Silence Is Not An Option

A tragic story made headline news earlier this week about a grandmother and her three grandchildren (all under five years of age) who were all burned alive in their home. And this was no accident. After kicking the door open late Sunday night, and shooting the lady, the house was set on fire by one or more persons. Based on reports, this was the method chosen to handle an alleged long-standing disagreement between the grandmother and some other individuals.

What have we become? Is this how we solve problems? By killing our children and our grandparents? No matter the dispute - even if the lady had initiated it - there's no excuse for murder. How can anyone be so depraved? And the question resonates in my mind: can it get any worse?

Sadly, we live in a society where the innocent (especially children) fall prey to ruthless, calculating men far too often. Yet so many times murderers walk free; and while some crimes uncover the perpetrator(s) through forensics, others require the testimonies of witnesses so that justice can be served. 

We absolutely must take a stand. Silence is not an option. Washing out the blood stains from his clothes doesn't rinse away the pain from empty hearts. Hiding the gun for him doesn't keep it from destroying lives.  We may think we are keeping ourselves and others safe by remaining close-mouthed but we are accomplishing the exact opposite. And if you doubt, remember that grandmother and her three grandchildren.