Behind The Trigger

Mama Said Knock You Out

For generations mothers and fathers have helped their children by telling them get back out there and fight that bully, “stand up for yourself, no else will.” This is a concept that has always worked, but not today. Fights are no longer fair and worst of all, parents are no longer of the same mindset. It is a wonder that children growing up in this day and age are even able to stand on their own two feet.

Young people live in fear today because you never know who the next Columbine killer is going to be. There was a time when you could duke it out with your fists, but now schools have metal detectors for catching would-be-killers carrying guns and knives. Instead of taking a few punches and kick to stand up for your resolve children run out and get knives and guns, really who could blame them though when all they see on television and on the news are people who kill to get what they want; and this is including our own government butchering people to benefits the pockets of a few. How can they learn anything different?

Fighting in school use to carry a stiff penalty of detention or maybe suspension at the worse. Today, not only do you have to fear weapons, but you also have to fear the parents of the bully bringing the law to arrest you. Imagine that huh? Being arrested for defending yourself. The legal system here has gotten absolutely ridiculous, catering to stupidity. Recently a young man I knew (lets call him Malcolm) was surround on a school playground and harassed by young Caucasians calling him derogatory racial names. He tried to peacefully leave the scene but could not, so he pushed the leader of the assault who fell on his butt, Malcolm seized this opportunity and ran off. I applaud his efforts, but what did he get for it; suspended from school and the parents of the harassing youngsters went to the police and had him charged with assault. Had his mother not charged the other youngsters with harassment, the charges wouldn’t have been dropped. Defending yourself these days is legally a crime and that is a shame.

Take for instance the plight of the Palestinians, you are sleeping in your home one night and the next someone comes and “legally” gives it to someone else, would you wonder homeless or fight for what is yours. They fought, but have nothing to fight with and so they are slaughtered and no one has lifted a finger to help them. Shame I say on Israel for doing to others what was done to them; shame on the world for looking the other way.

I see a generation of young people ravaged by the consequences of sex, drug and alcohol. It is their entertainment and it is their crutch when things are not going their way. I was taught to fight for what I believe in and for what I want out of life, not to rely on crutches. The sad thing of it all is that this is a result of parent over compensating for either too much discipline when they were growing up or not having enough when growing up. Some time ago I was at a friend’s house, our children were out running around the house playing when we heard on of them fall. Before the sound of the fall had time to dissipate, he had flown up three flight of stair grabbing the boy to find out what was wrong while the boy was crying hysterically. At first glance he seems to be the caring parent while I am the monster that didn’t bother to check on my children. Here is how I see it, one he probably frightened his son and that was why he was really crying. More importantly how can the child grow up with any strength of character when always being coddled when faced with adversity? If my children were hurt and really hurt, they would let me know and I would take care of it, but as it stand now, they know the difference between being hurt and really hurt where they need mommy and daddy’s help. If it is bumps and bruises, they know to suck it up and move on, because that is life.

If tomorrow is to be saved, we have to get back to some basics; children have to go up to the school or neighborhood bully and tell them, “mama said knock you out.” We need to let our children fight through their adversities on their own, help them when they need it, but not do it for them.

By Dacrax