It Takes a Chorus

This is my second go at this article. MS Word crashed and took all my wonderful thoughts with it.

One of the first things I thought was, “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as it gets done.” And it’s true.

So many times over the years I have been met with blank stares when I speak of child abuse. I remind myself nearly every day that five kids will die today from abuse—a high percentage under the age of one. Having been dealt harshly with and terribly by my parents, I know how these kids fear and hurt. I know what it’s like to vibrate with anxiety at a very early age. Perhaps that’s why this is so important to me.

I've fielded many strange looks when it comes to voicing my opinions on child abuse.  I've attempted to rally people to the cause to no avail.  I've approached my legislator, Seth Moulton, with the thought we need a Federal Mandate to stem the backward slide.

Twenty-eight states have put frivolous reporting clauses into play within their Mandatory Reporting laws. My understanding is that States get funding from the Federal government with the stipulation that they have these laws. But the frivolous reporting clauses seem to target those very reporters with severe penalties if they do report. Not reporting is a thousand bucks—reporting is two and jail time. Report a second and third time, and you will pay that fine and spend even more time in jail. Predators are gaining ground and children are being assaulted or worse--killed.

I’ve been a voice for so long I don’t know if I can be anything else. But I’ve come to know it takes a chorus to affect real, meaningful change.  🐝 Fatima Williams suggested educational institutions, but I went that route.  People just didn't want to get involved in pursuing a legislative effort.  At this moment, 3 kids have died today.  Another is on its way.  Perhaps we should pile the bodies up in a designated square in Washington, DC.  

Becoming part of a chorus means virtual obscurity. Not a bad thing—really. Being part of a whole is not a bad thing Robert Cormack thinks a group is a bad thing. Ideas may be sprouted by individuals, but it often takes a group to put those ideas into play. Perhaps if the function of the individual is integrated into the whole, things could work out.

I am a fountain of information, but I am a terrible diplomat. In a chorus, I could serve a function. The wheels grind slowly, but we are currently moving backward.

So what does it take to create a chorus? I have no idea—do you?

Copyright 2017 Joyce Bowen

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About the Author:  Joyce Bowen is a freelance writer and public speaker.  Inquiries can be made at crwriter@comcast.net

Sobre el autor: Joyce Bowen es un escritor independiente y orador público. Las consultas pueden hacerse en crwriter@comcast.net

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