Leading the Blind

            I love the Oxford model of education. It advocates a close mentor-trainee relationship. The simple fact of the matter is the younger generation desires role models. People who are inspirational (whether for good or bad reasons). I mentor a young man. I’m mentored by an older man.

            Very little of what we do is really original. We see someone else do it, and that serves as the basis of how we go about that activity. If every child had a positive role model (or two), the world would be a better place because that child would grow to be like the person they admired.

            We model what we know. Too much of the younger generation has only experienced absentee fathers and mothers who work around the clock. Too many kids grow up without discipline or love.

            They grasp onto someone to follow, and they become that person. Their dad? He’s gone, so they grow up and become absent for their families. Their mom? She works and is gone also. They grow up and do the same thing. Celebrities? Many live pretty unfortunate lives themselves, but these kids still hold them high and try to be like them when they are older.

             We have an absence of positive influences in our culture. The Oxford model is the best out there, but it takes people who can actually be good mentors. We don’t have those, so kids grow up trying to be like people they shouldn’t. This leads to very, very unfortunate results that we are feeling now.

Know Today, So We'll Know a Different Tomorrow

            Advertising is powerful. I’m sucked in by those commercials of hurt animals and starving children. It would be almost sadistic except for the fact I don’t enjoy them suffering, but I’m still attracted to it. I don’t think that is sadism because I want to take their pain away.

            The thing that drives people like me is a vision for a better future. I know tomorrow can be better than today. I know it. But it takes the people of today to join with others and fight for it. We have to be the voice for those who cannot speak.

            I chose this blog topic for that reason. Both criminals and the abused cannot speak. Scratch that, the criminals can throughout their legacies. They are saying, “Don’t follow my road. There are better ways to impact society.”

            When people see criminals, they don’t pity them as they should. These people are the product of their childhood and their own mistakes. Yes, everyone is accountable for his or her actions. But people follow the beaten path. When that criminal’s beaten path set before him or her is crime, that’s what he or she will do.

            We can learn through other’s mistakes. This is secondhand learning, and it is invaluable. We have to take the time to get to know those who have made mistakes today, so we can teach the generation that will rule tomorrow not to make the same ones.

My Friend

            I have a friend who was abused as a child. Almost killed, in fact. As she got older, she started stealing and hurting herself. Eventually, through friends and religious influences in her life, she stopped. She is now the nicest person I know.

            This story is heartbreaking (especially if you know the details). It’s also why I’m so passionate to help those who are abused so that they don’t grow up to become tomorrow’s criminals.

            My friend was able to change. No one is hopeless. All she needed was a group of people who cared about her. She also needed something to live for. She found both in good friends and religion.

            Statistics show the damage abuse causes. If you are abused, you have a higher chance of practicing destructive behavior. You can become dangerous to society.

            But you don’t have to go that route. There are many subcultures in America who understand you and have their own versions of family where you can fit in, if you indeed do not have a good one of your own.
            Stories and people like these are what inspire me to help others. People can change, they just need a catalyst.