“I must do something” always solves more problems than “Something must be done.”
~Author Unknown
When I published yesterday’s post, I expected two basic reactions: Good for you or You should be more careful.
I did not expect this:
You played cop over a sticker, lol. Bet you think you’re some hero now.
*unsubscribes*
That comment was beautifully articulated by Benjamin Solah, or Benjamin SoLONG as Kimmelin referred to him two dozen high fives later.
My response:
Benjamin: With a wide web between us, I’m unable to properly measure your sarcasm, so I’ll take your question straight.
No, I don’t think I’m a hero. I saved no one, and was considering my needs during the entire confrontation. Such are not the actions of a hero. I do all I can to make my neighborhood safe and friendly. The gaggle of hoods who stroll our streets, intimidating others and destroying property, are able to do so because no one is willing to stand up to them. They are not plastering a political message, or working toward change. They are simply being destructive, making the neighborhood feel unsafe, and wasting the time of others. The story wasn’t about a sticker. It was about a disrespectful bully. This is clearly written. I imagine you must have your own issues with authority to respond as you did.
Yesterday’s comment wasn’t Benjamin’s first. When someone takes the time to comment on Writer Dad, I do my best to stop by their site. So I already knew Benjamin was a “Marxist revolutionary with a passion for writing fiction which shines a mirror on capitalism to reflect its innate horror.”
Obviously I’m not convincing Benji of anything.
A few hours later, Benjamin dropped another comment.
Writer Dad, I’m know I’m gonna cause a fuss, but I actually disagree with what you did. It’s a sticker, get over it. Do you really think you’re such a hero for making a kid peel a sticker off a stop sign? Does it matter at all?
No (again), I do not consider myself a hero, and yes it matters:
Benjamin: I understand your perspective, but it isn’t JUST a sticker. It’s pandemic. I live in a ghetto where public and private property are defaced daily. Stop signs get postal labels slapped on them, obscenities follow. The labels take half an hour to scrape off. My half hour, that I don’t have. If I don’t scrape the labels, they multiply. Exactly like graffiti. We paint over that immediately as well. You don’t have to agree, but I corrected a neighborhood bully while he was disrespecting community property in front of our preschool where we endeavor to teach our little ones respect. I did so with control and manners. Observing vandalism, and doing nothing, is apathy. That’s not me.
I’m not a Marxist, so perhaps the logic’s lost on me. Benjamin tried to help me understand:
Sorry, I still think it’s all relative. Why is he sticking that sticker there? Why has he got nothing better to than to graffiti (aside from the fact some people actually find graffiti beautiful, as opposed to neat and perfect coz it looks unlived and inhuman IMO) but you said you live in a ghetto. So isn’t poverty more of an issue?
I’ve lived in areas where graffiti is rife, but it never bothered me, because the things around it were so much worse. I think when you look at businesses on the verge of being bailed out to the tune of $700 Billion, this poor kid gets ignored and the only way he gets noticed is to slap a sticker on a stop sign.
Many of you are probably wondering what Benjamin did to deserve this dedication. Nothing. It’s not about him. He just happened to be the voice of ignorance (no offense, Benjamin. Failed political infrastructure will do that).
This kid was victim of nothing. He slapped the sticker on the stop sign because no one taught him different. He’s one of the miscreants who meander around, mutilating their morals. They do not create art or anything else. Their graffiti is a sequence of barely legible letters, awkwardly scrawled onto the sidewalk (or the walls, windows, car doors, or anything they can get away with) in sharpie.
Poverty isn’t the issue, it’s respect. The kid was wearing an ipod, as do most of the kids in my neighborhood. I’ve got a shuffle, his was a touch, but at least I have manners.
I don’t understand people who, regardless of the facts, assume aggressor as victim, and hand out excuses like candy.
Benjamin, a $700 Billion dollar bailout has nothing to do with the fact that Mr. Mini-Thug needed to learn a lesson in simple human decency. He tried to look cool, and got faced instead. He accepted his consequence. Why can’t you?
Writer Dad
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About Sean Platt
I visited his site yesterday because his comment caught my attention right away. We exchanged a couple of emails. He knew he wouldn’t be making friends from that comment.
I told him at very least, it would be the cause of a good discussion.
