Park Public Restrooms (Photo by Tomasito, 2009)
Redding Park Public Restroom Vandalism
I surprised myself a little a few days ago.We were making an ordinary walk through our usual park and made a customary pause at an unusually nice public restroom.When I opened the door, instead of the bright stainless steel fixtures , neatly painted walls and polished glass mirror--all very nice and much appreciated touches for a public facility--I was confronted by a scrawl of heavy black marking pen graffiti all over the walls, fixtures and mirror.My reaction was instantaneous--I wanted revenge for this wanton destruction--and to make the perpetrator pay. I actually thought of the Sharia Law and the Draconian punishment of cutting off the hands of the criminal--THAT would teach him a lesson he would not soon forget!Than I realized that I was not being very kind-hearted--this stupid damage was probably done by some foolish teenager who had most likely never had to do anything constructive or useful in his life--and who is scornful of law and good behavior.The ideal of ahimsa (non-violence)--the title of this blog--was certainly not well served by my reaction.The vandal's parents have failed--his teachers have failed--and his buddies are also failures--he himself is setting himself up for a lifetime of failure--but that is not his concern now I am sure. He is doubtlessly enjoying the present moment--making his statement--and, if he lives to be very old--he may remember this day as the one day he got his own revenge on a cold, heartless world.I have a lot to learn.Tomasito, 2009UPDATE: Less than a week has passed since the graffiti outrage--this morning the scribbles had ALL been erased. Good work Redding Park Maintainance--and I hope you catch the rascal.TW.
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