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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Public Tragedy
By webmaster @ 3:24 PM :: 1680 Views :: 1 Comments

Since following every iota of news related to the airplane disappearance of John Kennedy, Jr. a few years ago, I have tried to maintain boundaries around my own emotions and public spectacles. Living in the 24-hour news and gossip cycle makes my efforts very challenging.

However, last week, the situation in the Chicago family home of Jennifer Hudson has pulled both my sadness and my anger. Jennifer Hudson came to my attention on American Idol. Many of us watched as she moved up the ranks to semi-finalist on the televised talent show. Though she did not win, she has created a successful career because of it.

Unfortunately, her family is like so many families in the world—they have experienced domestic violence, which was fatal. Everyone knows what domestic violence is. However, did you know that nearly one-third of all American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives? Did you know that, on average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the U.S. each day?

These statistics break my heart. So does the image that I have of Ms. Hudson and her family in Chicago dealing with the loss of her mother, brother and nephew.

In August, I presided at a funeral for a lovely young woman named Kathy Brown. As All-Saints’ Day approaches, it is appropriate to remember Kathy. She was an energetic first grade teacher who had just purchased her first home. Kathy was excitedly preparing for another year of new pupils. Unfortunately, she was dating a man who mistook violence for love. He shot and killed her at her home in the late summer. I trust God and yet, I have a place of grieving for her and for her family. Only our all-knowing and all-loving Savior can bring peace and healing to families like the Browns and the Hudsons. Let’s all join our hearts and pray for that.

Domestic violence is like a plague upon the world of women, children and families. I pray that a day will come when we can say that no woman in the world lost her life or was harmed because of the violence of a boyfriend or intimate partner.

If you or someone that you know is experiencing domestic violence, please take it seriously. Contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233), the people there are very nice and will have good, non-judgmental help for you.

Comments

By sister k @ Saturday, November 01, 2008 12:09 PM

I think the idea of anonymity in urban cities is a myth. There is comfort in knowing that you, my friend offered solace to my friends in the Brown family as they suffered the horrific and very tragic loss of their beloved family member. My sense of empathy is frayed by the likeness in our stories, like Cathy was, I am single and independent. While I have lived and studied abroad, in this moment, eldercare issues have me closer to home, living in the community where I grew up -- this just means that I am more familiar with the "dangerous elements" in my environment. My sense of safety is eroding and I pray harder for "angels to watch over me" and to protect me from harm. My fears unravel with every vulnerable opportunity for new relationships, making me less likely to extend my hand or heart for that matter, yet I do believe in the power of love.

Every time I hear the streaming news of devastating public tragedies, I nudge in a little closer with my own beloved community because I know among my own family, friends and faithful ones there is the potential for the intractable and with a sense of fellowship, I do listen more attentively to the stories of struggle women and men tell me; provide a healing place, or the balm of a referral when I recognize danger. Domestic violence and IPV are real and close; palpable in the work place, at home and in the sanctuary -- the month is not long enough to focus. As physician in training, I know that every women has the challenge of becoming equipped for the sake her own survival.

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