The Cost of Killing (by Mary Nelson)
In Ramah, a voice is heard, crying and weeping loudly. Rachel mourns for her children and refuses to be comforted, because they are dead. Jeremiah 31:15
Last week a spate of four deaths in our Chicago high schools was blamed on gangs and guns. Last year, the public high school killings totaled 27, and already this year 18 have been killed. As one commentator said, "It's war on our Chicago streets and in our schools." Kids held up signs saying, "Stop Killing" and "Can't you see we want to grow up?" As we approach the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq war that moved us into devastating violence, we must take stock of our failed policies in Iraq and at home. Our current approach is not working.
Dr. Carl Bell, an expert on youth violence, talked about what prevention will take. He said young people need a sense of connectness, access to medicine and counseling, self-esteem and a sense of community. They also need to be able to communicate when they need help. Mayor Daley blamed glorified gun violence on tv and used as entertainment. So many opportunities for alternatives to violence.
Just think of what could happen if we got out of Iraq and redirected that $400 million A DAY we now spend to revitalize quality public education for all, create alternative life giving work experiences, training and jobs for disaffected youth, enable universal health care. Enabling youth to complete school, find meaningful employment would staunch the one way train to prison (which also costs us $25,000 per person annually). We have the resources. Do we have the will?
Mary Nelson is president emeritus of Bethel New Life, a faith-based community development corporation on the west side of Chicago. She is also a board member of Sojourners.
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Comments
Thanks Mary ,
But I am pesimistic about things getting better . Remember when we were kids , in the days people always criticize because we were lacking in many aspects treating some our population disgustingly . Namely African Americans , Homosexuals, women in the work place .
But our neighborhoods , many of them were kid friendly . You got on your bike after breakfast , and off you went . When the street lights came on , you knew it was time to come home . Our families were not allowing us out because they did not care , they did not have to be concerned as they are now .
We had a different culture , families stayed together . Just a few years ago it seems to me , I am not that old , but there is no way from my perspective will we ever have neigboorhoods as kid friendly as when I was a kid . Those issues are not even on top burner it appears to me , our neigbors are often more in communities like this blog , blaming one set of believers for the ills , while the non believers rule over our neigborhoods.
If there were kids selling drugs or doing the things that are taken for granted now their would be parents going balistic 40 years ago , we have accepted we can't let young children play at parks alone anymore , the schools get blamed , but its more what is brought to schools from our homes .
Thanks for writing , but I believe we have turned the corner on ever being able to correct the wrong to our children , Revival , yes always a chance for that . And praise God for those who still make a diffence and fight back , even when mocked for being cultural warriors ,
Bad company corrupts good morals a famous man once said , Home Schooling is not just a Conservative Christian idea anymore , times have changed . Some for the better , but not for kids .
Posted by: Mick | March 12, 2008 6:32 PM
I'm in a hurry tonight, so I'm just going to address 1 aspect of the problem the article touches on - the violence on TV.
When I was young, I came from a family that lived on a shoestring. Therefore my entire family was picked on because we didn't have the things other families did. Were we happy? No. We were all bullied. Did we have lots of self-esteem problems? Yes.
But if anyone had ever suggested walking into our school and gunning anyone down - we would have laughed at you! No moralizing or searching our souls to decide if something like that was right or wrong.
Just laughter... you would have gotten. At the same level as if someone had seriously suggested we each take off all our clothes, walk to the corner bus stop, and board the bus stark naked - to go shopping at the plushest downtown department store .
"What are you, crazy? "
"Wow...that's some imagination you have!
Those would have been our responses.
What has changed? What has placed such thoughts in people's brains? That they even entertain the thought of gunning whole crowds of people down?
Could it be the constant stream of violence on TV? Violence occurs so often on TV - that it slowly tells people this is a NORMAL response to stress and adversity.
After the steady drip, drip, drip, the message slowly seeps in the ground of the people watching. "This is how normal people act." They win by punching someone out, by high-speed car chases, by having a shoot-out. Over and over and over again.
And it becomes an option that people start to consider.
I'll be honest, if allowed myself to be exposed to as much violence as is normal on TV - I think I'd be a raving loon!
Look...when you are faced with stress and adversity in life, you often don't have time to think and soul-search about what's the best way to solve the problem. You search your brain - for what's already in there, for what pops up first.
And if "what's in there" is a full wicker basket full of violent solutions to problems as presented on TV - you'll grab one of things that's easiest to reach. Yeah, here's what I'll do!
I think people need to be a lot more careful what they allow to spend a lot of time swirling around in their minds. And in their children's minds.
Okay....this is all I have time for. Gotta dash.
