We always delude ourselves that “certain bad things” only happen elsewhere and, therefore, we find ourselves taken aback when we find the drama at home. The boys, little more than children, in possession of three horrible cutlasses at school, in Caivano, made parents, teachers, me, and all the people who persist in fighting for a better world. What were they supposed to do? Were they afraid of being hit or did they want to hit? No one will ever know for sure. Older people who are nostalgic for times gone by should be reminded that it is completely useless – if not harmful – to make comparisons between generations. They don’t hold up. So what to do? What we are doing and doing it better. Without giving in to the temptation to shift the blame onto others who, in turn, will send it back to the sender. We need to understand if in recent years we have really put our children at the center of family, ecclesial and political life.
Is it true, these blessed -? – cell phones have given us so much but they are also stealing our spaces and emotions. It’s true, the virtual world is becoming more real than the real world. In times of peace and well-being, what strikes is not hunger, thirst, bombs, but a more subtle and pernicious enemy, which gnaws at the root of the desire to run and study; to commit and run to help; to hope and pray: boredom. How little we have reflected on this virus capable of clipping the wings not only of young people but also of those who have already put aside many years. God deliver us from boredom. I don’t think the Caivano boys wanted to hurt anyone. I believe, however, that in a difficult moment, when put in a tight spot, they could have actually done evil. I am certain that those cutlasses were used to make fools of themselves, to put on airs, to feel welcomed into the group they belonged to. But don’t you see them? Don’t you stop to look at them, even if only from afar? Why did the murderer of dear Paolo Taormina have those horrible gold necklaces hanging around his neck? Why in certain neighborhoods, like mine, is a massive gold rosary crown put in plain sight by those who have perhaps never recited a “Hail Mary”? Symbols. Icons. Relics. Signs of belonging. Just as a policeman must wear “that” uniform, they “must” adorn themselves with “that” necklace, otherwise they are cut off.
Psychology, sociology, languages, culture or sub culture: for those who know how and want to bother reading, it’s all here. The tragedy is that precisely because they are not convinced of anything, these “children” could make trouble and end up in trouble. We have to get to the bottom of it. We need to dialogue and control, educate and love. We need to stop the boring chant of the wickedness of the times. All the old people of all the centuries, before passing into the other world, have complained about the bad times. Even these kids will do the same thing in 40 years. At that time? Then all the measures aimed at controlling and directing their lives, their time, the friendships they frequent are welcome. True and not superficial alliances between parents and school are welcome; parents and church; parents and social services; parents and the world of sport. And the metal directors at the entrance to schools? They also come well, but without burdening them excessively with expectations. Without demanding answers from them that they will never be able to give. Because if it is true that they will be able to intercept a knife before the boy enters the classroom – and this is, I repeat, a good thing – they will certainly not be able to follow him during the day. Come on, let’s not feel sorry for ourselves. Along with many conveniences, social media has also brought us many problems to which we were not accustomed. However, let us find the courage to admit the most elementary of truths: everything that concerns these blessed children calls adults into question, starting with those who had the grace to be for them: fathers, mothers, masters, catechists, parish priests, teachers. But also – why not? – the mayor of the town or the journalist and the politicianwho enter their homes without asking permission. Let’s all remember: kids are watching us. They observe us even – and above all – when we don’t realize it. And they imitate us. For better or for worse.
