Monday, September 29, 2008

What is the Matter with People?

I told myself when I first started blogging that I would not do sad or mad posts. Well, I lied. I am mad. I am mad at some very young people in my community. And some not so young, you'll understand.

The other night my mom and I were driving around town. We came up to a stop sign and saw a group of young people gathered looking at something. As I pulled forward, I could see a body laying in the street. The crowd started to disperse. I yelled out my window to a young girl, "has anyone called 911?" She shrugged her shoulders carelessly and lazily said, "yah". Her whole demeanor told me something bad had happened. Aside from having to "wait" on a young man to SLOWLY move his butt out of the street, we rushed to the PD, which was only 2 blocks away. An officer was running out the door as I went inside. I yelled to him, "I hope you are headed to J------ Street". He quickly nodded. A young man from the scene was arriving on foot. I yelled to another officer, "I think you need to talk to that guy, he was running from the scene". The young man yelled back to me that he was NOT running from the scene he was headed to the PD. Yeah, okay, I may give him that.

I was furious all night thinking about all of the people I observed. I seriously thought about writing a letter to the newspaper telling the citizens of my small community how disappointed I am in the young, careless people who live or "hang out" here and failed to help someone in need. I changed my mind. I changed my mind because I believed I had no idea what really happened. Even though I could just feel it in my bones, I had no idea what happened.

Today at work, I heard a little of what happened. The young man was arrested for Assault 2nd. However, the PD changed their paperwork to Involuntary Manslaughter because the old man died. The old man died. All of those &#9*@ young people didn't do a darn thing. Too many of them were walking away as I pulled past the stop sign. Obviously the man had been there a minute because his grown blonde lab was pacing around his body. Why do we tolerate things like we do? That young girl who shrugged at me and the gangly jerk who wouldn't get out of my way on the street. What's wrong with them? Why do we owe them? Why do these people get away without taking any responsibility for anything? I couldn't get over the number of people

I find it appalling that we tolerate seeing grown men "sagging" with their pants hanging below their buttocks. I find it appalling that they cannot walk correctly because their pants are sagging. I find it appalling that children talk back to their parents or anyone in charge for that matter. I find it appalling it is easier to walk away from anything difficult than it is to face the truth. I find it appalling for people who have morals and a conscience do not get heard.

Like I said before I do not know the whole story to this incident. I gather there had been a fight. A fight between a 59 year old man and a 28 year old man. People have the right to disagree about anything. People do not have the right to lay a hand on anyone for any reason (unless you force your way into my home while I'm there, game's on). Why do we tolerate stuff? Does anyone know? I know what some will say, "it's all how they were raised, it's their environment", well blah blah blah. Those excuses don't last long with me anymore. Everyone has to go to school. Oh I forgot. Some parents have raised such a stink, some teachers can't teach anything but books anymore. Unfortunately for those kids, that's the only place they had an opportunity to learn ANYTHING. I made the decision years ago not to have kids because I believed I would not be a good parent. I'll be darn. I don't think I could've done any worse than some. (Trust me, it's refreshing to see parents blogging about their children and the things they've done. I really do appreciate that. So please know I'm not talking about you, I hope not anyway.)

Enough for a bad post. I hope this is the last one. I do not (did not) have high blood pressure, but the more I thought about this incident for the past few days, the more I felt like I was in a futuristic trance. I never thought I'd see this behavior in my small community. Guess what? Times are changin'.

14 comments:

Farmchick said...

Oh boy....that made MY blood pressure shoot up. That is absolutely HORRIBLE!! We don't have a lot of the baggy pants kids around here but I guess there are a few. My kids think they are weird so I am always glad about that! Hope you have calmed down a bit.....and that you have a great day!
Tania

April said...

Amen sister! That is awful! Kids may be raised a certain way, but as they get older they should know what is right and what is wrong. I do agree with you, times are changing, and it does make me sad!

Becky K. said...

That is so very, very sad!

It puts a lot into perspective.

Becky K.

Nancy said...

That is such a sad story. And, no matter how a kid was raised, I think that deep down everyone knows right from wrong. Unfortunately not everyone exercises that knowledge.

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I'm so sorry you had to witness this. I notice many kids/young adults don't have the respect, responsibility like the "old days". It's only been 12 years since I graduated from high school but I can tell a big difference from then. There is so much that kids get away with these days. It makes me scared/concerned how the world will be when my boys are that age. :(

Anonymous said...

It's very odd the way some people act today. There is a lack of caring, feeling, and remorse. It makes me very sad.

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

How horrible! I am right there with you! I don't understand it either. How can anyone stand around and do nothing when someone was visibly seriously hurt?
I also cannot stand the saggers! Everything about their demeanor is given away by their outward appearance. Utter defiance! Give me a berak!
God have mercy on all of us!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

My dear, sometimes we need to use our blog for a box to speak our minds. I know the type! I live in Central California and we have all kinds of gang and delinquent problems here. In fact, the town I live in is the car theft capital of the nation. It is so very sad that those kids just stood there. It makes you wonder what goes through their minds - if anything.

You did the right thing - it is your training that kicked in!!

hugs,
Becky

Catty Wampus said...

a big Amen sister too! You are right; and even though I, like you, try to keep my blog fun there are serious issues that we as human beings have to address in order to be the people that we are. We do care about our world and so I say we must let the world know; we are watching! We need change alright, but not in Washington; we need it right here at home! I hope you will always use your voice to share the good and the bad! I think you would have made a fine parent; and it is too bad that more people are not like you and think more about the ability to raise a child rather than just the physical act necessary to produce one. Merrie

Rue said...

Hi Lisa,

I'm sorry you had to witness something that horrible. I think that those children are a reflection of society today. A lot of people will not do anything to help someone in trouble, for fear they will be inconvenienced and it makes me mad too.

hugs,
rue

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Such an unfortunate story Lisa. I pray that the world is made of more kinder people then not! Such a shame, isn't it. Sigh...Hugs, Maryjane

Unknown said...

You are so right, as a whole we tolerate alot of intolerable things. It's not right. g

Anonymous said...

Oh my I would have probably got out and ended up in trouble myself. I know totally what you mean. This group gets off on this kinda stuff.

Terri Steffes said...

You are a fabulous writer. Your story made my blood boil. As an elementary school principal, I can tell you right now you are spot on in your observations.

BTW, I think you would have made a good parent. Is it too late to change your mind?