How to Stop the Senseless Killings in America's Black Communities Part 1

Police Must Serve and Protect. Nothing Else.

Every weekend or even more frequently, the evening news reports the wanton, senseless killings occurring in in the Black communities of Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, and others. These killings are a blight upon this country and must end.

Often ill-informed, commentators attribute these killings to boys being raised without a father, lack of job opportunities, poverty, and an inferior education.  The truth is that none of these factors lead someone to kill someone else.

When someone kill someone else or just shoots or use any other weapon with the intention to kill, it directly demonstrates that this individual does not value another human life and since he is equally human – – did not value his own life. This refers to anyone regardless of what his or her occupation or profession is. The term value is the key.

Valuing Human Life
If we accept the definition that values are principles or standards considered worthwhile or desirable, the question arises as to when does a person begin to acquire values and in particular the value of human life and how is this and other values are acquired.

The answer is, people begin to acquire values as children when they begin to understand the spoken word and progresses as they observe the behavior of their parent and the consistency between the spoken word and the behavior of the parent.

I use parent in the singular because two parents are not necessary for instilling the  correct values in their children. What is required is that the parent is clear concerning the values that need to be taught and the importance of consistency between her words and actions. If there are two parents than both parents have to be on the same page and present a unified front to their children. Parents should never let their  children pit one parent against the other.

How Values are Taught
Values are taught by reading with your children inspirational materials that emphasize the value of human life. If you are religious, you can easily identify religious doctrines that emphasize the value of another human life. 

You can also choose other literature that underscores a life being saved and share stories about individuals who began life at a significant disadvantage but were able to overcome it and excel  at their chosen occupation or profession. And beyond all of this, to show, by example, your love for your children and for yourself through your words and actions. Remember, actions always speak louder than words.

The views that poverty, lack of job opportunities, or inferior education lead to killings are just useless, simplistic, and uninformed.

If an individual has learned to value human life, none of these factors would lead to the act of killing another person. If an individual is presented with the obstacles mentioned above, he will have the inner strength and motivation to find solutions whenever they exist. When you love yourself, appreciate your potential and recognize the same in others, you not only have a conscious and an appreciation of right and wrong, but even a feeling of brotherhood. 

In Part  2, I will specifically deal with the Role of the Politicians and the Police in Stopping the Senseless Killings. Don't Miss it.


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