The other week I was readin the Big Ben's article on Racism here at Magic City and it made be realise a few things about which I will be writing by and by. A few days later I had an email from that charming Martha Stevens-David who writes those lovely stories about all the things that have happened in her life.
In that email she made a wee mention of the fact that readers never bother to write to show their appreciation of the articles that we writers write. As I was thinkin about that fact, I saw a connection with what Mr. BenDedek wrote about in his article on Racism.
He made a statement that went somethin like 'The media don't like the truth to stand in the way of a good story'. And ain't that the truth now. But the thing of it is, is that good news, good stories, nice comments, have never as much appeal as good old fashion 'dirt' and nastiness.
People would rather write to a columnist complainin about somethin that he or she has written, than send a wee note saying how much the story or whatever was appreciated, or how it did them some good.
Likewise, people are never interested in reading in the news or seein on the telly how some people have been blessed by some event, or saved from some tragedy; they would rather see the blood and guts. It makes you wonder what sort of creatures we humans really are.
Let's face it, how often do you hear folk runnin around saying 'nice' things about everyone in the local community? Sure it is that ye be most likely to be hearin all those nasty snippets of gossip about everyone from the Lord Mayor down to the street sweeper. And most of the time it is that we have no care whether the gossip be fact or fiction, as long as the gossip is juicy enough to entertain us for a wee while.
I'm sure that I have written somewhere that me Ma and Da were ones never to allow us kiddies to be telling the gossipy tales we heard hither and yon. It was a quick clip across the back of the head if we did. Of course today they would be considered child abusers by them that thinks they know more that all the wisdom of history combined.
In advertising, as anyone in the business will tell you, it is not the 99 recommendations that have the major impact upon prospective buyers, but that well timed and well placed nasty or otherwise negative comment about the product, the company or it's representatives. For some reason, we put more faith in the negative than trust the positive.
It's an admirable thing indeed when various educational programs are initiated to encourage altruistic or otherwise 'positive attitudes and behaviors' in society, but it seems to me that our natures, given their bent for the negative, much more prefer the path of selfishness and uncharitable attitudes and talk.
There's an old adage that goes: 'If you can't say nothin good, then say nothin at all', and I'm sure there are plenty of people who follow this sage advice, but wouldn't it be lovely if we added a little something to the ending and made a real contribution to peace and harmony in our community.
Perhaps we could lengthen the saying to: 'If you can't say nothin good, then say nothin at all - but always try to say something good just the same!'
Wouldn't that be nice to be constantly hearing people saying absolutely wonderful things about everyone in the community? Wouldn't it make you feel that you belong to a wonderful place?
Certainly much better than the fear we be constantly instillin into the kiddies now wouldn't it!
May your life's tears be only those of joy, and may you always be a shining light in your community.
John J. (Jack) Walsh
John J. Walsh, a Catholic, is originally from Ireland; went to high school and university in Australia, and later moved to the U.S.A. He lives in the Midwest and is married to an American. He now has a lot of time on his hands and is taking the opportunity to see some of his musings in print. Fearing the hot blooded protestants and not wanting to reach heaven or hell faster than is God's plan, his personal email address and other particulars are not available for publication. You may however Email him at: johnjwalsh-magic @live.com
