July 9, 2008
Dear Editor,
The recent spate of violence against our women and young girls have vexed my spirit and has prompted me to address this disease that seems to be incurable. Our women today are facing tremendous problems, as no other generation of women have had to face in the history of this nation.
Never before has the molestation of young girls have been so rampant as it is today and never before have so many women been killed by the hands of those who claimed to love them. Domestic violence has been with us from early in Belize’s history, and the history of the world, but it was usually kept in the closet. Back then the worst that would happen was a bruised lip or eye, but now these men have taken it to another notch, and seem to have lost all pride and shame, and in the end they act and behave like wild beasts, and animals that don’t protect their women. We all know that this is a problem that needs urgent attention and a rapid solution, but how can we help to alleviate the pain and anger that our men are facing, so as to show them a better way instead of the way that they now choose to deal with their frustration?
We cannot and will not end this cycle of domestic violence until we effectively heal the heart and minds of our men, because it’s only through the cleansing of the heart can men and women begin the process of healing.
Jesus, in the New Testament, said that we must circumcise the heart and renew the mind, so in light of this, I’m appealing to all men in Belize to begin this process that is necessary for our growth. First, we all must realize that we have a duty to our Creator, and that duty, in my humble opinion, is obedience. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word obedience means dutifully complying with the orders or instructions of one in authority.
Seeing what is taking place in our society, it’s clear to say that we are not being obedient to the ordered or instruction of our Creator, who is the supreme authority on earth.
Whenever when a man abuses a woman, he needs to stop and peruse the instruction of his creator and see where he has faltered and try to make amends, first with God and then with his victim. In the process of doing that, he’ll be on the road to becoming a better individual.
My dear Belizean brothers and sisters, the problems that we are now facing is not greater nor bigger than our Creator, and if we dutifully comply with his orders and instructions, we can begin to chip away at this damnable disease and not only heal ourselves, but also our nation, and in the process create a better society for our young generation to live and play in.
Before I close, I would like to quote from the book of Proverbs in the Bible that says: In all thy ways acknowledge him (our Creator), and he will direct thy path.” A greater word of counsel and comfort we couldn’t have asked for, so let’s begin the practice of obedience and stifle all this domestic violence.
Yours respectfully,
(signed) Elroy Perdomo