Pubdate: Fri, 12 Mar 1999
Source: West Australian, The (Australia)
Page: 12
Author: David Broadbent

LET'S INSPIRE OUR YOUNG

DRUG abuse, like youth suicide, is probably more symptomatic of a
wider issue - that of separation.

Our society's obsession with economic accountability pervades all our
lives, leaving too many people feeling isolated and disconnected. I
concur with the many people who cry for a sense of community to return
to our neighbourhoods.

But how can this even begin to occur unless we seek to understand
rather than judge others (surely a basic tenet of humanism and all
religions)?

Young people will always be the impetus and conduits for new ideas.
They are the vanguard artists, the energetic musicians and can be the
courageous poets for a yet-thought-of world.

And yet they are not perfect. They make mistakes like anyone else.
What young people can always do with, however, are elders who inspire
and encourage them to express themselves ethically and in "soulful"
ways - ways that touch their hearts and make them laugh as well. It
could be through art, througb helping others or by conserving our
environment - let their imaginations decide.

It doesn't interest me whether we draw inspiration from Jesus or
Michael Leunig. What we do need is patience, because trust and
understanding demand at least that. And with the level of fear that
exists in our community, I'd say we will all need a lot of it.

DAVID BROADBENT,
Como
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MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry