Senior Values

by Lynn Stewart

What has happened to our values, our regard for people? Whatever happened to respect, particularly for elders? Have we lost these fundamental values? This week, I feel compelled to address how the misplaced and or dysfunctional code of ethics in the community about "snitching" is causing harm to our elderly population, our children and the rest of the community, as well.

Increasingly, we read in the newspapers or see on television media accounts about the elderly and our children becoming victims of vicious crimes, all because too many of us refuse to become involved or report crime when we see it. We used to respect all of the old timers. Today, we permit them to become prey. Something is wrong.

It is imperative that we take inventory of our own beliefs, especially with those associated with reporting, supporting and protecting our neighbors, our families, our community. This new system of withholding information or refusing to interfere when we see people being assaulted is destructive and encourages increased crime. There is nothing positive about this new phenomenon called not "snitching"!

In Detroit, a 92-year-old World War II veteran was struck 21 times outside a discount store, captured on camera, with people standing a car away and no one screamed, offered help, called the police or blew their horns. In St. Louis, a woman was struck to the ground, with several limbs broken, for a purse with $ 5 in it. In Atlanta, a senior’s purse was stolen inside the grocery store and no one tried to stop the thief. The behavior is totally criminal, totally disrespectful for the aged and irresponsible for the people who refuse to help. It could be your Mother, Grandmother, Papa or DAD.

The good book says unless we honor and protect those unable to protect themselves, we will perish! We cannot be afraid to speak out against the wrong doings taking place in our community.

We all have the right to make choices. I choose to intervene or speak out when I see a crime being committed against anyone, particularly our youth and our elderly. The issue has nothing to do with "snitching." It has everything to do with protecting the most vulnerable and preserving community. The criminals are in the minority; we are in the majority. Preserve your majority position and protect at the same time. We deserve peace, security and the pursuit of happiness, and we are called upon to protect it from the lawless!