Posted by: Amazon Creek | March 12, 2008 8:32 PM
If we saw one another as "we" rather than "we versus they", and treated each other as brothers and sisters we could grasp the golden rule.
The idea of individualism at the expense of all is a font for froward thought and defiling the world God so loved.
Let's fight corruption starting with ourselves.
This time when we have an opportunity to vote, rather than conniving toward an end we think desirable, perhaps we could vote for the fruits of the Spirit like hope rather than fear. Fear we can give to God. Obama might be that opportunity for hope. Lies and manipulation of truth which many have settled for in politics should not be the status quo, so it won't be for me.
Posted by: Barbara | March 12, 2008 10:19 PM
"And praise God for those who still make a diffence and fight back, even when mocked for being cultural warriors."
Well, my prayer is that everyone on here will be interested in finding the truth and refining their understanding of it, instead of trying to simply promote and protect their own static opinions.
And then the courage to stand for it in humility.
That's one for everybody, no one in particular and for myself especially.
Posted by: N.M. Rod | March 13, 2008 12:45 AM
Our kids need discipline and parenting. School and street violence existed before the Iraq War, and will exist after the war has concluded. Self-esteem? Come on.
Posted by: kevin s. | March 13, 2008 1:22 AM
The writer means well, but I grieve at the naive notion that throwing more money at inner city schools will end violence or any of the other social problems there. The D.C. schools receive over $20,000 per pupil, yet their quality is abysmal. The true causes are probably myriad, but one major reason is the breakdown of the family in the inner city - pregnancy outside of marriage and absent fathers will inevitably lead to poverty and violence. Re-instating God's norms for marriage would do far more to alleviate the problems of the inner city than massive infusions of cash, which we have already tried without success. Hey, I'm a red-letter Christian. Let's try what Jesus said in Matthew 19:4 and encourage everyone to obey God's design for marriage.
Posted by: No liberal pat answers | March 13, 2008 4:04 AM
I doubt that there is one simple solution. The breakdown of community, discipline, love and meaning in the lives of children has many causes. Perhaps all of us who have heard a call to work on one part of the problem could pray and give thanks for those who are working on other parts instead of trying to get them to join us.
Like Amazon Creek, I think part of the problem has to do with television. Not just the violence, but the whole pattern of thinking TV and advertisements promote. TV tends to present a series of exciting images with very little context or sense of consequences. Ads teach that you should always be happy, that unhappiness is some form of sickness that can be cured by spending enough money. And children spend more and more of their time watching TV instead of interacting with people who might love them, might model appropriate behavior, and would probably make it clear to them that their actions have consequences. It's not just TV, either; our whole lives seem to be pulled out of context. How many people know their neighbors? How many do work that they find meaningful, with people they know and care about, to provide directly for their own needs or the needs of their families and communities?
Posted by: Pelerin | March 13, 2008 6:52 AM
I doubt that there is one simple solution. The breakdown of community, discipline, love and meaning in the lives of children has many causes. Perhaps all of us who have heard a call to work on one part of the problem could pray and give thanks for those who are working on other parts instead of trying to get them to join us.
Like Amazon Creek, I think part of the problem has to do with television. Not just the violence, but the whole pattern of thinking TV and advertisements promote. TV tends to present a series of exciting images with very little context or sense of consequences. Ads teach that you should always be happy, that unhappiness is some form of sickness that can be cured by spending enough money. And children spend more and more of their time watching TV instead of interacting with people who might love them, might model appropriate behavior, and would probably make it clear to them that their actions have consequences. It's not just TV, either; our whole lives seem to be pulled out of context. How many people know their neighbors? How many do work that they find meaningful, with people they know and care about, to provide directly for their own needs or the needs of their families and communities?
Posted by: Pelerin | March 13, 2008 6:52 AM
Without guns we would not have the Constitution and we would not have the United States of America. There are millions of honest a moral households with millions of honest and moral young people that have guns in them without any violence at all coming from them. What is killing our youth is promiscuity and fatherless homes. Gang members are killing our children. Homes where there are no fathers, or fathers who are themselves gang members (Jihadists are gang members too) are the most violent places on earth. TV and the movies glorify promiscuity, fatherless homes and violence. And . . .
Posted by: Fuzzy bunny | March 13, 2008 9:22 AM
glorified gun violence on tv
WOW! What a concept. I believe that it was the the Dobson's - Kennedy's (D. James not Teddy) that we saying this back in the 80's and it was the liberals (Wally Mondale for one) that verbally 'shot down' these people for the 'screwed up view of the world' at that time. Now - it is a liberal issue and everyone lines up behind it - whatever.
