The Silent Scream

Just across from a Whole Foods parking lot choked with cars this afternoon, a violent act was taking place. While hundreds of witnesses were present, no one cried out in protest. In fact, people were getting paid to commit it. This is not surprising, considering the hypocrisy that exists across this American landscape. Now that it's en vogue to spend $60 on organic wild berries and carry one's own shopping bag to the supermarket in a shiny, new Toyota Prius, it may appear that even the rich are becoming more selfless and aware, even to the extent of "going green." But the reality is that everyday, in every American city, nature is being destroyed before our very eyes, in the name of progress. The definition of progress has come to be nebulous. Certainly no one would argue with the idea that people need homes in which to raise their chicly small families. But does a city like Denver actually NEED another faux loft condo? Exactly how many more condos/McMansions/Chase branches/Restoration Hardwares does America require before it is sated?

Here in Colorado, the atrocity that was so nonchalantly being committed was one that you probably witness yourself, with increasing frequency. Perhaps you even stop to watch, finding it interesting and possibly a little sad, but again, that's progress, right? In the Cherry Creek North area of Denver, in front of all of those people trapped in their cars, a very tall pine tree was being bulldozed. Its height would suggest that it was at least 50 years old. For all that time, it had stood there, providing decoration and shelter and purifying the air and now, this afternoon, a bulldozer was hitting it, again and again, with malicious force, as a cat will play with its prey before finally snapping its neck.

Whatever your definition of progress, watching this magnificent example of nature be brought down was violent and sickening. But it's really only collatoral damage as America continues to pretend that its position is still the world dominator, filled with democracy, grand capitalism and productive pioneer citizens. Meanwhile, as we squander our natural resources, displace wildlife and happily accept another condo for the wealthy, 48 million people go uninsured. Unemployment continues to rise. And a war continues in Iraq.

An attitude of applied compassion and restraint would go a long way to begin solving these problems. Inside, many Americans are screaming. They are bankrupt and in debt and ill and alone in a system that has filled itself up with antiquated rhetoric and lies. America is in a mess of its own making and only its own people can now save it.

A tree is a seemingly insignificant thing to worry about with so much torment in the world. But if America is to begin somewhere, it must begin at home. It must take a cold, hard look at what is necessary in the name of progress and what is not. It must realize what we have become and make a plan for the future. It could and should care about everything on this soil and value it and find a way to strengthen it, not tear it down.

And it could all start with a tree.