I don’t see the connection between world/country economy and and kids making a mess of their city. We’re slowly becoming a worldwide community, but that doesn’t mean we can’t focus on our children’s morals and bad habits because their are “bigger” issues out there.
The iPod Touch is a testament that this kid is most likely a spoiled brat with no real manners or sense of pride in or for his community.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
I visited his site yesterday because his comment caught my attention right away. We exchanged a couple of emails. He knew he wouldn’t be making friends from that comment.
I told him at very least, it would be the cause of a good discussion.
I don’t see the connection between world/country economy and and kids making a mess of their city. We’re slowly becoming a worldwide community, but that doesn’t mean we can’t focus on our children’s morals and bad habits because their are “bigger” issues out there.
The iPod Touch is a testament that this kid is most likely a spoiled brat with no real manners or sense of pride in or for his community.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
*waits for hoardes of Writer Dad groupies to attack his site for being a crazy commo*
I usually keep my mouth shut because you’ve so obviously simplified my argument down.
*waits for hoardes of Writer Dad groupies to attack his site for being a crazy commo*
I usually keep my mouth shut because you’ve so obviously simplified my argument down.
Matthew: He is a spoiled brat, and it has nothing to do with the economy.
Benjamin: Your blog is your home in the blogoshpere. I’m sure that others will respect it. I don’t see how I could have possibly simplified your argument. I used your words verbatim.
Matthew: He is a spoiled brat, and it has nothing to do with the economy.
Benjamin: Your blog is your home in the blogoshpere. I’m sure that others will respect it. I don’t see how I could have possibly simplified your argument. I used your words verbatim.
Thanks, I don’t mind the publicity. My blog could use it. But as you might understand, Marxism is not a popular movement at the moment and all too often people can think I’m some supporter of Stalinism or Cuba, or dictatorships that I actually don’t think are socialist.
It was your response that simplified my argument down. My two main arguments are that fighting graffiti is small fry compared to fighting some real problems in society like poverty.
This kid may not be poor, but “anti-social behavior” like this can’t just be simplified down to him being an ignorant brat, or even his upbringing. People’s behaviour doesn’t come out of thin air and there are usually reasons for his behavior.
Playing cop doesn’t change a thing. If you want lasting change, you have to eliminate what caused the behavior.
Thanks, I don’t mind the publicity. My blog could use it. But as you might understand, Marxism is not a popular movement at the moment and all too often people can think I’m some supporter of Stalinism or Cuba, or dictatorships that I actually don’t think are socialist.
It was your response that simplified my argument down. My two main arguments are that fighting graffiti is small fry compared to fighting some real problems in society like poverty.
This kid may not be poor, but “anti-social behavior” like this can’t just be simplified down to him being an ignorant brat, or even his upbringing. People’s behaviour doesn’t come out of thin air and there are usually reasons for his behavior.
Playing cop doesn’t change a thing. If you want lasting change, you have to eliminate what caused the behavior.
@Writer Dad: Agreed.
@Benjamin: I don’t imagine any of the readers here would come slap a proverbial postal-sticker on your header. I don’t think this is a direct attack on you, he’s just making a point about the kid’s attitude and morals.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
@Writer Dad: Agreed.
@Benjamin: I don’t imagine any of the readers here would come slap a proverbial postal-sticker on your header. I don’t think this is a direct attack on you, he’s just making a point about the kid’s attitude and morals.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
@ Matthew: I don’t think Writer Dad is attacking me. Marxists love debate. We don’t take it personal, even if our language can often be snarky and I’m one to wear my heart on my sleave. It’s just in the past, readers have taken it to dive in and attack me in very simplistic ways.
@ Matthew: I don’t think Writer Dad is attacking me. Marxists love debate. We don’t take it personal, even if our language can often be snarky and I’m one to wear my heart on my sleave. It’s just in the past, readers have taken it to dive in and attack me in very simplistic ways.
I don’t think he met the parents or guardians of this kid.
I think the answer really does come down to his upbringing. I doubt he was slapping a sticker on the sign to get attention, as it would have be counter-productive to his attempt to avoid being caught.
Some kids just do stuff because they’re bored and something went wrong with the way they were raised. Doesn’t mean they need to deface public property.
