Mental Health Issues & Violent Acts

Throughout the history of the United States, individual acts of violence have been performed by people who had mental health issues.  Presidents, celebrities, elementary age children and recently those attending movies are just examples of those who have been killed by individuals suffering from mental health issues.

The instrument of destruction in most of these killings has been guns.  This does not mean we must ban guns but means that more protections need to exist to keep guns and other weapons of destruction out of the hands of those who have mental health issues.  A difficult task indeed.   Their is no test required to have every person in the country to pass a "mental health" test.  So, how do we know someone is mentally ill?  Basically it comes down to family members, friends, or others noticing behavior or actions of people that seems violent or that raises concerns.  Physicians may have to be directed to report to police or other protective agencies information on possible concerns doctors may have with a patient carrying out violent acts.

The common denominator that may warrant triggering a report to officials is written, verbal, or actions taken by a person with mental issues that lean towards violent acts.  Of course caution needs to be taken that an innocent, misdirected comment by a person by itself does not become the sole evidence of follow-up violent behaviors.

Mental health issues are not something new that suddenly popped up. History indicates we as people have long had problems that fall into the mental health category.  Some people have lived with these problems.  Some have lived until they were no longer able to fight the demons within them.  In those instances suicide has been their choice of action rather than taking the lives of others.

Prevention of mental health issues requires what?  Are some people going to encounter mental health issues due to "inheriting" issues that existed from their parents?  Are mental health issues preventable? Can someone with mental health issues be cured?  If not, what actions should be taken in helping the individual deal with their mental health issues?  How much does the media and reporting on instances of violence impact the future behaviors of the mentally ill?  Are we partly at fault for glorifying and over reporting on acts of violence carried out by individuals?

Throughout our country and hopefully throughout the world there are dialogues on going on how best to deal with these issues.  Understanding, compassion and developing options on how to "treat" mental illness and better prevent mental issues from developing is what we need to continually invest time in.  I don't think life is getting any simpler.  Among all the issues in the world, one that may offer substantial benefit is understanding and developing ways to deal with mental health issues.

If you are involved in the dialogue regarding mental health, please share what discussions, recommendations and actions are currently ongoing.

Sandra Bland - Police Stand Down

I just watched the dash cam video of the altercation between the police officer and Ms. Bland.  These continued incidents make me wonder why there is not a nationwide "stand down" where all police officers are reminded on how to interact with the public.  Is it that difficult for police to gather in a conference room in each locality and review the proper procedures to reduce instances of escalating police stops into life and death situations for the public?

The police approach people armed with guns.  The police can not expect people to feel comfortable if  a person approaches them with a weapon.  Especially in light of events over the past year where policemen have been video taped killing people, just because they can.

In the military when events go wrong, especially leading to deaths, they go into a stand down mode. Procedures are reviewed and training provided to prevent repeats of the incidents.  So I ask again why can't this be done by police forces throughout these United States of America?  Provide police with sensitivity training.  Remind them that African Americans have been mistreated in this country for many years.  African Americans want to be respected.

A minor event has somehow curtailed into a woman now being dead.  As you hear in the video of the confrontation, people are tired of being seemingly picked on for minor issues.  The police, who legally carry weapons, need to go the extra mile to not escalate situations.

Stand down, educate yourselves.  Then treat us respectfully.

Death Required for Public Policy Change

It often takes the death of a person to initiate action to change a policy or create a new law. Unfortunately that is part of the human condition.  We seem to think that if nothing negative has happened there is no need to make a change.  We are reactive not proactive.

Recently the issue of the Confederate Flag being flown over a state capitol came back into public debate.  The discussion was initiated due to nine people being murdered by someone who featured the Confederate flag in a photograph.

Why do we wait until someone dies before taking action?  Sometimes as in the case of gun control, there are not enough deaths to inspire us to action.  Not even murders of children in schools over the past 3 years was enough motivation to change policy in regards to gun control.

We can only ask those who stand in the way of change why must a death happen before they change their mind?  The irony of ironies would be if someone in their family happens to die because of their refusal to take action on an issue.

