At what point
in our society did this become part of our world? When did
children bring anything other than an insult or a basketball to the
playground? Is the media responsible
as some of our prominent psychologists would
suggest? Is the problem derived from a change in the nuclear family
and as a result, the lack of familial
role models issues an extreme form of anger?
Is it due to the proliferation of drugs and the gang mentality that
confronts our your daily? Or have we
finally progressed to our given state of
barbarism all on our own?
Regardless of
where others may wish to place the burden of accountability,
the result remains the same. The simple truth of the matter is
children’s violence has reached this point of uncontrolled outbursts
where bodily harm and death are the
terrible outcome. Sadly, the blame lies in
no single attribute. Instead, it exists in many areas. Our sense of
morality has become more detached
than our need to express our feelings for one
another through open communication. Indeed, we have reached the ultimate
in cathartic action. Our children when confronted with opposition have
ceased to learn to work with one another. Why should they when it is
easier and somehow “more
news-worthy” to remove any potential obstacle from their
sight? Are they to blame for the environment that wrought them? In my
opinion, the answer is yes. We are all to blame. Young and old alike
are at fault. We are to blame every
time we bought a ticket to a violent movie
or pushed another person in anger. We are to blame every time we let
crime proliferate or drug dealers go
unhindered. We are to blame every time we
believed that the violence of the world did not apply to us because it
did not involve us. Yes, that
includes myself. We have all taken the steps,
which have brought us to this point in our world where children can
get a firearm and exact a poor
emotional justice upon one another. It has taken
many years to reach this point, but none-the-less in our pursuit of
personal freedom, we have somehow
lost the freedom of our nation. We are now
enchained by the violence that surrounds us and our children are merely
the newest expression of that prison.
So, where does
this leave us? Are we without hope? Do we arm ourselves
and prepare for the inevitable? My thoughts are no. Instead, we do
the opposite. We have led ourselves to this point and by example our
children have followed. So, now we
must make a conscious effort to choose a different
path. The road before us is ours to decide and it is never too late
to alter the course. It has taken us years to reach this area of growth
and in all honesty, it will take many more lifetimes to lead ourselves
back to a path of peace. More importantly, the more we strive to walk
this road, the harder it will become, but we can make the change. Who
knows? If enough people follow, we
can walk anywhere.
So, how do we
make this transformation? How do we walk the path of peace
and lead ourselves back to a land of freedom where an individual can
enjoy the wonder of education without
caring a firearm? We begin by taking each
day as it comes. We begin by turning the other cheek. We begin by creating
legislation where crime is truly punished with a penal system that works.
We begin by looking inside the marvel of who and what we are.
Impossible you
say? I suppose most individuals will agree. However, there are
some that may wonder as they read this commentary and dream of the possibilities.
Indeed, it is the dreamers who lead us. There are some that can
look upon a piece of rock and see the “David” that lies beneath before
a chisel has touched the
stone. And, there are some that can see a blank canvas
and realize that the future is theirs to paint before the brush has
seen a single stroke. Just as there
were some that gazed at the stars and believed
that we could walk on the moon before there was any prospect of space
travel. Granted, they are few, but our world has changed because of
them and their belief in things not
yet seen.
The
following is my opinion only and is meant to inspire a moment of
reflection. If you disagree with it,
that is fine as you are entitled and encouraged
to have your own opinion. If you agree, then I am happy to have provided
your opinion with words. My view is certainly not the only way and in
the days that pass, my thoughts may change as the steps of my life strive
to enlighten me. However, if you take
the time to read what I have to share and
in turn, share your thoughts with me; then I think that we will be better
for it as we all walk the path together.
I
can be reached at malee@ix.netcom.com
