Just Because People Don't Want To Hear Things Doesn't Make Those Things Disappear.

I'm so very weary of hearing people say "Oh I can't stand to hear stories about child abuse, animal abuse, domestic violence, torture, human suffering...." (enter subject matter here). Refraining from talking about or hearing about the harsh realities of life does not make them disappear.

Until every single person capable of making change in the world does so, unimaginable horrors will continue to be visited on the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable. The perpetrators of crimes against marginalized populations are, of course, the most responsible, but everyone who knows those crimes are being committed, and remain silent, are complicit. Guilty of selfishness, weakness, fear, or just plain callousness, it matters little, guilt is guilt.

Many people were aware of the abuse suffered by my siblings and me at the hands of our parents. There were many opportunities for neighbors, teachers, social service providers and others to step in and rescue us from the hell that was our life. Nobody did. There's no excuse for their neglect, and today they would be held criminally responsible...I guess society has evolved a little.

But certainly not enough.