Spirituality and Credit

An interesting article on CBC.ca this week from Listen Up TV's Lorna Dueck on Spirituality and Credit. I am definitely a fan of Christians getting involved in media, moving up-stream of culture to have an impact on our society. I also know that there are inherent dangers -- the need to get published or broadcasted can often lead to the distortion of the gospel message, as well as the need to sensationalize what we say and write. For example, Lorna writes "I hope the church can cash in on our turmoil." Not really the best sentiment there -- pithy, though.

I can relate a little -- I was interviewed last year and at the beginning of this year regarding my position at school. In both cases, the journalist was looking for that elusive sound bite, that quote which could sum a complex idea up ever-so-neatly for people to easily digest. In the first interview, I was far too detailed to be used for quotes. However, in the second interview, I said something mildly controversial in the first sentence, and knew that was the clip they would show on the daily news. I was right. All of the other brilliant things I said were stolen right from my mouth by the interviewer, and used as her monologue piece, then - CUT! - straight to my contentious line. Oh well, I suppose it was worth my 15 sec. of fame!

An Ominous Silence

Visiting a friend of mine who is involved in law enforcement, the conversation drifted toward the recent attack in London of two beat cops who were swarmed when they responded to a call on the east side. At this point there was an ominous silence.... Apparently, beating on cops trying to help out a situation doesn't go over well with the other cops.

The locals are complaining of police brutality, and it may be a fair assessment that the officers involved overreacted a bit, however swarming the officers and beating him over the head with his own baton obviously does not constitute a reasonable level of response. This isn't a ghetto, it's not the 'hood. These people wouldn't last a minute if they were dumped into Compton/Watts (LA), Queensbridge (NYC), or Detroit south of 8 mile. (BTW, 8 mile is where the crime STARTS in detroit. If Marshall Mathers had been from 7 mile, there would be no Eminem, Slim Shady, or 8 mile film -- well 7 mile film, I suppose....)

I find it a little disturbing that people are trying to bring ghetto culture here, or to any fairly safe city. The culture is usually a natural (but unfortunate and sad) outgrowth of the demographics. The situation is not that bad there, don't go bringing trouble to our town.

I do recognize a few of the names involved in the situation here. It only goes to show the failure of this culture to take care of all the the various people and ethnicities that make up our city and country. I hope we can start learning to treat each other with respect. Some day....