Once Again

I've been inspired again by another's blog. This woman really makes me think. Which means more to me than I can express. We live close enough in physical proximity that we are accutely aware of the same current events. One in particular sprung up near by and made national news. A townhall meeting, in a neighborhood Jr. High broke out in violence within the last week. I wasn't at the meeting, but we did drive by and see the swarm of people entering the building. For lack of time, I will simply post my reply to her blog here.

We were driving by the junior high when people were arriving. Everyone was dressed nicely. That HUGE parking lot was filled and people were walking across the main road to the event. We noticed because there were so many people. The scary thing about mob mentality is that it can begin anywhere at any time. Lollapalooza 1991 was enough to keep me on my toes. I can no longer be in a crowd of people without being aware of the energy around me.

I guess my point is this. I didn't see anyone enter that building that struck me as someone who would incite a problem. And I'm not even sure it's about having your voice heard. I think that it was about whats been brewing among all of us, everyone who has been touched by this economy. People who who may have voices. Who have been screaming as loud as they can, and who still aren't heard. Just like the under 5 crowd, if they can't be heard, they will be seen.

I feel for them. For all of them. I wish I knew what the answer was. I'd even settle for SOMEBODY knowing what the answer is. The idea that it could happen in a Jr. High so close to us, that we'd make national news, just makes me sick. Think about how lost, how desperate you have to be to live that close to the edge of control?

The worst part is that once their words turn to violence, the crediblity of their words is lost. I just can't help but think that it's not an us/them thing. If I had to guess, there's a good chance that at least someone out there is trying to figure out how they did what they did that night. How they lost control. It breaks my heart. And it makes me think about my own control. Are we really that different?

Thanks again K.