We have had twenty-four murders in 13 weeks, which is almost two murders a week in a country that has less than 500,000 residents. While the peace marches and rallies show that the public is not satisfied with these statistics, I wonder if they really change much.
We have a terrible habit in this country of jumping on bandwagons and making lots of noise for a period. However, something we sorely lack is sustainability. We are very reactionary and do not do well with following through on things.
I am often reminded of how we behave when new things come on stream. We would beat down the doors of new establishments, mainly looking to see who will be patronizing the business. Similarly, if someone is deemed to be a great orator, he would become the new person standing behind every podium at every luncheon meeting, but for a season.
The question then is how we go from this mentality to creating a society that can sustain itself in various situations. The quick amens and alleluias that can be heard from our lips gives a quick glimpse at how we react on an emotional level without much thought.
The fundamental truth, as I see it, is that this nation is at a point in its existence where it needs to focus on where it is going and what it is doing to get there. This country has so much potential but we continue to be shackled to the walls of ignorance and violence.
Such unawareness and aggression appears to be a cycle in which so many families have lost themselves that I wonder how we can get out of the riptide that continues to pull us out further into the depths of despair and hopelessness.
Yes, the educational system of this country needs to be addressed and yes, parents need to take a firm proactive approach to parenting their children. However, while the schools and parents continue to try to do their parts there are other elements of society that must also join in this fight.
And, what really is this fight? Is it a fight to hold on to our dignity and self-worth? Is it a fight to bring down our brother or sister? Perhaps when one reviews the criminal statistics of this country it would seem as if the fight is to survive just another day.
Making it to another day is not something we would normally think about as we lie down to sleep unless we have passed a certain age. However, the sad truth is that we do not know when we would be struck down with some deadly disease or illness. And, as the Bible reminds us, we need always be ready for the end.
Ultimately, we must then remember that the minute we are born we begin to die. The reality is that what we do each day we are alive must count for something. While we must not obsess about our imminent death, we must not live our lives as if today will not come around again tomorrow.
For the persons who lift up arms against another and end human lives so senselessly, their tomorrow will come. While we protest and march with placards against the violence in our streets we must first look at ourselves and question what we may have done or not done to contribute to the rage and brutality that plagues so many of our people, especially young men.
This week I challenge you to examine what you have done today to make your today tomorrow a little better. Each new today in your life should bring hope and happiness even in the midst of death and mayhem.
Be one to not only march against violence, but march against listlessness and apathy. Wipe away the tears of fear and replace them a spirit of hope and renewed energy for life that you know you were created to live.
