Friday, July 20, 2012

Aurora's other victims

Just learning about the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado.  Very tragic situation in so many ways.

Over the next couple of weeks folks will learn more about all involved - postulation and speculation are sure to follow.

I've not seen the movie, but what I've read and seen of the trailer this clearly is a movie for adults.  I find myself focused on the fact there were children - young children - in the theatre.  There were parents who chose to have their children in attendance at a movie with significant violence and dealing with moral ambiguity.

Sacrifice is a part of mentoring and parenting.  It just is.  Sacrificing seeing a movie seems like a tiny thing to give up relative to all the other sacrifices that take place over the lifetime of being a responsible adult.

And yet, among victims reported are at least one three month old and one six year old.  The rating for the movie is PG-13.  This makes no sense to me.  I can't fathom making sure the baby is in the car seat, the diaper bag is packed, and then then taking them to a movie where emotional and physical violence are known to be a part of the plot.  The volume of noise is hard on baby's developing systems and confusing to small children.

What do you do if you are the person in the box office and you see someone with baby in their arms asking for a ticket to a midnight showing? Did the other theatre goers feel they could say nothing to those bringing in the infant and children?  If there were other young children in the theatre, what sort of help or therapy will they receive?  I can't imagine what it is to be a child and to see other children killed by an adult.  Who will advocate for these young children?

I don't have answers for these questions that are simple. Given my own sensibilities, I am not a good person for mediating such a discussion, I feel too passionately in one direction.  But I think this is one of the conversations or dialogues that should be taking place.  Our children need us to watch out for them.


2 comments:

  1. I saw "Ted" with a friend and was dismayed to see so many young children in the audience with their parents. The film is rated R and definitely has adult themes.

    God bless the victims in Aurora and their families, as well as the family of the shooter.

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  2. I'm wondering where our responsibilities lie with this issue. I read an article that was essentially sharing to ease up on the poor parents who were traumatized because their children could have been killed or injured. In addition to the 4 month old they had a 4 year old with them. The article was expressing that we should understand their need to take in a movie.
    God bless them all.

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