(Sorry for the double-post.)
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
I don’t think he met the parents or guardians of this kid.
I think the answer really does come down to his upbringing. I doubt he was slapping a sticker on the sign to get attention, as it would have be counter-productive to his attempt to avoid being caught.
Some kids just do stuff because they’re bored and something went wrong with the way they were raised. Doesn’t mean they need to deface public property.
(Sorry for the double-post.)
Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Might Like Me (But Only As A Friend)
Benjamin – Why judge Writer Dad for taking a stand by doing something which he believes will help his neighborhood? While one could argue that Writer Dad should be tending to some greater social evil, who are we to say what he should be doing with HIS time on this planet? How do we know he’s not already doing something for mankind’s greater good? He IS a teacher who works with children. Perhaps that is where he is best able to “make a difference”. Maybe it’s writing things.
Does that mean he should simply sit by and watch while someone defaces his community?
This victim mentality that the poor kid was acting out for some “reason” holds no water. He is still responsible for his own actions. You can trace the roots of most bad behavior to various sources. But the sad fact is, sometimes people just do things because they can. Maybe they think it’s funny, maybe they think it doesn’t matter, maybe they like destroying other people’s stuff out of some sense of entitlement and misplaced anger at society which they blame for their crappy lives. I’ve seen my fair share of this mentality from rich and poor kids alike.
Perhaps this kid’s actions could be traced to not having a strong adult role model. Perhaps Writer Dad’s stopping him was just the sort of thing this kid needed to “Wake up” and realize that his actions have consequences, that the world is something greater than his personal playground.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight Questions – Interview with Barbara Swafford of Blogging Without a Blog
Benjamin – Why judge Writer Dad for taking a stand by doing something which he believes will help his neighborhood? While one could argue that Writer Dad should be tending to some greater social evil, who are we to say what he should be doing with HIS time on this planet? How do we know he’s not already doing something for mankind’s greater good? He IS a teacher who works with children. Perhaps that is where he is best able to “make a difference”. Maybe it’s writing things.
Does that mean he should simply sit by and watch while someone defaces his community?
This victim mentality that the poor kid was acting out for some “reason” holds no water. He is still responsible for his own actions. You can trace the roots of most bad behavior to various sources. But the sad fact is, sometimes people just do things because they can. Maybe they think it’s funny, maybe they think it doesn’t matter, maybe they like destroying other people’s stuff out of some sense of entitlement and misplaced anger at society which they blame for their crappy lives. I’ve seen my fair share of this mentality from rich and poor kids alike.
Perhaps this kid’s actions could be traced to not having a strong adult role model. Perhaps Writer Dad’s stopping him was just the sort of thing this kid needed to “Wake up” and realize that his actions have consequences, that the world is something greater than his personal playground.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight Questions – Interview with Barbara Swafford of Blogging Without a Blog
“His actions have consequences.”
Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.
“His actions have consequences.”
Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.
I’m not sure if it’s failing economy, the governmental ineptitude or solar flares, but this is the third polarized discussion on the blogosphere today.
And, although, I don’t think anyone needs me to interject my opinions on where I personally stand on the matter, I will say the theme of respect is very clear from both sides.
Whether it’s a sticker or a blog comment respect is essential in how we interact with others. What I can respect with regard to this discussion is that both sides are willing to defend a point of view they believe in.
Who’s right or wrong is now a matter of ethics and values. A breakdown in these and respect for others goes out the window. That said, is poverty the more serious problem or is the defacing of property a symptom in that it’s a lack of self respect from living in poverty? Do you focus on one or the other or both at the same time?
Point being, in a way you’re both right.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..Oh (No) Canada!
I’m not sure if it’s failing economy, the governmental ineptitude or solar flares, but this is the third polarized discussion on the blogosphere today.
And, although, I don’t think anyone needs me to interject my opinions on where I personally stand on the matter, I will say the theme of respect is very clear from both sides.
Whether it’s a sticker or a blog comment respect is essential in how we interact with others. What I can respect with regard to this discussion is that both sides are willing to defend a point of view they believe in.
Who’s right or wrong is now a matter of ethics and values. A breakdown in these and respect for others goes out the window. That said, is poverty the more serious problem or is the defacing of property a symptom in that it’s a lack of self respect from living in poverty? Do you focus on one or the other or both at the same time?
