Roman Empire
“I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.”. This quote is taken from the book of "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. He was the last of the five great Roman Emperors. "Mediations" is quite the fantastic read and I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to expand their ability to process thoughts, ideas, and notions critically. I also felt it fitting for this photograph and for what would be more of an editorial than a story, though the person in this capture can easily represent the average Joe Smith of his generation. To me, there is a comfort and a pang of sadness in this fact. This young man was more intrigued by my tattoos and sidearm than he was in hearing my words. In the vacancy for his gaze I could see that he didn't grasp my final statement "My friend, I am the exception to most rules.”
In my adult life, I have never known more divisiveness within our country. The country onto which I was born. This country that I would gladly lay down my life to defend her from a hostile act, from anyone. This country that I love more than myself or my children. It fills me with a great despair to be so fearful of her future. I stopped watching the news quite some time ago and have consciously made a choice to read this information instead. Conservative and liberal outlets alike, garnering an overall scope of the agendas both sides attempt to employ. Even now, I tremble when I do so, knowing that word after word will more than likely nauseate me, infuriate me because of their reckless abandon to any assimilation to what the truth is. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”, Marcus Aurelius. I know many would argue this philosophical concept and that is okay, you are entitled to your opinion, and I welcome any honest discussion on the subject.
In this country, we have leaders that have gained their positions with a unity of voice, a voice that we should not undermine. These so called leaders refuse to truly lead our people to greatness with courage, strength or conviction. These leaders are not respected by the population. Instead, they are mocked and emasculated for their actions and apparent lack of self-respect and caring, not only for themselves but for the people to whom the hope to rule. Conversely, we have individuals who hoped to lead our nation and lost by a unity of voice. These would-be politicians are as much to blame for our current state of unrest. They denounce their culpability for their losses, focusing the blame on those around them. Instead of supporting our leaders in hopes of success, they preach, what some could consider, treasonous action in hopes of our leaders’ failure. Both factions so desperate for glory in the name of pride and neither faction knowing how to be the worthy of honor and respected greatness.
My friends, do not be passive spectators any longer. Stand up and critically voice your thoughts. Do not be afraid to speak the truth in the simplest of terms so those around you can understand. Be that first stone in the creation of the harbor that holds the ships in safety from the storm. Before you criticize another, be critical of yourselves. The person in this photograph represents the dichotomy within us all. He is the looking glass that we created to see ourselves in. It is our duty to find, once again, and preserve a state of equanimity. If we are to survive as a nation, this should be our new mandate.
Marcus Aurelius died in 180 A.D. and immediately the Roman empire plunged into chaos. In less than 300 years, the Roman Empire was no longer. Conquered by a Germanic leader by the name of Odoacer. It was the treachery of man that caused this, the constant infighting and squabbling for power, greed, and corruption. Its emperors stopped thinking of their people and became more concerned about themselves. I believe our last great leader was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He served as our President from 1933-1945 and paved the way for our nation to be great once again. Regarded by most scholars as one of our three greatest presidents. Sharing this honor with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Now here we are, 72 years later and kiss my grits if history isn’t repeating itself. All my closest friend know I have said it for years, we are the modern day Roman Empire. We are on a steady if not exponential, decline to ruin, yet we have the power to stop this from happening. The greatest of all Greek tragedies is we refuse to use it.