Murder hits the headlines at the start of a New Year!

I guess I wasn't the only one to open my eyes to a shock on 2nd January 2022. Every time, I read about a murder, I automatically go into shock mode as I cannot possibly perceive that murders are attributed to our tiny safe island. And yet, inhabitants of this island are not alien to such horrific events. It automatically reminded me of another New Year tragedy when back in 2012, two men were killed in a Sliema apartment. And of course, even though murders on our island are not a frequent occurrence fortunately, they still end up wandering in my thoughts.

Whatever the motive behind a murder is, violence can never be justified. I was even more shocked to read the comments on social media: some suggesting a life-sentence or even a death penalty. The justice system is there for a reason and there is no valid objective for people to hide their judgements behind a keyboard. There is no utility in spreading hatred in this way. What happened to the exchange of good wishes just a few weeks before when everyone seemed in beautiful festive mood? Is goodness a random act of kindness? Are best wishes related only to a seasonal moment?

Throughout my teaching years, I have always believed that behind every misbehaviour, there is a story. Of course, I do not wish to belittle this episode to a misbehaviour incident at school but I would like to pinpoint the parallel possibilities that our quick judgement tends to oversee.

For instance, what is the background of the alleged murderer? What is his mental state? What led him to such a horrific act that changed his life? Who is to blame for all this? This and many other questions come to mind.

Having read a book by Umberto Galimberti "L'ospite inquietante", I immediately thought that this person is a product of our society. So what's going so possibly wrong with it? Are we really babysitting children up to age 18 and beyond? Is it true that the Millenials have an attitude? If so, why is all this happening? Are we (non millenials) somehow responsible for this? Of course we are!

The day I walked past a group of mischievous boys and said nothing, I automatically normalised that behaviour. The day I witnessed a guy being very harsh with his girlfriend and kept walking as if nothing happened, I became an accomplice. The day I let it all be was the day I was guilty of accepting situations without contemplating if I could ever be an agent of change.

So, before we are on all fours ready to attack, let us all point a finger and find that moment that we all let pass by. May this incident be the awakening many of us needed!

Rest in peace dear Paulina Dembska