Point being, in a way you’re both right.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..Oh (No) Canada!
I live in Berlin, where we have similar problems.
I think that one the one hand, disrespectful behaviour of kids has its social origins. But – though it might be explained by society having failed in some ways, it cannot be tolerated. And I’ve sometimes the impression, that kids are waiting for adults setting borders for them, telling them what to do, giving them structures.
Just my 2cents,
Ulla
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Silence and Peace
I live in Berlin, where we have similar problems.
I think that one the one hand, disrespectful behaviour of kids has its social origins. But – though it might be explained by society having failed in some ways, it cannot be tolerated. And I’ve sometimes the impression, that kids are waiting for adults setting borders for them, telling them what to do, giving them structures.
Just my 2cents,
Ulla
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Silence and Peace
I can only say, Writer Dad, that you did the right thing. It was a small thing (a sticker) – but it’s the whole idea behind it. That of showing no respect for others or property.
Keep fighting the good fight…
Lances last blog post..Winds of Change
I can only say, Writer Dad, that you did the right thing. It was a small thing (a sticker) – but it’s the whole idea behind it. That of showing no respect for others or property.
Keep fighting the good fight…
Lances last blog post..Winds of Change
Writer Dad, I think you absolutely did the right thing. I’m not quite sure why Benjamin seems to be defending the vandal. Maybe I’m misreading the meanings behind his comments, but vandalism is vandalism, no matter who’s doing it or why. It doesn’t matter if the vandal is spoiled, has a low income or bad parents or no parental guidance, although he did mention his grandma, he’s still being a vandal.
Yes, there are reasons for his behavior, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. My guess is this kid has never had anyone call him on his actions. Writer Dad did. Maybe it’s the first step in causing that kid to reconsider what he’s going to do with his time. Maybe not. Maybe nothing will change and he’ll just go to a different stop sign. Either way, Writer Dad’s pebble has made ripples in the pond. It’s not a big pebble he threw out there, but because people saw what he did, there will be ripples. The question now becomes are they big ripples or little ones? Will others see WD’s actions and ignore them or, hopefully, will they start to reconsider the apathy in their own lives and encourage change. One person’s action can and often does make a difference.
I think CK has it right. It all comes down to a matter of respect. Respecting property, respecting others, respecting ideas. This is a great debate and one that I’m sure will go on and on.
Ripples…
Kool Aids last blog post..Question of the day
Writer Dad, I think you absolutely did the right thing. I’m not quite sure why Benjamin seems to be defending the vandal. Maybe I’m misreading the meanings behind his comments, but vandalism is vandalism, no matter who’s doing it or why. It doesn’t matter if the vandal is spoiled, has a low income or bad parents or no parental guidance, although he did mention his grandma, he’s still being a vandal.
Yes, there are reasons for his behavior, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. My guess is this kid has never had anyone call him on his actions. Writer Dad did. Maybe it’s the first step in causing that kid to reconsider what he’s going to do with his time. Maybe not. Maybe nothing will change and he’ll just go to a different stop sign. Either way, Writer Dad’s pebble has made ripples in the pond. It’s not a big pebble he threw out there, but because people saw what he did, there will be ripples. The question now becomes are they big ripples or little ones? Will others see WD’s actions and ignore them or, hopefully, will they start to reconsider the apathy in their own lives and encourage change. One person’s action can and often does make a difference.
I think CK has it right. It all comes down to a matter of respect. Respecting property, respecting others, respecting ideas. This is a great debate and one that I’m sure will go on and on.
Ripples…
Kool Aids last blog post..Question of the day
Graffiti is no less important an issue than poverty, because it’s on the same unacceptable side of personal and social morals. Once we make allowances for things we’ve decided as a community aren’t acceptable behaviors, we’re all headed for trouble. The consensus is Writer Dad took a stance to defend what we have agreed is a public disservice and we all applaud him. If Benjamin wants make his stance with poverty, great. We each could take a stance on something different, but that doesn’t mean we should be blind to others’ banner waving on other fronts.
