The holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Years’ Day, tends to bring out the best and worst in humankind.
For example, you may have seen the news accounts of a young New York cop who bought a pair of boots for a homeless man who was barefoot on the streets of New York City. He keeps the receipt in his bullet-proof vest as a constant reminder that there are those who are less fortunate.
However, East St. Louis was in a state of shock following a Thanksgiving Day murder-suicide in which a 69-year-old man, from all indication, murdered his ex-wife of 40 years, wounded his stepdaughter and then apparently took his own life.
Then, two days later, a 29-year-old St. Louis man was accused of killing a 23-year-old East St. Louis man as they waited in line outside of The Pink Slip strip club in Brooklyn, IL.
Both were senseless tragedies that probably could have been prevented with the proper mediation and intervention by more rational and cooler heads.
By all accounts the gentleman in the murder-suicide was a “genuinely nice guy,” an ex military policeman in the Air Force and a retired Illinois Power worker.
Less is known in the murder in front of the Pink Slip. But still, the question becomes how could men simply waiting in line for an evening of adult entertainment resort to murder to settle a dispute?
The holiday season, especially in “the ‘hood,” with pent-up frustrations over strained finances, unemployment (which is twice that of the general population), pressure to buy gifts that they can’t afford, combined with the excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs often creates the perfect dynamic for people to “snap” and commit unthinkable or tragic acts.
That may or may not have happened in both cases here. But, all too often, it is exactly what happens and the result is always devastation for the families of those involved.
So, whether you’re in “East Boogie” or wherever, I would implore you, during this so-called season of giving, to be particularly mindful of family and friends who tend to be excessive in their holiday celebration or who tend to be overly hostile as a result of holiday pressures.
It’s not worth the frustration, devastation and irreversible tragedy caused by violence, etc. over the “holiday madness” and the superficiality of what is supposed to be a joyous season.
Please be sober, be safe and realistic during the holidays as you remember the true reason for the season.
If you like my column, then you will love my radio show on WGNU-920am every Sunday from 4-5 pm. Please tune-in and call-in. I love to hear from my St. Louis American readers.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
