March 3rd, 1991. Anybody else remember what you were doing that day? I know I was glued to the television, wondering what on earth the world was coming to.

By nature, I’m an idealist. I always believe common sense will prevail, and in my naivety, just assume that human beings will unequivocally treat each other with kindness and respect in all circumstances.

At least, in my self-created Utopia, that’s the plan.

But back to March 3rd, 1991. That was the day when an amateur video recorder in Los Angeles captured the brutal police beating of Rodney King. The horrifying video was played repeatedly on all channels, and like so many others, I experienced a kaleidoscope of emotions while viewing it.

A little over a year later, three of the four officers involved were acquitted, and the jury failed to reach a verdict on the fourth. The Los Angeles riots resulted in 53 deaths, 2,383 injuries, more than 7,000 fires, damages to 3,100 businesses, and nearly $1 billion in financial losses. (On the third day of the riots, King returned to the national spotlight pleading for peace.)

So let’s put aside King’s addiction history, and his failure to immediately comply with the officers’ requests. Let’s face it, the man was/is no saint. Let’s just look at how far we’ve come. Let’s celebrate the world being in different mindset today. Let’s appreciate how senseless violence, blatant assault, and all types of bullying are no longer social issues.

And then, let’s all work a little harder to be kinder, softer, and gentler. Help make my magical thinking a reality, and my little pipe dream a universal reality.