Julies last blog post..Somewhere On The Circle
Graffiti is no less important an issue than poverty, because it’s on the same unacceptable side of personal and social morals. Once we make allowances for things we’ve decided as a community aren’t acceptable behaviors, we’re all headed for trouble. The consensus is Writer Dad took a stance to defend what we have agreed is a public disservice and we all applaud him. If Benjamin wants make his stance with poverty, great. We each could take a stance on something different, but that doesn’t mean we should be blind to others’ banner waving on other fronts.
Julies last blog post..Somewhere On The Circle
Oops, sorry. …or attack them, either, Benjamin for doing what we’ve agreed as a society is right.
Julies last blog post..Somewhere On The Circle
Oops, sorry. …or attack them, either, Benjamin for doing what we’ve agreed as a society is right.
Julies last blog post..Somewhere On The Circle
Benjamin – Either you are missing my point or trolling for attention. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and further try to explain my point.
All too often things continue only because nobody stands up to them. This can be something on a small scale such as what is happening in Writer Dad’s neighborhood or as large scale as corrupt political systems. When there is resistance, it causes one to step back and consider their actions.
Sometimes in that reflection, they will seek only to continue their ways, to prop themselves up and justify their ideas and actions. Other times, they will consider other points of view, and … change their minds and their actions.
The problem with the victim mentality is that you shortchange the victim by taking away their personal responsibility. You don’t respect them enough to hold them up to the standards of society. You deny them the ability to change or better themselves by telling them that the cards are stacked against them, anyway so why bother? In turn, you continue to ensure that things will never change because you don’t allow it.
The funny thing is, those who oppress others rely on the victim mentality to continue the cycle and ensure that everyone maintains their roles – victims and oppressors.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Most embarrasing moment EVER
Benjamin – Either you are missing my point or trolling for attention. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and further try to explain my point.
All too often things continue only because nobody stands up to them. This can be something on a small scale such as what is happening in Writer Dad’s neighborhood or as large scale as corrupt political systems. When there is resistance, it causes one to step back and consider their actions.
Sometimes in that reflection, they will seek only to continue their ways, to prop themselves up and justify their ideas and actions. Other times, they will consider other points of view, and … change their minds and their actions.
The problem with the victim mentality is that you shortchange the victim by taking away their personal responsibility. You don’t respect them enough to hold them up to the standards of society. You deny them the ability to change or better themselves by telling them that the cards are stacked against them, anyway so why bother? In turn, you continue to ensure that things will never change because you don’t allow it.
The funny thing is, those who oppress others rely on the victim mentality to continue the cycle and ensure that everyone maintains their roles – victims and oppressors.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Most embarrasing moment EVER
Benjamin: Fighting vandalism is small fry compared to fighting poverty, but you still fight a your cold, even when you have cancer.
This is my neighborhood. I see these kids all the time. He is an overindulged, oversized bully, who is used to getting his way and not being challenged. You keep saying I played cop, I didn’t. I played Daddy, which is exactly what that kid needs. Whether you realize it or not, people need boundaries. That kid is still deciding who he’s going to be. There was a lesson taught, and many saw. This is important, and it does elevate a community. You are allowing your ideology to shape your view on something that is clearly wrong. Standing up for your basic rights is something that even Karl Marx would have applauded.
You say your argument is simplified, yet you are the one saying things like this:
“Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.”
That was in response to Blogger Dad’s comment:
“His actions have consequences.”
Seems simplified to me. Again (I feel like I’m talking to a toddler), it isn’t about graffiti, it’s about personal responsibility. When I was a kid, we were on welfare, but we pulled ourselves out of it by having personal responsibility. You behave with arrogance when you believe that being poor is an excuse for not owning your actions.
CK Lunchbox: Where I live, there is a lack of respect in both the affluent neighborhoods as well as our own. I think it has far more to do with our culture than our economy. You are always welcome to interject your opinions. Every time I see your name, I picture your site and all the awesome Fleischer images. It always makes me smile.
Ula: You’re absolutely right. Boundaries make all the difference.
Lance: That, I will. Thanks.
Kool Aid: Your perspective is dead on. Benjamin is defending the vandal because his political perspective places him always on the side of the underdog, or working class. What he is failing to realize, is that I am the working class. I work sixty hours a week teaching children, buy almost nothing non essential, and am happy when my mortgage is paid three days before it is due. Most of these kids, live in subsidized housing and get assistance for all their needs.
