My greatest struggles with religion & violence summed up in a simple, clever and rather funny sketch from "Imporant Things with Demitri Martin" (Comedy Central, Wednesdays at 10:30)
Showing posts with label violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violence. Show all posts
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
In Defense of Mallrats Everywhere....
This past weekend the largest mall in Delaware (i.e. your average shopping mall) began to enforce a curfew on Friday & Saturday evenings. "Teenagers under 18 without adult supervision are being turned away at Delaware's largest mall as of this weekend, as officials attempt to reclaim the center for shoppers, not slackers."
What a load of nonsense. What a steaming, smelly pile of...um...nonsense.
One thing that will consistently annoy me is the scapegoating of youth. Even in this age that is often described as detached, youth remain very good at finding enjoyment in being together. As our society turns more toward isolating ourselves in cubicles and suburbs without sidewalks, there are less and less places that such group socilization occurs organically. It's a sobering thought to think that a shopping mall can become the best option for (according to the mall's GM) more than 2,000 youth on any Friday or Saturday.
If there is a positive side to this, I would suggest that it shines a harsh light on the reality that shopping malls exist for one purpose: to profit from consumerism. The fact that teens aren't welcome to socialize at the mall stems from the same reason that I have to wander down endless hallways into the bowels of any mall whenever I need to go to the bathroom. The mall places a higher priority on our ability to spend than on my physical need to use the bathroom or the need of 2,000 youth to build relationships with their peers. In an earlier article, a spokesperson for the International Council of Shopping Centers had this to say: "What has to be remembered is the mall is there for commerce; it's not a hangout. It's a private property, and it's there for shopping."
If "the church" is alive in Delaware, they will join with other decent and caring people in realizing that young people hanging out with friends is not a problem to be dealt with, but a good thing. They will find ways to foster that desire to build relationships and community. They will give them places to congregate safely, but also on their own terms. They will show youth the respect that they often demand for themselves. They will also wise up to the fact that the Christiana Mall has no additional regard for them beyond their ability to spend and consume. If they must consume, they'll find somewhere else to take their money.
What a load of nonsense. What a steaming, smelly pile of...um...nonsense.
One thing that will consistently annoy me is the scapegoating of youth. Even in this age that is often described as detached, youth remain very good at finding enjoyment in being together. As our society turns more toward isolating ourselves in cubicles and suburbs without sidewalks, there are less and less places that such group socilization occurs organically. It's a sobering thought to think that a shopping mall can become the best option for (according to the mall's GM) more than 2,000 youth on any Friday or Saturday.
If there is a positive side to this, I would suggest that it shines a harsh light on the reality that shopping malls exist for one purpose: to profit from consumerism. The fact that teens aren't welcome to socialize at the mall stems from the same reason that I have to wander down endless hallways into the bowels of any mall whenever I need to go to the bathroom. The mall places a higher priority on our ability to spend than on my physical need to use the bathroom or the need of 2,000 youth to build relationships with their peers. In an earlier article, a spokesperson for the International Council of Shopping Centers had this to say: "What has to be remembered is the mall is there for commerce; it's not a hangout. It's a private property, and it's there for shopping."
If "the church" is alive in Delaware, they will join with other decent and caring people in realizing that young people hanging out with friends is not a problem to be dealt with, but a good thing. They will find ways to foster that desire to build relationships and community. They will give them places to congregate safely, but also on their own terms. They will show youth the respect that they often demand for themselves. They will also wise up to the fact that the Christiana Mall has no additional regard for them beyond their ability to spend and consume. If they must consume, they'll find somewhere else to take their money.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Beyond Capernaum Makes the News Without Being Shot
The post below (How To Make The News in Philadelphia) was printed today (June 20, 2008) as a letter to the editor in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Find it on page A14 of the print edition or online here.
Monday, June 16, 2008
How to Make the News in Philadelphia
Two 23-year old men were shot and killed yesterday in Philadelphia. One of them made the top headline of the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer (June 16, 2008). He was described as an "Aspiring Teacher" although his current employment was as a barista at Starbucks (no shame in that...I love those people!). By chance, I walked past that same Starbucks yesterday and wondered why there were multiple news trucks filming on location. The Inquirer also included two photgraphs with this story...one of the victim and one of the street where he died.
The other man's death was reported on page B10 in a tiny little article completey hidden on a page that had nothing else but advertisments for hearing aids, loans and something called "Zeppy".
Anybody want to guess which of these tragedies happened to a white person?
I pray that God's peace be with both families.
The other man's death was reported on page B10 in a tiny little article completey hidden on a page that had nothing else but advertisments for hearing aids, loans and something called "Zeppy".
Anybody want to guess which of these tragedies happened to a white person?
I pray that God's peace be with both families.
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