federal and private funding that goes down the drain. Not many are learning. They are just passing through the halls. Teachers give up or play god because they can. It’s a sham. While there are some teachers, counselors and students there for the right reasons, it seems to me that the majority are missing the boat. No one cares on either end. They just give up and give in to the failures. If you speak up, you’re usually sorry you did.

This “I don’t care attitude” is hurting America and Americans. If no one cares to hold people accountable for what they are suppose to do, no one will get anything done. And, when the few that challenge the “I don’t care mindset” are vocal; they are immediately shunned, labeled trouble and ridiculed. Take for example, Cindy Sheehan, a woman that lost her son in Iraq and voiced her concern. She tried to ask the man responsible and accountable why her son had to be sent to die in a smoke-screened search for weapons of mass destruction; why her son was sent to occupy a sovereign country that posed no threat to America. She was picked on and discredited more than she was given respect for the ultimate loss she took and the valid questions she asked. Her disenchantment with the lip service paid by the “I don’t really care” nation ultimately ended in her bowing out. Who can blame her?

Sometimes you just have to shake your head at what people do care about or what they think we are suppose to care about. News editors offer more time to reports on the latest escapades of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton than the really serious matters affecting our country, lives and futures. Don’t they really care?

(Saffiya Shillo is a peace activist, domestic violence/sexual assault consultant and cultural sensitivity trainer on Muslim/Arab issues. Copyright Arab Writers Group www.ArabWritersGroup.com.)