THE EDITOR: The numerous ills that affect us today, are not and did not happen overnight. In saying this, it gives us no excuse for not becoming the solution. Knowledge is power but dependent on how we choose to apply it. Ignorance is a dangerous bliss, when we choose to look away.
When one considers the issues of crime and criminality, a few things come to mind, and in my world, it comes to mind without alignment to any political metric.
History has taught us to look beyond the text and at the writer to ask the question – why? Why would he or she feel compelled to take that direction with their words, why that message which has the power to influence, motivate or set the world ablaze.
Looking at the writer and his or her life, the pattern of their life story emerges, beginning with how they were parented. Their pains and joys, and inadvertently, their proverbial “beginning of truth!”
Which brings me to us, collectively. To you the parent. How are you shaping your child’s beginning of truth? If they wrote you as a character in a story, what role would you play?
Do you leave them alone, doors unlocked? Do you allow them to explain what they feel or think, without condemnation or aggressive response? Do you perform wicked acts of wrongdoing, immorality and hate, in front of these impressionable eyes? Do you encourage them to take what does not belong to them? Do you celebrate when you benefit from their misdeeds?
Do you – their "go-to," their proverbial "interim God" (until they come to know the true and living God) – abuse your role, authority and privilege of access both physically, emotionally and psychologically, with them, especially as they are temporarily weaker? Note to self – they will get stronger and will remember all you have done. God will too.
Society, do we: neighbours, teachers, loved ones, friends, members of communities, the church, mosque and mandir, do we see our children being left alone and dutifully intervene or not?
Society, do we help a child or do we ridicule that child for their visible deficiencies, which may be a true reflection of the real problem, which we intentionally ignore?
Society, do we hear and listen to a child’s cry for help, or do we keep on walking, headphones on?
You see, we speak of crime and criminality as they relate to guns, drugs, violence and hate. But the true crime, the real beginning of it, is that we have failed to protect our children from those they love the most; and who were intent on hurting them – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
You see, the opposite of doing nothing is doing everything. The harsh reality is that this crime problem is ours to own.
And like a problem inherited, we collectively allowed it to continue, even though we had opportunities to change the cycle ten, 20 and 50 years ago. Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to be a shepherd!
So we continue failing, as individuals, as communities and as a country. We become potential lessons which future children will one day learn in their "do’s
