On the Fourth of July we went downtown to enjoy the festivities (yes, we weren’t sitting at home in sack clothe and ashes). There were bands playing and we were wandering around, listening to the music and checking out the different kids activities in the area; I had my daughter in my arms.

About fifty feet in front of me I noticed two men exchanging words. One man, tall, long haired, shirtless and either his personality or a few drinks had caused him to be a little off kilter. He was following another guy, this man trendily dressed with cool shades and a slick messenger bag over his shoulder. Something had obviously been said between them during the music, and they were now confronting each other, the trendy guy slowly walking away, but continuing to turn around and antagonize the other guy. Then I noticed the mace or pepper spray in the trendy guys hand.

The rest of the story is not really that important, pepper spray was used and police showed up shortly after. The point of the story, is that I’m confident I could have done something to de-escalate the situation, but instead I just sat and watched. There were a couple minutes, as the argument progressed that I, or anyone else watching, could have stepped between those two men and told them to calm down and go their separate ways, but I didn’t.

It’s not very often you come across a situation like that were you are at the right place and time to intervene shortly before a situation occurs. More often we are working for change in the aftermath of a tragedy, or we are making efforts in the community long before, and without knowledge of, the violence that could become if we weren’t making those efforts. Available youth programs in an area plagued by gangs are active steps toward non-violence, providing alternatives for youth long before violence and gang involvement ever occur for those youth.

I recently chatted with a pastor at a local church. A recent violent tragedy that had occurred in the neighborhood had involved one of their church members. He was asking the question, and the church was taking proactive steps to build a wider and deeper community. He said we needed to “get nosy” and develop relationships so friends, neighbors or relatives could know about someones struggle long before they resorted to violence.

The efforts I’m making in my community are not all that different then the efforts we all could and should be making where ever we live. From North Minneapolis to Columbine, those who resort to violence see it as a viable option to deal with their situation or problem, often they see it as the only option. Getting to know your neighbors, the nice ones and the cruel ones, and actively providing those around you with opportunities and options (you as a listening ear and active community programs) are all steps we can take to building more peaceful communities.

(this is in response to crossn81’s writing prompt. photo credit)