Women of Courage

More schools were locked down in LA this week in the wake of a shooting spree at a bus stop that ended with five children and three adults wounded. At first the shooting suggested a random act of violence--a crazy man with a gun firing into the crowd. This, of course, caused an escalation of the fear that always grips the city. Random violence means anyone can be the next victim.

But then, there was a small sigh of relief. It appears this shooting was gang related--one target and the others innocent bystanders. Phew, things are back to normal. Gang violence is part of life here, like the beaches and the mountains. You gotta take the good with the bad. As long as the gangs are mainly shooting each other, life goes on.

DOES NO ONE ELSE SEE THE INSANITY IN THIS REASONING?

Now, there were calls for increased police protection and I heard a very eloquent council woman speaking out against the violence and I applaud her. But, it's going to take a critical mass change of attitude in LA for there to be any true change.

My next thought is: what are the mothers doing? Surely there are many women in thousands of households across the city feeding and raising these gang members. They aren't robots with guns. When will the women recognize their power and begin turning things around?

Women can make a tremendous difference when they quit being victims, refuse to accept with the unending cycles of violence. Think it can't be done?

Look to Ireland. In the 1970's Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan met at the funeral of Mairead's young nieces and nephews. Betty had witnessed their violent deaths on the streets of Belfast. They decided enough was enough. Decades of hate must come to an end. They formed Women of Peace, later changed to Community of Peace People and began non-violent marches for peace. They met with a lot of opposition, had their lives threatened, were injured and beaten. But like Gandhi, they grasped the concept that peaceful power is stronger than force. People began to change their behaviors. The women were awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. Ireland is a much better place today.

LA can be a better place, also. The cycles can be broken, the chains of gang enslavement snapped. It can begin with the women.

Oh Lord, raise up women of courage, strength, and wisdom in this city. Let them see beyond the past, free them from hopelessness, deliver them from apathy. Begin a new work through You of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

So be it,
Mother T