Counter to culture of violence

THE EDITOR: “Hang them high!” they say. “In the square!” So there they are, assembled for the day’s entertainment: Parents, children, officials, rich, poor, quiet and boisterous. It’s lessons time for the “criminals” and for the children. They must learn not to commit crime. But will the children learn what we want them to learn? Some will dutifully shiver and say appropriate things. They didn’t see any crime committed by those “criminals.” Instead, they see, feel and hear the excitement, the pleasure at the violence against the now helpless “criminals?” Won’t the tendency towards violence be increased? Won’t they want to violate and destroy anyone who does them wrong or who they think does them wrong? They may forget the wrongs they themselves do because we easily justify our bad actions and blame others for them.

Besides, won’t public hangings fit into our culture of violence? What is the first tool innocent children seek in playing teacher? A ruler, strap or whip! From early we grow in violence at home, at school. In prison it is the violence of general conditions deplored by national and international commentators. I won’t go into the violence of the workplace, of the injustices generated by unbridled capitalism, of clerks and others who treat us like dirt, of the video games and films our young are fed. What we need is a more caring society. We can get this only with a reduction in violence and the cultivation of humanity. Our children must grow up with the basic social graces at home and at school (please, thank you, sorry, and consideration for others). Apart from the academic stuff, schools must civilise the students by teaching them about family life, interpersonal relationships and life skills not for examination but for everyday action, and the school must be a live illustration of such. The benefits will flow up (not “trickle”) to the adults.

Christians who cry out for hanging, especially public hanging, let us go to some quiet place, put aside our instinctive emotions of horror and vengeance, live in the light of Christ, not in the shadows of the Old Testament. Think of His commandment of love, repentance and regeneration. If we do, I think we shall find new ways to change the violence and build a gentler community. Parents and teachers must know how to raise civilised human beings. If not who will teach our parents and teachers and when? Peace and love!

VAN STEWART
Diego Martin