Julie: Exactly. Just because I asked the vandal to be accountable, doesn’t mean I don’t care about poverty.
Blogger Dad: What can I say? You’ve articulated yourself beautifully. I think, better than I. You’ve said some amazing things here. This, my favorite:
“The problem with the victim mentality is that you shortchange the victim by taking away their personal responsibility. You don’t respect them enough to hold them up to the standards of society. You deny them the ability to change or better themselves by telling them that the cards are stacked against them, anyway so why bother? In turn, you continue to ensure that things will never change because you don’t allow it.”
I’m so glad we met.
Benjamin: Fighting vandalism is small fry compared to fighting poverty, but you still fight a your cold, even when you have cancer.
This is my neighborhood. I see these kids all the time. He is an overindulged, oversized bully, who is used to getting his way and not being challenged. You keep saying I played cop, I didn’t. I played Daddy, which is exactly what that kid needs. Whether you realize it or not, people need boundaries. That kid is still deciding who he’s going to be. There was a lesson taught, and many saw. This is important, and it does elevate a community. You are allowing your ideology to shape your view on something that is clearly wrong. Standing up for your basic rights is something that even Karl Marx would have applauded.
You say your argument is simplified, yet you are the one saying things like this:
“Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.”
That was in response to Blogger Dad’s comment:
“His actions have consequences.”
Seems simplified to me. Again (I feel like I’m talking to a toddler), it isn’t about graffiti, it’s about personal responsibility. When I was a kid, we were on welfare, but we pulled ourselves out of it by having personal responsibility. You behave with arrogance when you believe that being poor is an excuse for not owning your actions.
CK Lunchbox: Where I live, there is a lack of respect in both the affluent neighborhoods as well as our own. I think it has far more to do with our culture than our economy. You are always welcome to interject your opinions. Every time I see your name, I picture your site and all the awesome Fleischer images. It always makes me smile.
Ula: You’re absolutely right. Boundaries make all the difference.
Lance: That, I will. Thanks.
Kool Aid: Your perspective is dead on. Benjamin is defending the vandal because his political perspective places him always on the side of the underdog, or working class. What he is failing to realize, is that I am the working class. I work sixty hours a week teaching children, buy almost nothing non essential, and am happy when my mortgage is paid three days before it is due. Most of these kids, live in subsidized housing and get assistance for all their needs.
Julie: Exactly. Just because I asked the vandal to be accountable, doesn’t mean I don’t care about poverty.
Blogger Dad: What can I say? You’ve articulated yourself beautifully. I think, better than I. You’ve said some amazing things here. This, my favorite:
“The problem with the victim mentality is that you shortchange the victim by taking away their personal responsibility. You don’t respect them enough to hold them up to the standards of society. You deny them the ability to change or better themselves by telling them that the cards are stacked against them, anyway so why bother? In turn, you continue to ensure that things will never change because you don’t allow it.”
I’m so glad we met.
Benjamin,
Our community is respectful so I doubt you will have a run on your blog, I for one am not inclined to even click and I applaud your right to have a differing viewpoint.
You seem to be concerned about the great and very important cause of poverty which affects us all. Rightly so. My thoughts on poverty are this. Poverty begins as a mindset, a belief system that feels that success can not be achieved through whatever means are available. It is a social disease of apathy, ignorance, depression, and a lack of self and social respect. It will never be cured from the top down by giving hand outs or raining down cash or bail outs. It must be cured from the bottom up, by teaching self respect, education, hope, and belief in oneself to achieve dreams and goals and financial responsibility.
So does it really matter when one troubled or bored youth shows a lack of self discipline, social and self respect and a disregard for community? YES. True change will happen one person at a time.
I believe we all want the same end result. A world filled with love, peace and prosperity where no man, woman, or child is discriminated against or left behind to suffer or starve. Why argue on these small details of how to get the job done?
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Tealights and Time
Benjamin,
Our community is respectful so I doubt you will have a run on your blog, I for one am not inclined to even click and I applaud your right to have a differing viewpoint.