Tired of the Violence

The 7 year old grandson of a friend of mine was shot and killed over the July 4th weekend while with his father watching fireworks.  His father, a gang member, allegedly was the target of  the shooter. The gang lifestyle of his father cost a 7 year old his entire future.

One irony is that my friend is the acting director of a Team Mentoring program  that mentors elementary grade students.  My friend, who spends time trying to mentor young kids into a positive direction, had his own family impacted by gang violence.  My friend's grandson was going to spend time with his grandfather this summer.  In a moment of senseless violence that opportunity was taken away.

Some of our youth continue to engage in self destructive gang activities.

I'm not going to offer the solution that these violent young men need Christian instruction.  I would not ask them to "give your life to Christ" or invite them  to a mentoring sessions, or a meeting to help turn their lives around.  My speech would be, you've made a choice to live a violent lifestyle. Whether you were inspired by prior family members, the movies "Scarface", or "New Jack City", doesn't matter.  You want  a lifestyle of violence?  That is your choice.  Just keep your lifestyle away from innocent people like the 7 year old in Chicago who was killed while just trying to enjoy fireworks.  If you don't care about yourself or others, I don't care about you.

Take your violent actions out into some isolated part of the country.  You and your fellow gang members.  Build yourselves a town in the desert.  Far away from us.  Carry out your wild west antics away from us.  When you realize how senseless your actions are and want to live a peaceful normal life then come on back.  But, until then stay away from us.  We don't want you near us.  We are getting tired, very tired of your actions.  With every negative action you take you are arousing us to action to see that your violence is dealt with and that you go away.

We are tired of seeing innocent people hurt because of you.  It's time for you to go.

Pre emptive Strikes Against Domestic Hate/Terrorism

Over a year ago I posted a blog with the audacious idea that "Hate groups" should be outlawed in these United States of America.  Those who organize hate groups are able to spread their beliefs behind the protective umbrella of Freedom of Speech. They are shrewdly inspiring others to take acts of violence against those whom they hate.  The organizers of hate groups are inspiring many to despise those of different ethnicity and behaviors.  These organizers are brainwashing individuals to become walking time bombs who one day will carry out acts of violence against those whom they have been taught to hate.

Yes, the United States has outlawed hate crimes, but it has not outlawed the existence of hate groups. The United States agrees that criminal acts against others based on hatred deserves prosecution.  But, in the same breath the United States allows for proliferation of hatred under the umbrella of freedom of speech.  There is a disconnect there.

 Politicians understand that education leads to a specific course of action or behavior.  Hate groups serve as colleges of hate.  These hate groups are producing magna cum laude graduates of hate who are then sent out into the world to apply what they have been taught.  So, do not be surprised at events such as the murders in the church in Charleston, South Carolina.  It will happen again, and again, and again.  It will happen until people stop teaching hate and sending graduates of hate into the world.

Control of guns is only a follow up action to ensure that graduates of hate do not get the tools of death and destruction to apply what they have been taught.  Every time these events occur the call goes up for tighter gun control.  But there are other dimensions that need to be addressed.  Along with dealing with the hate groups, effective mental health care needs to exist.

There is no need to be more fearful of your safety after the events in Charleston.  We've been taught in the past 15 years that we are pretty much on our own in terms of protecting ourselves from terrorism.  We're taught to be vigilant, "see something, say something".  Report suspicious activity or devices.  Our schools now have doors locked to the outside public with cameras to screen visitors.  Armed guards may now patrol significant public events.  Note the security detail that surrounds those who run for major public offices such as President.  There are people walking around who are mentally ill and who are walking time bombs waiting for their moment.  If their hate cannot be turned around and quieted the violence and destruction of lives will continue.

I was glad to hear that one visible instrument that raises concerns of hate may become less visible.  The Confederate flag, a monument to a time when one region of this country fought to preserve slavery.  The state of South Carolina is once again considering changing the policy of displaying the Confederate flag.  A retail store has now stopped selling the Confederate flag.  It's unfortunate it takes the murder of people to inspire action.

