As the Baltimore homicide rate climbs to a record number, a term that has not been frequently heard is “respect for life.”
Regardless of class, color, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, a central concept for human beings is respecting the life of all other people.
In hospital emergency rooms, at natural catastrophes, in medic transport vehicles, and in neighborhoods throughout America, citizens and first responders make heroic attempts to save precious lives. It is a natural response to save and respect life. But perhaps
it is not as commonplace in metropolitan areas, where drugs and guns prevail.
Unfortunately, significant amounts of tax free drug deals and self-centered feelings of importance are contributing factors that fuel the lack of respect for life.
This is an unfortunate and tragic circumstance; however, it is not only found in crime-ridden Baltimore, but in many locations across the country. The situation in Baltimore, as well as other similar places, needs national leadership and attention from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. Even in our nation’s Capitol, respect for life is now under attack, resulting in a record number of slayings thus far this year.
In addition to implementing new policies regarding community policing, one of the root causes for the spate of murders and crime activity has to be a wanton disregard for human life. Yes, all lives do matter, as evidenced by the assassination of two television staff, in Roanoke, Virginia demonstrates. Statistics prove that homicides in the inner city are unfortunately black on black crimes. There must be abundant feelings in that community that a respect for life is indeed a central ingredient of the human condition.
There are two pertinent quotes from a couple of very different, famous, and distinguished Americans regarding the respect of human life, trust, and understanding. The trailblazing American baseball player Jackie Robinson said, “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…All I ask is you respect me as a human being.”
And late General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower told Americans, “This world of ours…must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.”
Although those comments came when America was in a different time and place, the wisdom and sentiments express, hopefully, the universal beliefs of human beings today.
Baltimore and the rest of the nation cannot afford to continue being decimated by murder and uncontrolled street violence.
Real conversations, real action by the authorities, and real intervention by churches are all needed now. Not just window dressing programs and slogans by city officials. Not just minimal changes and involvement in police tactics and not just lip service by the clergy. All of these institutions need to step up to the plate and emphasize that a key element of public safety in neighborhoods is respect for life.
Reality demands action and leadership. Surely, in a city of over 600,000 citizens, leaders can be found, and agencies, institutions, and the business sectors actually collaborate. This requires the involvement of the political will of voters, timely and competent leadership by elected officials, and the steady and committed action of the churches.
Baltimore City must act now to shed the scars of riots, looting, and destruction…the ongoing reputation for crime and lawlessness. The inequities of the past, and possibilities for the future, must be addressed now while many citizens still demonstrate a respect for life.
MARY WOOD says
Leadership is indeed needed to stop violence and killing. Very few Leaders , however, seem to mention gun control . The N.R.A. has shown little respect for life.
Stephan Sonn says
Possibly the best take Fletcher has ever written here.
Understanding that the social science brilliance of Eisenhower
requires a lost state of mind that few appreciate in these times.