You seem to be concerned about the great and very important cause of poverty which affects us all. Rightly so. My thoughts on poverty are this. Poverty begins as a mindset, a belief system that feels that success can not be achieved through whatever means are available. It is a social disease of apathy, ignorance, depression, and a lack of self and social respect. It will never be cured from the top down by giving hand outs or raining down cash or bail outs. It must be cured from the bottom up, by teaching self respect, education, hope, and belief in oneself to achieve dreams and goals and financial responsibility.
So does it really matter when one troubled or bored youth shows a lack of self discipline, social and self respect and a disregard for community? YES. True change will happen one person at a time.
I believe we all want the same end result. A world filled with love, peace and prosperity where no man, woman, or child is discriminated against or left behind to suffer or starve. Why argue on these small details of how to get the job done?
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Tealights and Time
I read this quote from Benjamin:
My two main arguments are that fighting graffiti is small fry compared to fighting some real problems in society like poverty.
This kid may not be poor, but “anti-social behavior” like this can’t just be simplified down to him being an ignorant brat, or even his upbringing. People’s behaviour doesn’t come out of thin air and there are usually reasons for his behavior.
Playing cop doesn’t change a thing. If you want lasting change, you have to eliminate what caused the behavior.
It seems a bit contradictory to me. Poverty, I would argue, is one of those bigger issues that takes a heck of a lot more than one person to quell, and if the whole trajectory of this argument is to attack disrespect where it begins, then aren’t the “small problems” perhaps even more fundamental?
Personally, I get tired of disrespectful behaviour being chalked up to economic or social status, physical appearance, upbringing, etc. We have to do the best with the cards we are dealt. I know many people who have had difficult and what one might consider unfair lives, and yet they are still good human beings. They could have become rebellious jerk-offs and blamed it on that abusive father or having to live in a trailer for three years with no electricity, but instead they chose to be genuine people with strong values. In the same respect, I have met horrible, wretched human beings who have had everything in life handed to them on a silver platter.
At the core, I believe it’s a person’s choice who they come to be, what they represent, how they act in society. To constantly make excuses for that takes agency away from the individual and makes us seem like passive beasts who have our futures designed for us by the conditions of our lives. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I definitely like to think that I am the driving force of my own life, and that I am responsible to myself for the choices that I make. Even if I’ve had as bad a life as they come, if I’m presented with the opportunity to do something ethically wrong to get ahead or to prove a point, in the end, does it not come down to individual choice? If it didn’t, as an extreme example, I could go on a killing spree and say I couldn’t help it…because I live in a poor city, I feel alone, I don’t know how to socialize with others, etc. Does that really make immoral behaviour excusable?
Janines last blog post..Word on the Street.
I read this quote from Benjamin:
My two main arguments are that fighting graffiti is small fry compared to fighting some real problems in society like poverty.
This kid may not be poor, but “anti-social behavior” like this can’t just be simplified down to him being an ignorant brat, or even his upbringing. People’s behaviour doesn’t come out of thin air and there are usually reasons for his behavior.
Playing cop doesn’t change a thing. If you want lasting change, you have to eliminate what caused the behavior.
It seems a bit contradictory to me. Poverty, I would argue, is one of those bigger issues that takes a heck of a lot more than one person to quell, and if the whole trajectory of this argument is to attack disrespect where it begins, then aren’t the “small problems” perhaps even more fundamental?
Personally, I get tired of disrespectful behaviour being chalked up to economic or social status, physical appearance, upbringing, etc. We have to do the best with the cards we are dealt. I know many people who have had difficult and what one might consider unfair lives, and yet they are still good human beings. They could have become rebellious jerk-offs and blamed it on that abusive father or having to live in a trailer for three years with no electricity, but instead they chose to be genuine people with strong values. In the same respect, I have met horrible, wretched human beings who have had everything in life handed to them on a silver platter.
At the core, I believe it’s a person’s choice who they come to be, what they represent, how they act in society. To constantly make excuses for that takes agency away from the individual and makes us seem like passive beasts who have our futures designed for us by the conditions of our lives. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I definitely like to think that I am the driving force of my own life, and that I am responsible to myself for the choices that I make. Even if I’ve had as bad a life as they come, if I’m presented with the opportunity to do something ethically wrong to get ahead or to prove a point, in the end, does it not come down to individual choice? If it didn’t, as an extreme example, I could go on a killing spree and say I couldn’t help it…because I live in a poor city, I feel alone, I don’t know how to socialize with others, etc. Does that really make immoral behaviour excusable?
