At times every human being go through a period (long or short) that they feel that they are isolated in ealing with an ordeal. This feeling is not unusual as there are many problems that individuals as well as groups deal with everyday and they think that they are all along. And, when you feel that you are along in your suffering, the tendency is to become hopeless even as you continue to show some degree of resistance.
For instance, we know that America has a crises as a consequence of police meting out racially-base brutality that is amplified by their, seemingly, thoughtless, rash and disportionate killing of Black men in America.
We know that it's taking place in America, but in our bewilderment, we are unable to grasp that it is not simply a local issue, at least there common markers throughout the world.
Countries like the UK, France and Germany also have their problems regarding racial insensitivity, and,so do a lot of other countries. The victims may not always be Black [but it does appears that the majority] but are mostly people of color.
Yet the most sinister consequences are becoming clearer as well. Let's say that the those who hurt others can have genealogical lineage to the ones that they are hurting . This is disturbing, but graphically illustrates the prowess of systemic conditioning.
In a 2017 article penned by health experts Adrienne Milnerand Giuliano Russo in The Lancelot Global Health Blog, they argued that it was time to consider police brutality as a global health problem.
##Why Health Related?##
Milner and Russo submitted that * Apart from premature death and bodily harm, documented health consequences in the USA of negative police interactions include high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, as well as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder*.
Yet, once again, the article did not restrict the victims to black men but to different cultures throughout the world. One need not look any further than Israeli army soldiers given free reign to mame and kill Palestinian civilian protesters who are marching for social justice; or, the thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh to avoid police violence and ethnic cleansing.
As implied earlier, police brutality simply doesn't ont affect the immediate victim, but the whole community (families, children, schools) in ways that do include health, environmental, spiritual hazards.
But let's return to the main purpose of this article where presupposition is based on the fact that whether the suffering comes in the form of police brutality; lack of health care; social welfare; privacy laws; indigent veterans and senior citizens, here it is argued that humankind scale of suffering is most underreported. - and those who are suffering the most many times appear isolated.
##Individual Local Issues vs. Individual Global Issues##
One Biblical reference that I've used a ot in when speaking about myths of 'isolate suffering' is the one about Elijah (I Kings 19: 1-18). The story is perfect for eradicating the thought that we feel that we are along in our suffering and the injustices that society metes out. It also shows the disconnect that the global community has (real or imagined) when they think that thy are the only one(s) going through a crisis [Not to downplay the magnitude and veracity of any particular onslaught].
Regarding Elijah's predicament he had sought refuge in a cave fleeing from the killing tereny Ahab who was killng the prophets. When question by God, he responded: *The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
While there is much more to the story, there are several things that one should get: 1. Elijah felt alone and isolated; 2. Elijah felt that this occurrence can only be happening locally; 3. Elijah was wary, or depressed; an, 4. He felt that the power structure (God in this instance) had abandoned him, and many others.
What Elijah ordeal shows the anxiety of dealing with persecution, it is important to recognized that he had localized. the issue.
Once again, suffering and crises do not happen in a vacuum. Hence, what is happening to you is also happening to someone else. Or, even as your ordeal may be unique, the word presents, at least, similar ordeals that are threaded in fighting against the same evil forces. He wasn't, and you are not alone.
##The Power of Connectivity##
That brings us to the core of what's what this writer is attempting to convey to a unique audience that can identify with the perils of suffering as they fight against oppression, or has have been targeted by aggressive behavior in their particular local. You should realize that you're never alone.
That may be easily said than ...
For the world community that faces perpetual persecution in divers locales and types (Also, let's not get stuck in thinking that this phenomenon of persecution is exclusive to only Christians) we must remain and/or come even closer to realizing the needed affinity for feeling connected, I am suggesting consideration be given to the following:
- Rest in the truth, that you are not alone
- Acknowledge other people struggles as often as you can in the word
- Give the minimal, verbal support whenever the opportunity arises
- Participate in the recommended solutions in some way. The minimal is acknowledgement - then it may progress
toward a definite and direct active response* - Stay in motion
- Try to educate yourself as much as possible about other people' trials and tribulations
- Don't be afraid
- Recognize the value of the words that you say
- Share and comment with your stories as much as possible, normally online, or even through direct contact.
The above is a small sampling of what we can consider in real-time crisis.
While much education can be sought for individuals being affected, normally in resistance movements a holistic viewpoint, meaning that normally a whole group is the target but it flows to individual circumstances, as well.
Yet, the most important thing to remember is that suffering are globally-threaded and there is some healing power in connecting. From here in Richmond, Virginia: Hello Palestine, Syrians, Rohingyas, Yemenis..., We are One.
Note/Reference
-http://globalhealth.thelancet.com/2017/12/05/time-consider-police-brutality-global-health-problem
-The Bible (Elijah's story)