The reality we create needs a neighbor that asks questions. I wonder if Brendon Tarrant ever had that. The weed seed that grew into a tree of destruction needed a neighbor to nip it out.
I watched some of a video from the Christchurch killing.
I had put out a social media post on the day of the shooting asking people to pray. Someone commented on some of the wording I used.
When I looked at their account, they had a post with some of the video. I didn’t watch much of it, and I have reported the post.
Northern Ireland, Vietnam, 911, Christchurch
When I was a child, it was the violence in Northern Ireland and the Vietnam war. We learned about it via the newspaper (print version).
For my children, it was 911 and viewing it on live TV. I was doing an online course at the time and had communication with someone who lived in New York. It had a more personal touch.
Last Friday the violence of Christchurch was available live-streamed to the device of your choice.
It was now in my country and your home.
As I watched the first 10 seconds of the video, I couldn’t help but feel this was like watching one of those video games where you are the shooter, and you roam around looking for a target.
Blockhouse Bay Rd Auckland
The other day I was driving along one of our busy suburban streets here in Auckland when I noticed on the side of the road a property fence lined with flowers.
Two armed police officers were standing outside. The local Mosque was being decorated with neighborly love.
Police cars patrolled the area.
Reality has been changed forever.
Paremoremo Prison
Just a 13-minute drive from my home Brenton Tarrant sits in a prison cell of his own making. It is believed that he has been transferred from Christchurch to our Maximum security prison.
Tarrant is having to come to terms with a real version of reality.
“I really want the New Zealand public to know that this guy is not going to be having an easy ride in prison.”
“For the rest of his life, he is going to have the choice out of extreme loneliness and everything that comes with prolonged isolation – and, if and when he gets put with others, anxiety about the constant threat and stress of attacks. He doesn’t have any good options.” Dr. Paul Wood
I don’t know much about the killer and what went to his thinking but there was a seed of hatred in him and he chose to feed it.
He bought guns, trained himself to use them, and filled his mind with hate.
He learned how to mount a web camera, push record and pull a trigger.
Disconnected
We live in an increasingly disconnected world.
I can get what I want, where I want, how I want and I don’t have to risk the vulnerability of relationship with anyone for it.
That’s the allure of online pornography and gaming. Online living means I never have to leave my home and relate with someone flesh to flesh.
I don’t have to risk the depth of potential pain associated with real relationships because I can choose to scroll to the next person and their selfie persona.
Now and then I get ‘friend’ requests from young ladies. I don’t know them at all, but I know their game. Become ‘friends,’ form an online relationship, invites to chat rooms, porn, etc. Reality is warped.
I stop at the start. Delete, cancel request, etc. Little seeds can grow into major weeds.
Reality hits
Reality hits when you have an emotional connection with someone’s pain.
It hit me when I watched ambulance officer Paul Bennett describe what happened as he went into the mosque.
There was a river of blood coming out of the mosque, and that’s a scene that you don’t forget.
It was literally flowing off terracotta tiles. We tried to get our stretcher into the mosque but we couldn’t because there were fatalities in the way.
We ended up having to lift the bodies over the top of other bodies on to stretchers.
Paul Bennett
It always happened over there
It was always far far away. It was in Ireland, Vietnam, New York. Places a great distance from our peaceful Godszone islands of New Zealand.
We are known for our scenic beauty. Christchurch is the gateway for many of our visiting tourists to begin their dream holiday.
Christchurch is now a place also known for terror. It’s a reality.
We, New Zealand, is not tucked away from terrorism. We have it here too.
Neighbors
Who are your neighbors?
Who are the people that live in the house, apartment, or unit next to you?
Do you know much about them?
Are they Muslims, members of the L.G.B.T. community, white supremacists, Christian church going people, Asians, Hindu, Dog lovers, Skinheads, white, black, freckled, Jews. Somalis? [pullquote]We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too. Sting[/pullquote]
I know this about them.
They all have fears, hopes, and dreams. They all have children too. They all need a connection with another human being. Flesh to flesh.
We all need someone to listen.
We all need you.
The reality we create needs a neighbor to gently and quietly ask questions. I wonder if Brendon Tarrant ever had that. The weed seed that grew into a tree of destruction needed a neighbor to nip it out.
I am Paul Bennetts neighbor. As I listened to him express the horror of shifting dead bodies to access the mosque, I felt some of his pain. I felt his reality, and I cried somewhere deep inside.
I prayed that he would have friends, family, colleagues, trauma specialists gather around him and help him process the pain.
I entered his ditch of humanity as best I could and prayed for healing and hope.
I think that is all any of us can do.
Barry Pearman
Image: Noted
