Today let’s explore the transformative power of inclusion, respect and listening. Imagine a conversation where everyone is included. Where respect is making people feel genuinely valued. At the heart of this conversation, is listening. Truly absorbing the words, seeing behind them where the stories are hidden. Including, respecting and listening to each other may not seem like something that could hold a great amount of power, but here, you would be wrong.
Take for instance, youth crime. Many young people, find themselves at crossroads, shaped by difficult challenges. And what do forces do about this? They set bigger, tougher fines. They punish the youngsters’ parents, even in cases the parents weren’t involved in with the minors, or they could simply think of it as a case of need of education, and the youngsters will magically stop wanting the need do commit crimes, but they truly won’t feel any regret, and would probably be more determined to continue committing crimes. Although, instead of punishing them, what if we listened to their stories and respected them? By including their voices, we can uncover the issues leading them astray. The majority of cases, where youngsters commit crimes, most of it comes as a result of forming psychological problems, coming from all sorts of reasons, such as family problems, tv influence, the need to have wealth, peer pressure, et cetera, that lead on and on to their factors that form psychological issues. Why make tougher sentences, that fail to deter crime, and neglect, so completely ignore the idea that a minor may be in the need of rehabilitation. Why punish the youngsters’ parents, when it doesn’t solve the problem and can hurt the families without addressing the real issues behind a crime. Why force the youngsters on strict education measures at school, rather than understanding the root cause of their behavior, such as family issues, or social challenges.
If law enforcement chooses to engage respectfully with young people, they need to form bridges of trust and cooperation, transforming communities into a safer place. Maybe, instead of making a permanent tough sentence, they could judge based on the case, for instance if a minor has mental issues, or if they truly do deserve a tough sentence.
In movies, books, daily life, we learn that some people who seem to appear bold and cold blooded, are just missing a part of respect and inclusion from others, even if it is the least of respect someone would have to offer. All in all, let’s commit to embracing inclusion, respect, and listening to others, because this way, we can truly create a higher future for everyone.
