Things Ruining and Restoring My Faith in Humanity

I've been really disappointed with the state of the world this week. It was just one thing after another, with all the hatred and misogyny and racism in the world front and center, and it made me feel heartsick. I can't get over it. I know the world is not a fair place to women, or to people of other races; it's never more obvious than when we stand up and complain about the status quo. I shouldn't be surprised. I'm just so ... disappointed.

I'm disappointed by the disgusting, hateful responses comedian Lindy West got when she engaged in a very reasonable debate about how words can affect people, and why comedians should think before they tell rape jokes.

YES. Yes yes yes. From the comments on this article.

I'm disappointed that society actually believes — and can yap on and on about — how children are worse off if their mothers are part of the workforce, instead of focusing on helping the children who might actually be worse off, like those who are homeless, those whose parents are addicts, those growing up in the foster system, those who are illiterate, those who have been abused. Your mom works? Please. You'll be fine.

I'm disappointed that so many people had a problem with a new Cheerios commercial because it featured a bi-racial child, her white mother and her black father. The outrage was bad enough that General Mills requested that the comments be turned off on YouTube.

But not everything this week has been awful. My dad told me a few weeks ago that he believes the world is a terrible place because everyone in it is terrible. I disagreed with him and told him that I thought the world was going to be okay, because when bad things happen there are always people to rally for good, and to stand up for others. I still don't know who's right; maybe we're both a little right. But proving my case this week...

General Mills refused to stop running that Cheerios ad, even though people were mad about it. I commend them for that.

There was the comedian who admitted that she used to tell rape jokes — and why she won't ever do it again. More people could benefit from thinking before they speak.

Sir Patrick Stewart spoke to a group of students about why domestic violence — or any other type of violence — is never the fault of the victim, and is never okay.

Sorry for such a heavy post on a Friday, but these things have been bugging me all week, and I didn't have a better way of getting them off my chest. I'd love to hear what restores your faith in humanity, though. Let's finish the week on a positive note.