I've been reluctant to write about the Rittenhouse trial because the entire situation is frightening. The images of Rittenhouse with a gun are scary. What do I think about this situation?
Children are born good
As a teacher for 34 years and a mom, I know that children are born with great big hearts and a will to do well by others. Yet, some children, from an early age are fed a diet of hate, bigotry, disrespect, incivility, abuse and heartache. When we don't care well for our children, they face the great potential of becoming evil, hateful, destructive, dangerous people--people that hurt themselves and others.
How we nurture children matters
As a parent and teacher, I often saw children make errors in judgement. These poor choices could be hurtful to themselves and others. Whenever I noticed a child using disrespect, bigotry, or hurtful choices, I stopped and worked with them to the best of my ability to reflect on what they did and redirect them. Sometimes the situation was so difficult that I had to seek help from other teachers, parents, childlife specialists, physicians and more. Generally, however, with the right supports, children found their way to a better, more peaceful and productive place.
I have always felt that it is integral to know a child well and to find out what makes that child feel good and do well. I remember allowing my sons to try all kinds of activities. I would notice what made them happy and helpful, and what worked in the opposite direction. Also providing my sons with lots of good mentors by way of educators, coaches, family members, neighbors and friends helped a lot too as it is difficult for a parent to be all things to their child.
When we work to help our children become the best they can be, and get the supports we need along the way, our children generally do the right thing and live productive lives.
Clearly when Rittenhouse's mom allowed him to carry an illegal firearm she was promoting lawlessness and putting him and others in danger. Rittenhouse's own choice to carry an illegal firearm and to be a vigilante showed sick and troubled reasoning and drive. I wonder what nurturing led him to make such a deadly choice.
Consequences are necessary
To allow Rittenhouse to not pay the price of carelessly and zealously ending lives would be a crime and send a dangerous message to vigilantes everywhere who act with lawlessness for all kinds of reasons. We are a country of laws and no one is above the law. Barbaric behavior does no one any good, but instead creates a violent society. There was no reason for Rittenhouse to be at that space with that illegal gun--if he truly wanted to work for the safety of others, he could have joined the military or studied to be a police officer or security guard. He did none of that. Note that the judge dismissed illegal firearm charges--I would argue that the Kyle broke the law here, but due to a poorly written law, the judge had the opportunity to dismiss those charges.
What should have happened?
- Any signs of his deadly, lawless behavior should have been dealt with in a positive manner when first noticed and before he was a danger to people's lives.
- His illegal firearm should have been taken away from him and given to local law enforcement.
- He never should have been driven across county lines or given aid to attend that event.
- He probably had many errant influences on his life--influences that propelled him to zealously kill.
- He probably had a dearth of positive, life enriching influences on his life. He clearly needed more of those.