I recently received an annoying forward (copied below) urging me to "pass this on! IF YOU ARE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE." For starters, I really hate forwards. Moreover, I really hate forwards that ask me to pass them on, especially if the original forwarder implies that by not passing it along I don't love Jesus, or am going to hell, or, as in this case, am not against child abuse.
To clarify, and to keep from sounding heartless, I am against child abuse. Who isn't against child abuse? Even the people who abuse their children are against child abuse. However, that does not mean that I'm going to pass along your little (poorly written) poem. There are much better things one can do to prevent child abuse. The next time you are tempted to pass along such a forward, maybe you should instead heed the following advice from Prevent Child Abuse America:
Ten Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse
- Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.
- Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand take care of the children, so the parent(s) can rest or spend time together.
- Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control – take time out. Don’t take it out on your kid.
- If your baby cries… It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. Never shake a baby – shaking a child may result in severe injury or death.
- Get involved. Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.
- Help to develop parenting resources at your local library.
- Promote programs in school. Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep children safe.
- Monitor your child’s television and video viewing. Watching violent films and TV programs can harm young children.
- Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program. For information about volunteer opportunities, call 1.800.CHILDREN.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect. If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or you local police department.
The Forwarded Poem:
My name is Chris
I am three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,
I must be stupid
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?
I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.
I can't do a wrong
I can't speak at all
Or else im locked up
All day long.
When im awake im all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home
When my mommy does come home I'll try and be nice,
So maybe i'll just get
One whipping tonight.
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's bar.
I hear him curse
My name is called
I press myself
Against the wall
I try to hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry
He finds me weeping
Calls me ugly words,
He says its my fault
He suffers at work.
He slaps and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And run to the door
He's already locked it
And i start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall
I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken,
"I'm sorry!", I scream
But its now much to late
His face has been twisted
Into a unimaginable shape
The hurt and the pain
Again and again
O please God, have mercy!
O please let it end!
And he finally stops
And heads for the door
While i lay there motionless
Brawled on the floor
My name is chris
I am three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me
And you can help
Sickens me top the soul,
And if you read this
and don't pass it on
I pray for your forgiveness
Because you would have to be
One heartless person
To not be effected
By this Poem
And because you are effected,
Do something about it!
So all I ask you to do
Is pass this on!
IF YOU ARE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
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