A Commentary on the Recent Violence Against Schoolchildren
What feeble words. The radio was playing at work yesterday, and I heard the news. And I wept. I wept as I worked. I didn't have the luxury to stop working so that I might weep; but I had the luxury to keep working so that for short periods of time, I might escape the emptiness in the pit of my heart.
On Friday, 14 December, 2012, children in two countries across the world from each other had their peaceful lives sacrificed to the whims of two selfish madmen. These men came to their schools specifically. They came with violent intent to a building whose sole purpose is to benefit children. Their target of violence was children.
Just before 8am, in the village of Chenping, Guangshan county, in Henan, China, a 36-year old man stabbed and injured 22 children and an adult. Of these twenty-two children, nine were hospitalised, seven locally, and two out-of-county for more advanced treatment. Thankfully, none of the children were killed.
At around 9:30am, in Newtown, Connecticut, U.S.A., a 20-year old man, after killing his mother, broke into the school where she worked as a substitute teacher and shot and killed 20 children and 6 adults. He then killed himself.
Those children in China, with their families and friends, have a chance to rebuild their peaceful lives.
Not so those children in the United States.
I have not the love, or patience, kindness or forgiveness of a saint. I have the hurt and anger of a parent, who is feeling broken for the parents of those children. What could be more heart-rending than the loss of one's child? One's precious little one? A sister? A brother? Grandchild? Cousin? Friend? Student? The loss of that little life, so perfect in its innocence, the vivaciousness of doing those little, naughty things to test boundaries, the complete absorbtion of imagination to the exclusion of all else, including being called to supper four times already? What? Tell me what could be worse. The rest of the world can go to Hell, for all that I care but for the sake of children! I know, I know. That makes no sense at all, for if the world is that messed-up, how could it be any place worthy of our children? But share with me, this expression of horror, and forgive me my vengeful hatred: I hope the Chinese man suffers horribly for what he has done to the children of his neighbours. I wish the American man who attacked those children were still alive to suffer the torment of the consequences of his violence. I am feeling a deep hatred for them both, and no forgiveness at all. And the hatred hurts. I must leave the forgiveness of these two men to the saints and to God, for I haven't the strength or will for it.
This season, and always, please remember the families who lost their little ones. As we celebrate a season dedicated to family and loved ones, togetherness and hope, the triumph of Light over Dark, of giving and forgiveness; send your thoughts of love and comfort to them. They need all the strength they can get.
Dedicated to the children and families of Chengping, Henan, China; and to the children and families of Newtown, Connecticut, U.S.A.
My facts source: CBC News; www.cbc.ca
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