Preparing for a Violent World

Last updated on: July 23, 2016 at 2:07 pm by Sergio Bermudez

Preparing for a Violent World 2016-07-23T14:07:00-04:00 Sergio Bermudez

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There has been so much animosity in the news lately, whether it’s political platforms advocating the defeat of their opponents, or Cops getting gunned down, or Black Men being shot for a variety of reasons in order to escape the underlying one. Let us not forget about Europe, who has seen their share of tragedies recently as well. I imagine most parents watching the news realizing this is the world that their children will inherit, and asking themselves how does one prepare their children for a world where death is commonplace, and a man or woman who has darker skin color will be subjected to violence for reasons beyond a simple explanation.

The Christian answer of course, is love and prayer. Such things cannot be downplayed, and of course, prayer is the most powerful weapon we have against the forces of darkness that corrupt men’s hearts. Beyond that I have a simple suggestion one, although seemingly innocuous, is a great struggle in itself. It is time read books, and more importantly to read books that wrestle with similar issues. I have continually talked about the importance of stories and narratives that allow us to understand the world, and I see no reason why these times are different in that regard. Perhaps, reading writers who have gone through racial struggles, will allow us to realize something sorely lacking in this world. I am speaking of the dignity of our neighbor.

I do not propose that if you visit a library that these problems will vanish. On the contrary, you may find it harder to look away should you read these books and find that such issues are present and for some, they are as common as the sunrise. That may become overwhelming in itself, but it is my opinion that turning a blind eye is why we find ourselves in the mess we are in this day.

Thank you.

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”
― James Baldwin

Pollice Verso, 1872 painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Image used is public domain / Wikimedia Commons.

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