Journal 4: Championship Parades Not All That

Giant's Celebration Parade, Courtesy of Katie Baker/Grantland

I don't know what it is, but it seems in times like today, children are growing up differently than before.  Years ago, children wouldn't think twice about helping out their mother or father or saying please and thank you.  Today, it seems that many children do not respect their elders, or anyone around them for that matter.  After reading this article, "Stoners, Segways, and Some Horrible, Horrible Nudity" by Katie Baker, about the championship parade, it surprised me how rude some people have become, or maybe how rude they have always been.  

The first thing that stuck out to me was when two young boys climbed up on top of a storefront to sit and watch the parade.  The lady that owned the building was yelling out the window at the two young boys telling them to get down.  They sat there and acted like they didn't even hear her, more than not even hearing her, they lit up a joint right then and there.  It is one thing to make a mistake and listen when told to do something.  But to sit there (on the lady's property) and not move when asked, is taking it to a whole new level.  

The second thing that stuck out to me was the disrespect people showed during the parade.  Not only were just the athletes in the parade, but the coaches, trainers, concession stand workers, etc. all got their chance to be in the parade as well.  When the athletes didn't come right away, people got mad and started yelling at the people in the parade, "Where are the players?"  Another yelled, "We don't care about you" when the trainers went past.  

After hearing these things said, I just shake my head.  It is crazy to think that our world has come to this.  People will say things without even realizing the harm that it may be causing others.  For adults to be saying these kinds of things, whether or not they are a parent or not, more than likely there are children around them since they are at a public event.  Whether or not these adults know it, they are a role model for the children around them.  If a child hears someone saying these things, they think it is okay because someone with authority is saying it, so it has to be okay.  

Not many people think about such parades as places where hateful words and acts can be done.  It is sad to think that things have come to this.  People say what they feel, regardless of who it may be hurting.  It has become a world where even when you do take your children out to say, watch a parade, you don't know what they will hear or see because of the other people that might be there.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8579371/stoners-segways-horrible-nudity-year-sf-giants-victory-parade