I don't usually comment on highly charged issues here in the blog...but I had a disturbing thought tonight and it has been bothering me.
I'm sure most people are aware of the Kyron Hormon disappearance and the sad and twisted stories that are coming out in the media. That's not what I'm writing about - but it is related.
The thought occurred to me tonight, as the news was talking about Kyron's family. "What could a little 7 year old do that would make someone take, harm or kill him?" [in the mind of the person who did this...not that ANYTHING a child or person could/would do can justify any of this...I don't know how to write about what I mean...NOTHING about this situation is logical or defensible.] I just don't understand. It doesn't matter if it was a stranger or a family member or a friend or acquaintance...I just don't get how anyone could harm a child in this way. And yet I know that this happens way more than we can even imagine. What is wrong with people? I know there are mental illnesses and other things that can lead people to do things that are unimaginable and unconscionable, but I just doesn't get it. And I don't want to. I don't think I want to understand or explore such things.
Anyway, it was upsetting. I hope we have a good outcome for this situation, but it doesn't seem likely at this point. I pray for that poor boy and his family. No matter what, this is such an unnecessary tragedy.
Yes, this is a tough question. ( i will try to articulate my thoughts too)
ReplyDeleteMental illness is the answer for some people. I do feel that in some cases, where a child is singled out("A Child Called It" is one example) that it can only be ascribed to evil.
(And aside from the "big box Christians" who have a very rudimentary way of loking at evil), America would rather give people like this a diagnosis; depression, stress, mental breakdown, anxious, and more serious DX as well.
We don't want to believe that people are jerks or assholes or evil. Those are conditions that really can't be fixed or explained.
Our job as parents, special aunties, teachers, etc is to be vigilant and protect to the best of our ability, these precious children.
(My guess is that Kyron's father may not have seen what was right under his nose because he didn't want to believe it. I don't necessarily fault him for that. Keep praying!)
Judi
Thanks, Judi!
ReplyDeleteI think you really articulated what I was thinking about. I don't think we can just write it off as mental illness all the time, either. Yes, these people are SICK, but mental illness isn't always the right answer.
I think it is so strange how a case like this really gets under our skin - I think it IS because it shows that there are some EVIL people, that there are people who have no CONSCIENCE and hurt others because they can.
Sad.
Thank you for engaging in the conversation - I appreciate it!