I'm
addicted to news. There is much mocking in our home which is regularly directed
at me and my obsession for the news. I wake up in the morning to the news on
the radio, within moments the TV is on the BBC news channel, and no sooner am I
in the office than I'm reading the BBC News website. When pottering around the
house at weekends it's not unusual for the news to playing in the background
while I supposed to be focused on other things!
Many
of us are familiar with the fact that most news is dark in nature and
good news or fun stories are rare or are tagged on the end of a 'slow news
day'. However in recent weeks I've found it almost too oppressive to
engage with the news around me. Acknowledging that some is speculative and
other cases are yet to be proven, the recent catalogue of sexual offences that
have led to arrests and confessions seems to have spiralled beyond my
comprehension.
It
appears as if there is a new sense of purpose amongst the authorities to act
with rigour regarding accusations made, and it seems as though ‘Operation Yewtree’
and other parallel investigations are having a significant impact.
The
past couple of days have seen most TV networks turn their attention to events
in Ohio, with the dramatic escape and rescue of the girls that were held in
captivity for a decade. While not an excuse for his alleged crimes, Ariel
Castro appears to have himself been raped by his uncle and abused by his
parents. While it is certainly not always the case, it appears that in this
particular instance, the cycle of violence, abuse and destruction has passed on
through generations.
Not
all, but many of the individuals that we love and serve here at Glasgow City
Mission will tell you stories of abuse. Abused often by the ones who should
have fought to protect, nurture and love them. The impact of these crimes
doesn’t disappear in an instant, nor does it leave with the end of the abuse.
The memory of the abuse and the long term emotional impact of it can all too
often be devastating. The reason many of the people we serve have sometimes
turned to substance abuse is often to hide from the pain endured for too long.
Three
things keep going round in my head recently.
Forgiveness
This
is a huge issue for our world, but in short they only way to halt the cycle of
abuse and violence that I know is forgiveness – given and received, victim and
perpetrator.
Acceptance
I’m
guilty of judging people, why they are the way they are, why they take drugs,
behave violently or live chaotic lives. Often they've been the victims of
abuse, and instead of condemnation need acceptance, not acceptance of actions
that are destructive, but acceptance of who they are is key to part of their
recovery.
Protection
We
need to stand up for the vulnerable, the weak, the ‘widows and orphans’ of our
society, the voiceless; we need an arm of protection and stand up to abuse in
all its forms.
I
find it important to consider more carefully the lives of those around me,
choosing not to join the wailing mob, desperate for revenge in the hope it
might make me feel better momentarily. Rather take small steps on the deep,
long and hard journey which will include forgiveness, acceptance and
protection.
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