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Who Cries for the Little Children?
Friday, April 3, 2015 at 7:00AM 
Photo courtesy of Alicja ColonI felt for the young Leonardo DiCaprio during those scenes where he longed to escape Robert DeNiro’s cruelty in “This Boys Life.”
Yet, nothing prepared me for the day when I witnessed a guardian yelling, cursing and hitting an adolescent boy who he appears to be walking school.
That was the scene playing out on a city street, one early weekday morning I wish could have ended with the simple press of a “pause” or “stop” button because the events taking place here just didn’t seem right.
Maybe I failed remember that for many children who have starring roles in scenes like these, children who you may never get to know, this kind of story is the norm.
Oh but how could I forget about the time I heard of a mother yanking her daughter around by the hair.
Luckily for this little girl, a close friend of her mother had good timing and was there to intervene.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the first incident, so who knows how many times the scenes starring this beautiful, bright and cheerful little girl I once knew, have played on “repeat.”
Maybe I could stand to learn a lesson from that person who intervened, on how important it is to speak up for the little ones who were cast in awful, heartbreaking roles that they never auditioned for. I can only wonder how many of us heard Derek Luke when he asked who would cry for the little boy, beaten and molested by his foster care parents in “Antoine Fisher,” and yet it seems like we’re not listening when it occurs outside of the movie theater and away from TV screens.
So I write this today not only because I remember how difficult it was to watch those biographical dramas made famous by Oscar winning actors -- portraying real life experiences of men who were once boys suffering at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect them from harm; but because I also remember walking down the street that morning and feeling helpless like nothing could be done to defend a young child whose day has already started off on the wrong foot.
I remember being in disbelief when learning that someone I knew had a tendency to lash out at her kid for petty reasons, or maybe no reason at all. Maybe it’s because I also remember not knowing the difference between what falls in the category of discipline and what constitutes abuse.
C is for ChildrenOr maybe it’s because I remember how we’ve all been trained to mind our own business – after all, no one wants trouble. At least, that’s what you learn from spending a lot of time in the cities, where everyone is doing their own thing. Thanks to social and cultural norms that vary from one nation, religion, generation, etc. to another, there has been a dangerous slippery slope that leaves far too many children vulnerable to neglect, violence and death.
I write this today because yes, I came, I saw, I heard, I remember, I’m listening and I too am wondering who cries for all of the little children when the rest of us don’t.
My A-to-Z Challenge post for Letter C is in honor of National Poetry Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Reader Comments (14)
Heartfelt post on a very messy, ugly topic. My heart breaks for those children. I cry for them.
My heart goes out to these children. I cry for them.
My heart goes out to these children. I cry for them.
Who cries indeed? It is such a catch 22 situation. You want to mind your own business yet we as a society want us all to act on behalf of those who lack the power to do so for themselves. I'm not sure of the middle ground either. Things are different from my days of growing up.
Children... are in need of protection, guidance... not abuse.
I agree with Jeremy. Encouragement, love, protection - never abuse.
Good luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
That was very powerful. As a teacher, there were a number of times when I reported suspected abuse to the nurse and principal. They investigated every time but it's really difficult to get something done when the kids are already in high school. Walk through Walmart and you'll see at least one situation you worry about but are helpless to address.
It amazes me that people will watch abuse or endangerment and turn the other way.
Phew. That was a powerful post. I don't understand how people can turn away, either. I hope we all move toward speaking up and speaking out. Our children deserve it. Thanks, Nicole.
~AJ Lauer
an A-Z Cohost
@ayjaylauer on Twitter
Mary Aalgaard,
Yes it's a messy topic indeed. Good to know the childen are in your thoughts. Also thanks for reading and commenting (sidenote: if you were experiencing some difficulty with the comments, let me know) on today's post for Letter C.
Angela,
Tell me about it! As the times have changed so much from one generation to another it makes it even more difficult to figure out which side of that catch 22 to be on depending on the situation. I can understand your point about a middle ground probably not being an option. Hopefully less children will be in a dangerous environment tomorrow than those who are suffering from abuse today. Thank you for your comment.
Jeremy,
Well said. Protection and guidance is important for children. Thanks for commenting!
S.L. Hennessy,
Oh yes Love and protection is a necessity for children.
Susan,
By the time a child makes it to high school I imagine that they've probably figured out ways to cope with their situation and/or escape from their environment. Teachers are in a tough spot because it's hard to really know for sure what is going on but also difficult to know if the situation is handled in a manner that is best for the child and one that will also prevent further abuse once the reports are made. The situations where we see something that concerns us, but we feel helpless to address, occurs in all sorts of retail stores....not just Walmart. It happens anywhere at everywhere including places where the average person least expects them to occur.
C. Lee McKenzie,
I'm not surprised that there are instances of child abuse, domestic violence and other foul acts where people turn the other way. It probably comes from the differences in how everyone is raised as well as being a product of one's environment, plus the whole matter of not really being able to determine what it going on when all of the facts are not laid out on the table. Thank you for adding to today's discussion for Letter C.
AJ Lauer,
I agree that our children deserve us all moving toward speaking up and out to protect them from harm. Thanks for reading my blog today and commenting on this post.
A poignant post and one that speaks to many I feel. That uncertainty of whether to interfere in someone else's business or not get involved for fear you've misunderstood or will incur the wrath of the badly behaving adult. In past generations children have been seen and not heard. Apparently this is not the case anymore but I do wonder every time I see a new news item about another abused child. Bravo for taking a difficult subject. An excellent C post.
Ugh. Those poor kids.
Ugh. Those poor kids.
It is heartbreaking, and we haven't figured out, as a society, what to do about it yet. I'm a mandated reporter for child abuse and although they've made it much easier to report suspected abuse it's no easier to root it out.