Blessings-
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | March 13, 2008 10:08 AM
Speaking of killing:
I have searched Sojo in vain for a reference to the murder of the two 15 year olds and 6 other young yeshiva students. Perhaps it missed press time?
See this from the Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/03/12/slaughter_jubilation_and_the_peace_process/
Posted by: Witness for Peace | March 13, 2008 10:19 AM
"I believe that it was the the Dobson's - Kennedy's (D. James not Teddy) that we saying this back in the 80's and it was the liberals (Wally Mondale for one) that verbally 'shot down' these people for the 'screwed up view of the world' at that time."
I don't think so. "The liberals" (thanks for speaking of us one monolithic unthinking bloc) have been concerned about media violence for a long time. How about some backup for this comment, like a link?
Posted by: I and I | March 13, 2008 12:16 PM
kevin s,
i'm interested in why you pooh-pooh self-esteem?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: carl copas | March 13, 2008 12:31 PM
"I don't think so. "The liberals" (thanks for speaking of us one monolithic unthinking bloc) have been concerned about media violence for a long time."
Indeed we have.
Amazon, I have another thought for you. I agree that when I was growing up, the idea of going to school and gunning people down would have been laughable. As a nonviolent person, the worst I could ever have imagined doing, on my worst day, was going to school and cursing people out. In the Bible, it's clear that this was considered a powerful force; if you really wanted to get to somebody, you insulted his mother. Nowadays, calling somebody a m----------- is just another thing you say.
Words are powerful, and, strange as this may seem, profanity has a purpose. When you resort to using words like this, you are theoretically crossing a line, and evoking an almost mystical power. In the process, you are letting off steam without actually hurting anybody. Nowadays that option is no longer there, and we're all worse off for it.
Now, to get back to the topic, I don't think it's naive at all to suggest that $275 million a day we're spending on the Iraq war could be used very constructively for other purposes. I don't see Mary suggesting that we throw it at the DC schools. It's the implication that the breakdown of marriage and family has nothing to do with poverty and economic deprivation, though, that strikes me as naive.
Posted by: Another nonymous | March 13, 2008 12:35 PM
Universal healthcare will solve our violence problem? Come on, Mary! Don't hide a serious issue behind your political agenda.
We have a few more obvious symptoms to solve before expanding federal power into places the Constitution never provides for. Problems like
1. Men refusing to stand up as fathers to their children
2. Children wandering aimlessly with no moral direction and thinking violence and death is a worthy response to being disrespected or offended
3. Children's self-esteem is not only low, but drastically distorted causing a lack of respect for authority and other individuals
4. Violence glorified for entertainment (go to youtube.com and look up fight, cat fight or girl fight and you'll be amazed and shocked at what you find. the voyeurism is frightening)
This is just the tip of the iceberg. My point is that there are so many things wrong in the culture, but overextending government is no solution. The church's role is more paramount than ever as we face an what has become an epidemic of violence and senseless death.
Iraq didn't cause it. Healthcare didn't cause it. Sin and a lack of accountability are largely to blame for where we find ourselves. Prayer, direction, and action are needed to bring any resolve to this catastrophe.
Posted by: Steve S | March 13, 2008 12:42 PM
Another nonymous": "Words are powerful, and, strange as this may seem, profanity has a purpose. When you resort to using words like this, you are theoretically crossing a line, and evoking an almost mystical power. In the process, you are letting off steam without actually hurting anybody. Nowadays that option is no longer there, and we're all worse off for it."
Interesting thought. Back in the day, if you called someone a "son of a b___ch," that not only insulted the targeted person but also his mother. Likewise "motherf_____r." Now, these words are cheap, indeed sometimes even terms of endearment.
When I first started teaching in college in the mid-80s, it was a huge deal if in class I let slip an "f-bomb." Nowadays, students scarcely bat an eye.
Posted by: carl copas | March 13, 2008 12:47 PM
Re violence in schools.
This is symptomatic of greater issues.
When US and other western sourced films / TV is received in some 3ed world countries via Satellite TV there is often a rise in violence - ethnic and religious. This is in part as the life styles portrayed - standard sit com needs an income of about 150,000 to support, what is sexually desirable, blondes in a country of black hair, and a freedom from many constraints. . This generates a feeling of inferiority and this can generate great unease. We know that the shows are utopian so that we do not respond that way
This seems to be the cause of increasing unrest in Nepal and similar areas as reported by major NGO on the unintended effects of cultural globalization (imperialism?) in a report I read recently.
Are you doing the same to your poor via the community expectations? Offering much with out the chance to achieve. Prolonged inferiority complexes tend to turn ugly
I have been watching the comments on this site for some time. There is a tremendously self centred worldview that seems to deny that all citizens should have equal opportunity, and that any sort of redistribution towards the undeserving poor is a sin. Particularly if it is done via taxation. It is OK for corporate socialism if the companies get into trouble - ie bailing out the financial sector re the loans fiasco.
