Violence, Trauma and Children

Black, white, red, tan or brown… those who live a life of violence, hurt, crime, addiction, relationship issues, etc. typically have one thing in common: Childhood trauma

I have been thinking about this project I came across in Chattanooga. It is in an area that is known for violence, increased arrests, drug sales, etc.

The project is called FACE to FACE and it shares thoughts of children in East Chattanooga by way of art.

It is always interesting to me that some of the most talented youth live in some of the most crime ridden areas of America. The arts is their escape from childhood pain experienced at home, an escape from the violence they witness on the street – art is the safe place for some.

The painted faces on the red, yellow and blue backdrop are self-portraits of the youth involved in the project. Some of the quotes written are their thoughts on violence.

One of the thoughts put into words:

“I live in East Chattanooga and I am affected by the poor housing. The lack of education and the lack of recreational activities for our youth. Also, there is a lot of drugs and gang violence. But on the real, East Chattanooga is rich with deep history and people.”

The brick archway was once the entrance to Delanie Park and later the Highway 58 Drive-In Movie Theater. Now, it is an overgrown field, but perhaps an open field to more positive growth in the city.

This mural was put together between 2013 and 2014 and still stands in 2018 with natural growth, but without vandalism.

In closing... Black, white, red, tan or brown - - those who live a life of violence, hurt, crime, addiction, relationship issues, etc. typically have one thing in common: Childhood trauma

“Many abused children cling to the hope that growing up will bring escape and freedom.

But the personality formed in the environment of coercive control is not well adapted to adult life. The survivor is left with fundamental problems in basic trust, autonomy, and initiative.

She approaches the task of early adulthood ―― establishing independence and intimacy ―― burdened by major impairments in self-care, in cognition and in memory, in identity, and in the capacity to form stable relationships.

She is still a prisoner of her childhood; attempting to create a new life, she re-encounters the trauma.”

— Judith Lewis Herman

Mom and the boys together for Christmas

While mom is not always there… when she is you know it. Her sons see past her homeless appearance and go straight to her heart. Thank you to those who helped make this happen, this mother and her two boys are together at Christmas.

She joked with them on the food that was donated, “What are you guys going to eat over the next five days – this is all mine.” The kids would laugh, “Nu-uhh mom – those are my Christmas Cakes (Little Debbie Christmas Trees).” The mom would then start laughing with a smile that could light the moon followed by the boys laughter.

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Again, thank you to everyone who helped to put this homeless mother in a local hotel to be with her two boys. A huge thank you to Mrs. Carol Cooper Schroer's class at Siegel Elementary and Andrea Hyde Nelson and her small group for all the gifts, food and gift cards. Needless to say, this mom pictured and her boys are set for the next week for sure!

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The kids, ages 10 and 11, are some of the smartest, funniest, playful boys I have ever met. They are polite and outgoing. They live in The Good Shepard’s Home, which is a great place.

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"A simplified Christmas isn't about circumstances as much as it is about focus." - Ann Voskamp, author of the New York Times Bestseller, One Thousand Gifts: "A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are"

Hide and Seek in a Third World Country

The traditional game of hide and seek is not just found in your backyard. It is also found on the small streets of the Dominican Republic.

This young boy was walking with a group of his friends when he quietly ducked behind a rock as his buddies continued to walk. He then peeked over the large stone to see if they noticed that he had mysteriously vanished. They noticed and started laughing when they saw his head appear behind the rock that was sitting in front of a small roadside store that normally sells fresh avocado's. However, the store was closed as it was a Sunday.

It was refreshing to see all the children in the Dominican playing outside as opposed to the quiet streets in America. It seems as if many children here lock themselves in their bedrooms while glued to gaming devices and telephones. In some areas of the U.S., sounds of children no longer fill the air because parents are overly concerned about their children being kidnapped or attacked in some way. I too have that fear at times, but have to remind myself that it is unlikely.

When I was younger, I would ride my bike to Kroger with friends and hit the candy aisle. I bet I did that when I was as young as 11 and we lived about 3-miles from the store. I know times are different, but I dislike the fact that a few thugs in our community have risen the fears that parents face to an unreasonable level. And to think crime is higher in most third world countries, but the children feel more freedom when compared to our own backyard.

"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn." - O. Fred Donaldson

Children in Haiti

The children in the larger cities of Haiti ran and played in the seepage of sewage into the streets while the children on the countryside ran through the outskirts of sugarcane fields pulling toy cars made of soda bottles. It was an interesting contrast sometimes only four miles apart. 

“The wonders of a child can only be understood by the child.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita