I posted this blog in my old wordpress account on June 14th 2017. I didnt realise that I had not shared it here, until today when I decided to look for it following a discussion about bullying. The stories I shared may be old, but the issue isnt. And yes, these mothers, and many more whose children are involved, continue to weep.
In recent months we have been shocked by several senseless deaths; deaths in the hands of bullies.Deaths that in turn uncovered bullying of preposterous proportions. The death of a young student in a tahfiz exposed the harsh practices employed by some teachers in the name of discipline.
As the nation was coming to terms with his death another senseless death made the headlines, this time that of a 3rd year student in a military university.
Imagine the anguish of his parents, who, instead of preparing for the graduation of their eldest son who would have turned the tides of their family’s fortunes , had to bury him instead. And what a horrific way to die. To have been tortured and have a hot steam iron placed on his body; the agony he must have endured before finally succumbing to his horrific injuries The nation cried with his parents, totally aghast at these heinous acts, and the fact that such depravity was committed by fellow students. Yet, amid the public grief and heartbreak, another group of mothers shed tears for their own sons. These mothers , whose children were accused of torturing the cadet, and who are now facing murder charges, must be asking themselves, ” what did I do wrong?” ” How did my son turn out like this? ” Yet, unlike the mother of the deceased, these mothers have no sympathy from the public. Their children are despised, detested , and cursed by everyone who read about the incident. These mothers, who were also expecting their sons to graduate and go on to have illustrious careers, now find their dreams shattered. For the five charged with murder, the possibility of losing their sons to the hangman’s noose hangs over their heads. How will they face the future, knowing their sons took the life of another ?
A few days ago, yet another disaster struck;this time, a young man was brutally assaulted and sodomised by a group of boys. He now lies in hospital, and has been declared brain dead. Once again, public grieving by the family is reciprocated by public outcry over the heinous act, accompanied by calls for justice.A future lost, dreams and aspirations shattered,thanks to the cowardly act of bullies. What of the bullies ? What were they thinking of ? And their parents ? Can we even imagine what they must be going through at this moment ?
I am in no way condoning the actions of the bullies. Indeed they must pay for their actions. What I am hoping, however, that youngsters think before they act. remember their parents and families who raised them ever so lovingly, and placed trust, hope and aspirations in them. Do not betray the trust of their mothers and subject her to public humiliation through your actions. Do not inflict pain on other mothers by taking the lives of their sons, or daughters.
As for us, who are fortunate enough not to be in either parties’ shoes, let us be kind and considerate in our comments on social media. remember, where the mothers are concerned, both parties are grieving; grieving for the loss of the child and the loss of life as they once knew.
Every night, after we turn our gadgets off and slip into peaceful slumber,having said our piece and passed our judgement, these mothers continue to weep…..
