Making a society work takes work

Sherry Holliman Community Commentary

Could this be the definition of people in leadership roles that create discriminatory laws? 2 Timothy 3:1-9, summed up in three words found in those verses: “lovers of self.”

What people expect from one another will vary according to their needs.

Should everyone in society expect the same government to provide protection and follow the same set of laws? It is obvious that communities today demonstrate that there is no single way to practice a fair governance from any society. What is society? Who are the people within our society that set up certain populations? Society is made up of individuals who have agreed to work together for mutual benefit.

This a broad term, it can be generalized as a whole as to what society believes, or it can be a very narrow definition, describing only a small group of people within a given community.

But no matter the size, or connection that binds a society together, whether it is professional or economic, society is shaped by the relationships between individuals. Why is society setting people up? Could it be a historical treatment that continues with each generation? Could it be a selfish motive for leaders to oppress certain groups or individuals to gain or keep power?

There are so many societies setups that affect all groups of people but having one should be considered to many. Ask yourself what can I do to eliminate set ups in my community? If one group or person is allowed to do some-

See HOLLIMAN, page A6 HOLLIMAN

From page A4

thing, it should not be a problem if other groups or individuals do the same. Society members must stop being biased, treating each other unfairly, and supporting double standards. This must change to allow everyone to feel equal especially since students are taught that America is an equal opportunity country.

In other words, people must be held accountable for their decisions in agreeing to certain laws and in choosing leaders to be advocates.

Leaders, especially elected officials, should always do the right thing for the people they represent.

If people lose trust with their leaders, then society will struggle as a whole. There are laws created for specific purposes to enforce legal protection.

But many of these laws are broken within society such as increased inequality. Some laws and policies have supported the prohibition of women not having equal access to many resources, which limited the economic and social choices for women. All the while making women more vulnerable to poverty and victims of violence.

Will these setups ever change?

A man earning more than a woman is acceptable but a woman earning more than her husband is not.

It’s natural for men to get angry and respond aggressively but for a woman she is overreacting. If men ignore their responsibilities, it’s because they are overburdened, if women do the same, they are irresponsible and lazy. In addition to some educators teaching gender roles of professions such as a male should be a doctor, but a woman had to be a nurse.

Men's wages are always higher than women. Some people are struggling with male spiritual leaders supporting ending the gender gap, but refuse to allow women to hold spiritual leadership roles.

Where does this mindset come from? It’s because society is filled with set ups!

Now is the time to change this setup. Only you can make this happen.

You may be a part of the set up or you are the societal member that influences the unfair treatment to different people or groups. Either way it hurts our relationships with each other.

When society supports double standards between races, religions, and genders it damages our nation and divides our communities.

Many people are blind to the double standards that affect our community especially if it isn’t affecting them, while some may accept these standards as okay in our society, they are not okay.

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County and has some views on a variety of topics that she wants to share with her neighbors. She previously served on the Marion City Council.