Times Are Changing

Come together 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you'd better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

The Times They Are A-Changin'
Bob Dylan


In the 1960s when I was 12, I was selected to represent my church at a convention for several days. I no longer can recall how this all came about. I lived in Charleston, SC, and the convention was 100 miles away in Columbia, the state capital. I think my father, who was an official in the church, had a hand in the decision to select me. I received a point of contact, instructions, a bus ticket, and was on my way. I can't remember the point of contact doing much, but that was OK. Anyway, I shared a room with three older guys from other churches and did my convention thing. I had no problem, except dealing with being away from home alone for the first time. I returned home and gave my report on the conference. I've been on the road ever since.

This story came to mind over the weekend after I read an Associated Press story titled "Public doesn't believe woman raped, killed girl." In addition to the dismay of learning about another attack on a child, what struck me was the disbelief of the public. Even though the evidence led the police to the conclusion that the woman raped the girl, the public seemed to be locked onto a paradigm that certain people don't do certain things. If the suspect were male, the person would have been adjudicated by the public prior to evidence. Moreover, if the person were a minority male, a photograph of the questioning would be all it takes for the public to render guilt. That child abusers being caught are married is another thought-pattern breaker.

We're living in a time when old thought patterns may not fit, and we need to accept where we are and adjust our thinking and laws to fit new patterns. Even as I'm writing this entry and listening to the news out of Mobile, AL, the newscaster is reporting a story of a soccer coach (male) being arrested for abusing a child. The newscaster even remarks that the arrestee was a popular person in the community.

Indeed, we are living in changing times and must find more efficient methods to protect children. I hope no one asks me about deterrence methods. I must prove a warning that my opinions about such methods are draconian.