Media headlines are designed to evoke our emotions. This week I have been asking people if the recent events (the Dallas shooting in particular) has made them angry or sad.
When you first heard about the Dallas sniper that shot and killed five police officers, what was your initial reaction? For me, it was grief, sadness, and a touch of bewilderment.
Based on feedback from many people, I think this was a common reaction. In fact, not a single person told me their first reaction was anger. Yet it seems the media is always able to capture a feeling of anger.
My prayers are with the victims, and families of this tragic incident. We will never understand why it happened. But because of our media, we can be sure that it will be repeated. There will be someone else that steps forward to copy this crime.
I wish our freedom of the press was used for better purposes.
I encourage you to evaluate all situations not only from the perspective of others and the media, but from your own perspective. What is the true emotion that comes from within, not planted by someone else? Our world needs empathy, not anger.