The United States government appears to have a preemptive strike policy against terrorists in other countries.  Our government has and will take forceful action against those known to promote others to carry out hateful violent actions.  So why don't we have a preemptive strike policy against agents of hate within our own country?  If you attempt to inspire others to take violent actions against others why can't you be held accountable for their actions?

Now is the time for continual action.  Stop supporting agents of hate and the tools that advertise and promote hate.

Father's Day

Father’s Day.  I joke with my wife that on Father’s Day you can get a reservation easily at any restaurant in the city.  Even the restaurant that normally is sold out will be waving people in to fill empty seats.  So if you haven’t been able to get reservations at a special restaurant my tip is to call now and get your choice of times on Father’s Day.  The greeting card section for Father’s Day is miniscule compared to that for Mother’s Day.  If father’s play a role in creation of life, why does Father’s Day sometime feels as if it is the step child of all days?

Not to speak for all families, but for me recognition and honoring of fathers begins in each home.  The mother in the home will be the one who leads the attention given the father on Father’s Day.  If the relationship between husband and wife isn’t great or if the woman was never taught by her mother to do something special on Father’s Day, the learned behavior will be repeated in future generations.  If the mother does not tell her children to do something special for Father’s Day, then the odds are the child will not.  In some cases the relationship between the father and his children may be so positive that his children will want to recognize their dad in some way.  How many of you father’s self promote Father’s Day to ensure it’s a great event?

Besides our home lives, how are we taught about Father’s Day?  Sales in stores and commercials on television are the main reason we even know it exists.  Maybe it is mentioned at church services?  But if married women are attending church by themselves, the odds are the message is raining down to a non receptive audience that may respond only because the Pastor suggests they honor the father.  Father’s Day might be in the same category as Administrative Professional day.  It’s almost like a second tier holiday that exists because hardware and clothing stores need a reason to sell men more stuff.

Do I feel that on Father’s Day I have been recognized appropriately by my son’s or family for my positive   actions?  No, not really.  It got to a point in the past where I would reward myself on Father’s Day and go do something on my own.  Do I need the recognition?  No, not really.  My positive actions were voluntarily not so I would get nice gifts on Father’s Day.  Yes, it would be nice to see my son’s do something special for me on Father’s Day.

How have I recognized my father on Father’s Day?  I send the traditional card and in the past I may have sent cash or purchased an item.  Plus of course the all time popular phone call to wish him a happy Father’s Day.  When I was a child I don’t recall any big Father’s Day celebrations in our household. 

To all those fathers who sacrificed for your family, and who tried to do the best for your family, Happy Father’s Day.  Your reward is the memory of the smiles and joy you brought to your children’s lives over the years.  Your reward is seeing them lead a positive and productive life.  Maybe you were an influence to the lifestyle they now lead.  Really, we don’t need one official day of the year to recognize anyone.  We honor people at any time we want to.  Kids, honor both your parents at any opportunity you are given.

One Black Man's Opinion on Attending Church Services

It’s the same every time.  The women outnumber the men.  The women greet other women with smiles and hugs of acknowledgement.  I give a courtesy “hello” and continue walking.  Or if the woman is a hugger/greeter, I return the church hug greeting.  As I take my seat I survey the audience again mentally noting how few men are in attendance.  Those who are fall into the category of security, ministers, or other male volunteers performing a service. 

I wonder why more men are not present?  Is it that some men do not feel comfortable with another man telling them how to run their household?  Is it that a man tires of hearing his wife talk about the pastor in glowing terms that the wife may seldom use about her spouse?  Is it just that the emotional nature of the church service does not appeal to an action based man?  I will let other men speak for themselves.  Me, I attend with my spouse.  It’s something to do with other people.   A communal worshiping of our Creator.  I figure if I can give 2 hours plus of my time attending a professional basketball game at a ridiculous price to watch grown men play with a ball, I can at least give an hour and a half in praise and listening to scriptures about our Creator.  I don’t have to give an offering.  It could be a free event if I chose to make it so.