Janines last blog post..Word on the Street.
I hear what Benjamin is saying: remove the cause, whatever it might be, and effect greater change. Normally, I would agree, like getting to the root cause of an illness instead of masking the symptoms.
But in this case, regardless of cause, whether social, parental, personal, whatever, the fact remains that the dude was doing something with the intention of being malicious. You don’t leave that kind of thing to later sort out what might have caused it in the first place, you stop it in its tracks.
When a kid is doing something undesirable, you don’t analyse it first. You tell the kid to stop. You can explain why and you can analyse later, though since this dude was a strange, getting close enough to put him on a couch is unlikely.
What WD did was effect immediate change. His choice may actually have caused the “perp” to rethink his childish and mindless actions. You may say the sticker is small potatoes, but if the reason behind it is much bigger, the sticker isn’t small at all.
stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
I hear what Benjamin is saying: remove the cause, whatever it might be, and effect greater change. Normally, I would agree, like getting to the root cause of an illness instead of masking the symptoms.
But in this case, regardless of cause, whether social, parental, personal, whatever, the fact remains that the dude was doing something with the intention of being malicious. You don’t leave that kind of thing to later sort out what might have caused it in the first place, you stop it in its tracks.
When a kid is doing something undesirable, you don’t analyse it first. You tell the kid to stop. You can explain why and you can analyse later, though since this dude was a strange, getting close enough to put him on a couch is unlikely.
What WD did was effect immediate change. His choice may actually have caused the “perp” to rethink his childish and mindless actions. You may say the sticker is small potatoes, but if the reason behind it is much bigger, the sticker isn’t small at all.
stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
You’ve gotta nip that in the bud, I mean, before it gets bigger.
stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
You’ve gotta nip that in the bud, I mean, before it gets bigger.
stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
I really don’t know what Marxism has to do with anything. … ??
However, Vandalism was an offense in the Soviet Union, and I know of no political system that allows it.
That said, Blogger dad, I think you did the right thing. The kid might have issues, or not, but that’s no excuse.
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..Amorevolezza: 3 Steps to Diamonds of Kindness
I really don’t know what Marxism has to do with anything. … ??
However, Vandalism was an offense in the Soviet Union, and I know of no political system that allows it.
That said, Blogger dad, I think you did the right thing. The kid might have issues, or not, but that’s no excuse.
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..Amorevolezza: 3 Steps to Diamonds of Kindness
I had some things to say but what more is there to say. I think this subject has been covered.
~ Jim
IMO (had to say something!) Obviously poverty is more important that graffiti, but vandalism is something that should be checked. So, WD good work teaching the kid a lesson. With luck, he will understand what he is doing is wrong.
I had some things to say but what more is there to say. I think this subject has been covered.
~ Jim
IMO (had to say something!) Obviously poverty is more important that graffiti, but vandalism is something that should be checked. So, WD good work teaching the kid a lesson. With luck, he will understand what he is doing is wrong.
Oops I meant Writer Dad, but Blogger Dad did the right thing too
Help me Super – Dad :)
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..Amorevolezza: 3 Steps to Diamonds of Kindness
Oops I meant Writer Dad, but Blogger Dad did the right thing too
Help me Super – Dad :)
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..Amorevolezza: 3 Steps to Diamonds of Kindness
Hey Benjamin, you got your wish. Now your blog has publicity and you’ve got everyone engaged.
I agree with you that we should remove the “root cause” but you also have to understand that wars cannot be won without fighting and winning small battles…
You said, “Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.”
Believe it or not, that’s how it starts. And if you think I’m talking about graffiti here, then you will never see my point.
Hey Benjamin, you got your wish. Now your blog has publicity and you’ve got everyone engaged.
I agree with you that we should remove the “root cause” but you also have to understand that wars cannot be won without fighting and winning small battles…
You said, “Yes, the whole world is going to collapse because of the perils of graffiti.”
Believe it or not, that’s how it starts. And if you think I’m talking about graffiti here, then you will never see my point.