Saturday Morning Commentary: What Are We Becoming?

      I am going to attempt to write about a very sensitive subject.  The ongoing trial of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin has consumed our national conscience and the mainstream media.  "Justice" is a word that has been at the forefront of this firestorm.  And yes, Trayvon deserves justice, as does the man on trial, Zimmerman.
     By strict definition, "Justice" is the quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law in court, before a jury of your peers.  In common language, it means punishment and retribution, as administered in the realm of fair-mindedness and impartiality.
     The anger over the death of young Trayvon has been well documented in the media.  But the story has become even bigger than this unfortunate loss of life.  It threatens to rip our society apart at the seams, yet the media remains silent.  Let me explain.
     Since the Martin case, there have been three horrific attacks on innocent victims, all in the name of "Justice for Trayvon".  In Chicago, a 19-year-old boy was viciously attacked with a tree branch.  In Mobile, Alabama, a man lies in critical condition after being beaten by an angry mob, allegedly armed with steel pipes, paint cans and chairs.  And perhaps the most disturbing to me, is the story of a 13-year-old boy who was walking home from school when he was attacked, had gasoline thrown on him, and was then set on fire.  His injuries are horrendous.

     I will not add to these senseless and hate-filled crimes by printing photos, engaging in racial commentaries, or judging the attackers.  That is not my objective today.
     I want to know, where is the media on these stories?  Where are our society's responsible leaders?  I don't care what color of skin you are; we need to treat each other with respect and honor!  If we are going to avoid descending into chaos and evil, we must love our neighbor!  Yes, even as hard as that may be!  (Read my post tomorrow on the Golden Rule).  True; the Martin/Zimmerman case brings forward many issues that need to be addressed.  But more violence is not the answer.
     Why aren't the media and the community leaders decrying these crimes as well?  They could play an important role in calming the volatile and reckless undercurrents surrounding this case.  So why are they silent?  Do they truly believe in "Justice for all?"  Or just "Justice" when it suits their political agendas?  Are we that desensitized against the suffering of another human being?  Without respect and decency towards each other, we will only degenerate into barbarism.
     I know these events are only a microcosm of what is going on in the world; in Syria .... in Egypt .... in Iran .... in Africa.  Thousands of innocent victims are dying because of the evil of mankind against his brother.  And that Evil is growing.  So will we succumb to the deception of Evil and willingly attack each other?  Or will we follow a higher standard and refuse to give in to hate and the darkness of our souls?  It's pretty obvious to me that those in positions of authority are ignoring the growing rage.  We must not answer this brutality with more hostility!  We must be the responsible ones and stand for a power greater than Hate.

Psalm 97:10      "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."