You cannot expect people to respect laws and be good citizens if society but fails to allow people from participating in opportunity. Ie if because of color, ethnic heritage, lack of education, lack of health care, and institutional barriers. There is no point in participation as there is no foreseeable benefit.
It has been said "with out a vision the people perish".
Interestingly, the empire in Eastern Europe was only tolerated by the people while there was hope that things would get better.
From an view point external to the USA a couple of things seem to need to be considered.
Local control/funding of police and education has its problems. Decaying areas get worse off, so are less well funded, this is a self fulfilling cycle of lowering expectations. Move people to where the jobs are if needed. Operating on a more centralised system to even out resources is needed. We have similar problems in our remote areas and that neglect is starting to bite us on the bum.
Gun control is essential, this reduces the problem of ever escalating violence, and retards the over the top responses, hence deaths and the spread of terror. Incidentally most failed states seem to have a surfeit of weapons.
These are major changes, but for major problems, minor touch ups do not work.
Posted by: johnh | March 14, 2008 3:31 AM
"Move people to where the jobs are if needed."
This worked well in Russia, didn't it?
I'm afraid your socialist solution has been tried and failed both here and overseas.
What we need is repentence from all human utopian ideas. Capitalism has serious problems, which we need to humbly acknowledge. But more centralized control of inner cities, more suppression of Christianity, will not work.
But I do agree:
"...for major problems, minor touch ups do not work."
People need decent choices, FREELY CHOSEN, not imposed from above by the all-wise hand of those in Washington and Albany.
Posted by: Witness for Peace | March 14, 2008 7:01 AM
One of my favorite columns by E.J. Dionne appeared in Washington Post eight or ten years ago. He suggested that whenever we talk or think about self-esteem, substitute the phrase "self-respect." It really puts a different perspective on things... "help kids raise their self-respect," "suffering from low self-respect," etc. Try it for awhile.
Posted by: I and I | March 14, 2008 8:56 AM
I pray everyday for an end to the war and for the next president to see the light and bring our troops home now so that we can again concentrate our efforts here in our own war-torn cities.
Gun control is most definitely needed. I fail to see how more citizens owning firearms will help the current situation besides turning our neighborhoods into all-out gun-slinging (worse than it is now).
Our kids are raised in a culture that loves violence and rewards physical brutality. I am the mother of two boys and you only need to see how sports stars and action film actors are lauded as modern-day heroes when peacemakers and intellectuals are overlooked. Until we parents start instilling a sense of decency in our children, I don't hold much hope for change.
Posted by: GB | March 14, 2008 10:44 AM
Guns have been around for centuries and were more accessible to children than they are now. Back in the day, kids even took their shotguns to school for afternoon hunting. The majority of violent occurrences are not because 2 people have the gun and are gun slinging at each other. Its typically one person that terrorizes the rest with their weapon. Gun control has been attempted and, oddly enough, only makes it so that the rogue gun owners have no accountability with the illegal weapons. It only empowers them to be bolder about using their weapon aggressively.
If I could go back in time and prevent guns from ever being invented, that would be great. But that isn't the reality. Guns exist and they are a documented right in the Constitution. If we can get that changed, then we can talk turkey, but until then, its simply isn't lawful to prevent ownership.
Why are these kids and young adults able to procure these guns? who knows... likely the same way they are able to get their hands on drugs and other contraband. There is always a black market for restricted goods. Figure out a way to stop that black market, and you might be able to get somewhere. But it still sounds like a deeper issue than 'gun control' to me.
Posted by: Steve S | March 14, 2008 12:09 PM
I am stunned and sobered by the range of responses here, especially in our apparent unwillingness to look at the impact of the violence that we export to Iraq-or anywhere else-on the violence that festers at home. In my neighborhood of urban Detroit the last five years have seen the reversal of what had been an important and dramatic downward trend in violent crime. If people of faith like those who read a blog like this do not make the connection - those who live by the sword, die by the sword - taught to us by the Prince of Peace, who prayed for a Jerusalem that did not know "the things that make for Peace" where do we turn? Pope Paul VI exhorted all who wished for peace to work for justice. Justice and Peace belong to each other inseparably - Ps. 85 - and that is a spiritual law that not even an American Caesar can trump. Justice is indeed adequate health care, education, safe communities, but to have them, we need the will to bring them about, pay for them, and order our priorities.
Mary, thank you for your wisdom, faith and vision.
Posted by: From Detroit | March 15, 2008 10:56 PM
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