None of this is OK. What now?

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The brutal, inexcusable attack on Israel by Hamas. The rapes, the kidnappings, the threats of public executions. The children who were killed, wounded, or otherwise deprived of their childhood. Gaza made into a death trap by the Israeli response. None of this is OK.

The continued Russian invasion of Ukraine. The casualties. The terrorized populations. The hopelessness. The corruption. The humongous, relentless arms industry feeding this and so many other conflicts. None of this is OK.

The US House leaderless, rudderless, devoid of productive dialogue. Unable to help itself, much less to look beyond its belly button, to Americans and countries in dear need of fair governance, active mediation, empathy, and assistance. None of this is OK.

An ex-president and leading GOP presidential candidate indicted multiple times, in multiple courts, for multiple crimes. A US senator and his wife indicted for accepting bribes and acting as foreign agents. A US representative indicted for greed-driven petty criminal behavior. None of this is OK.

A climate burning hot. Glaciers receding. Fires burning our forests. Crops ruined by climate unpredictability. None under control. None even accepted by all as fact—or fought against in a united front. None of this is OK.

Kids going hungry. Without proper medical care. Sexually exploited. Victims of racism and so many other forms of discrimination. Raised in poverty and without proper education. Without hope. In the richest country of the world!?! None of this is OK.

No, none of this is even vaguely OK. All of it is wrong! Unjust! Inhuman! Suicidal!

In fact, all of it—and much of the world’s history—is a strong indictment of humans as a violent and self-harming species. How does one reconcile that with our ability to reason, love, and care for others?

More importantly, can we turn this all around? Not easily. Not even likely. But possible. And worth doing. With perseverance, resilience, and guided by a strong moral compass. A compass comprised of principles and values. A compass driven by a sense of decency, family, community, empathy and ethics.

Granted, a moral compass often seems awfully insufficient. What can it do against AR-15s, rocket propellers and high-impact bombs? Against extremists, intent on destruction? Against corrupt politicians, thirsty for power? Against religious zealots, exploiting and abusing the faithful?

Yet, today, a shared moral compass might be what we most impactfully have to offer each other. If we can use it to build a better country and world. Constructively. With empathy. With purpose. With others. Inside and outside our borders. Without despairing. For our kids and grandkids.

— Antonio Baptista