Virtue

Merit. Morals. Morality. Strength. Courage. Standards. All of these words come to mind when I think of virtue. My imagination takes me to the time of Ladies and Lords, a time when chivalry was the norm. The four classic cardinal virtues are temperance, prudence, courage, and justice. Christianity derives the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love from 1 Corinthians. Love being the greatest of these. What virtues do we esteem? Do we still have morals and standards or is chaos the norm? Do we not respect each other? Have we lost our virtue? Has it slipped away from us under the guise of being politically correct? How do we get it back? 

"Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all." -Gilbert K. Chesterton

New Normal

New Normal is a term in business and economics that refers to financial conditions following the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the aftermath of the 2008–2012 global recession. The term has since been used in a variety of other contexts to imply that something which was previously abnormal has become commonplace.

What's your new normal? What is America's new normal? I remember when profanity was not a commonplace for primetime tv. I remember when songs had clean versions not just radio edits. I remember when games were criticized for excessive violence. I remember when rap music was the subject of congressional hearings. I remember when social meant human interaction. I remember when "live entertainment" did not include being a witness to murder and police brutality. Our new normal has desensitized us. Our new normal doesn't value life. Our new normal doesn't value family. Our new normal doesn't celebrate our differences. Our new normal is fear. Our new normal has created no expectation of justice. Our new normal is depression. Our new normal is violence. Our new normal is distraction. Our new normal is self destruction.

Just

To be just has taken on a drastically different meaning since I have gotten married. It is no longer about who's wrong or who's right. Fair is no longer the moral standard. Compromise supersedes fairness. Humility trumps being right. Silence in some cases has become my portion. God is my judge and prayer is the jury. To be just is not just about justice, but inclusive of God's grace and mercy. Thank God that we do not have to suffer all of the consequences of our actions. Thank God for the grace of God. Thank God that he is just and forgiving, and merciful, and mindful.

Justice

It seems that the old adage, "what happens in the dark will come to light," is ringing true now more than ever. The past indiscretions of Hollywood executives, politicians, and other men in power is finally coming into the light. Women are coming forward about things that had been brushed under rugs and whispered about in back rooms. They are not just living their truth, but telling it as well. I applaud their efforts, but I wonder if they will ever have justice. I wonder if a slap on the wrist in an all boy's club will be enough. What does justice look like for these women?What does justice look like for the victims that never made headlines? What does justice look like for all the colored girls who considered suicide? What does justice look like for victims long buried?  
 

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against."- Malcolm X