I see the occasional male/female couple in church.  Sometimes their body language indicates at what stage their relationship is at.  If there is a gap between their place in the pew or little eye contact like two men in a restroom, the indication is they are working through a bump in their relationship.  If they are cuddled together, or the man has his arm around the lady, they are totally emotionally synchronized for the worship service.  It’s a positive to see a couple or a family in church together.

As the worship team starts singing and the worship leader exhorts the audience to actively participate, I attempt to focus on the reason why I am there.  The concept is that we are all there to praise our Creator and offer thanks in a community type event.  The worship leader exhorts us to clap, raise our hands, open our mouths, clap, and sing along.  The directions are fine, and I’m sure they serve a purpose.  But at times I really don’t want to be instructed on how I personally should worship.  We all may worship differently and at a time that fits our emotional connection with our Creator.  So most of the time I don’t follow the orders to raise my hands or sing.  I want to react and participate in the way I want to express myself when I feel and want to express myself.

After the cursory two songs designed it seems to allow time for the Pastor to arrive and get settled, then comes the message of the day.  I sometimes wonder what inspires the message of the day?  Or if there is no inspiration does the minister pull from one of his “greatest hits” sermons that have worked before?  Either way, the point seems to be that someone in the audience is reached by the message and hopefully inspired to do better.

Being in the 50 plus age bracket, most of the messages are things I have heard before.  So, I don’t get much original “wow” moments from the message of the pastor.  My thought is that at my age I know what is right and what is wrong.  Either you do right because you want to or you do wrong because you want to.  We have the ability to stop doing wrong at any time.  Ministers seem to help us remember that we have the ability to stop doing wrong and attempt to inspire us to get back onto the correct path in life.  The sermon therefore serves a purpose.  For me it is mainly a reminder.

I also believe that one reason for gathering together in church is to ensure that enough money is gathered to keep the church functioning.  But with the internet age upon us, and the age of video and streaming, it would seem that actually physically being in a church to worship and collect funds is not a requirement.  Who says you can’t  “have church” from your living room with the family gathered around you?  We can always give money electronically to a church.  Even now in my church some give electronically rather than writing a check or depositing money in an envelope on Sunday.

Church services do seem to allow women to emotionally vent and release.  The songs allow many women to release the emotions that have built up over a course of time.  Tears flow, tissues are passed to them and the women may even shout out to release the emotions they are feeling.  Not to say that the few men who attend never express themselves emotionally.  I often wonder what the women are going through in their lives that results in this emotional release.

What would a church service be if the attendees were all men?  Well, I’ve been to all male group sessions at churches.  There is little releasing of emotion at these sessions.  It’s basically a factual sharing by men of what they think and maybe why.

I read my bible on my own.  That is my way of staying connected with the principles of Jesus Christ and our Creator.  In terms of knowledge gained, I really don’t get much out of the sermons I have heard in church.  They are a regurgitation of what I’ve heard before.  So for me I’m looking for something new and revealing that I haven’t heard before.  Otherwise I don’t need someone to repeat something that I can read on my own.   That is where I am at in my life’s journey.  For me turning on my computer, or a television to connect to a church service would be fine.  I used to assist with intake of new members into the church.  That is the point in the service where the pastor offers people the chance to give their lives to Christ or to join the church.  At that point having someone physically available to connect with you is important.  But, if conditions ever exist where people cannot get out of their homes to go to a church building, the internet age can suffice as a medium to connect people to a community church service.

For me the church service is a community event that is just one option of communicating with our Creator.  If it works for you that is great.  But for me it doesn’t provide any advantage that would come from reading my bible, or watching a service on television or streamed on my computer.  It is our actions that indicate our relationship to our Creator.  I’d rather perform actions during the week that show my relationship.  The Sunday or even midweek services don’t provide me with any inspiration that I already don’t have.  But, if you need to be in church, then continue to be there.