Coffee & Conversation: The Parents’ Weekend What’s All the Fuss about Alcohol in the Culture Edition.

I come from a family social space where asking questions, talking loud, deep laughing, argument, poking fun, and having a taste of wine keeps someone from asking, “what’s up with you?”  Crunked tragedy? Just livin’?

Yipes! Smashed brain development, wrecked highway safety, twisted violence, a tipsy social fabric, large-scaled-booze-infused mayhem, wasted youth, blotto scare tactics, groggy temperance lectures, dipso loss of individual productivity, secret sessions sloshing.  All this from drinking the beer, wine, and liquor?

Is it finally time for a discussion about alcoholic beverage consumption in America that goes beyond complaining about the drinking age? Can you get me out of the mix: the law that says ”absolutely not,” on one hand, and the culture that says, “why not,” on the other hand?  What should be an important part of the chitchat?  Why can’t we even get an honest conversation going?  What’s our culture around drinking alcohol (not the rubbing kind)?  When is an adult a full-fledged adult and who wants to act like one?  Time for new prohibitions? An easing? An increase?

Takes courage to jump into this conversation.

I’ll see you at the Howard Thurman Center, this Friday, October 22 from 3-5 p.m. It’s Parents’ Weekend, so bring your folks and your best conversation.  I’ll have plenty of cookies and tea (of course) as we discuss alcohol in America.

(Seriously, I hope your parents join us if they’re in town!)

Peace.

Video Drinking: 18 vs. 21 by Robin Berghaus for BUniverse