What is Wrong with People?

This little girl, Amanda Cummings, felt so battered by life that she threw herself under a bus.  A tragedy.  The family sets up a facebook page in her honor.  Understandable.  But then internet trolls start coming onto the site and making horrible, disrespectful comments about the girl.  How can people be so unthinking and disrespectful?  I didn't know the girl or anything about her, but her family has suffered a terrible tragedy.  Why would anyone want to taunt people in their time of grief?!?

Then there's the case of Danny Chen, the Asian Army private who was bullied and either committed suicide or was beaten to death. I don't remember the specifics, I just remember that he had to endure racial taunts, and suffer racially-motivated humiliation because he was Asian. 

I'll admit that, as an African American, my first thought is to say "suck it up."  (Please read on before you judge).  I often look at the behaviors exhibited by African Americans today (heck, I look at the behaviors I exhibit), and wonder "would you have lived through slavery times?"  It's easy to be a smartass and a loudmouth today, but if somebody's cracking a whip on your back or if your life is literally not worth anything, it seems to me that the behaviors would change.  My point here is that people can endure a whole lot more than they think they can.

And I realize that thought is harsh and politically incorrect.  But it's my thought.  I also realize thankfully, that our present society is kinder, gentler, and more evolved than it was a couple hundred years ago.  We're positioned higher up Maslow's pyramid, I guess, so the bottom we can touch is also higher.  Or something like that. I'm not a social scientist, and I tend to rely on Jesus as my Doctor, Lawyer, Psychiatrist, and Counselor, and generally recommend Him to others.  I know everyone ain't into Jesus (remember the whole "religious not spiritual: debate,) and that, sadly, some people suffer in ways so extreme that the only option apparent to them is suicide. God rest their souls; I pray their and their families' comfort.  I don't get why people would want to taunt them.

And even for those who are stronger -- there's the case of the soldier, I believe he was a Marine with a Purple Heart, but he was definitely a military man, having recently served in Afghanistan.  He went to a Philadelphia Flyers game and made the mistake of wearing either a Rangers or an Islanders jersey -- I don't remember which one, just that he wore the jersey of an NY team.  Those famously friendly people in the "City of Brotherly Love" sucker-punched and attacked this Marine, landing him in the hospital.  The guy goes to Afghanistan and fights the Taliban for his country, only to get beat up by a bunch of drunken Philadelphia hockey fans.  Philly, y'all ought to be real proud of yourselves for that one.

I know it's not a Philly thing -- I know those are actions of a few idiot individuals (who probably won't even be man enough to man up to what they've done).  But it still begs my original question: What is Wrong with People?

Have we really devolved to the point that we will taunt strangers in their time of grief, will harass others who are different, and will do bodily harm to strangers just because of the clothing they wear?  Are these signs of a civilized society, or are these signs of a sin-sick and thirsty world, one that yearns to know of a Love so Powerful, so All Encompassing, so Redeeming, that everyone, no matter their past, can come and sit and sup and have a Brand New Beginning? 

Why does no one see it? Why does no one get it?  What is Wrong with People?