A terrible tragedy has happened to the Miss-Lou community.

However, we do not need to compound the situation by pointing fingers at the police and at parents. Look at your hand when you point a finger at someone — the other three are pointing back at yourself.

We, as a community and a nation, are at blame for the shape that this young generation is in. We have inundated their minds with garbage.

If we are going to point fingers, we need to look at MTV, violence in movies, violence in video games, violence and filthy language in our music and a lack of respect toward community leaders, ministers, teachers and law enforcement.

We have purchased alcohol for them. We have provided access to our prescription pills. We have taught them to get revenge instead of turning the other cheek. We have taught them that if they get in trouble, that it is “someone else’s fault.” We have taken prayer and discipline out of the public schools.

It is time for our community to band together in prayer and soul searching. It is time to teach our children respect toward authority. It is time to make our young people take responsibility for their actions and to quit playing the blame game. Rise to the occasion and say, “I did it, and I’m sorry.”

Learn the lesson and don’t make the same mistake.

Many times when I ask young people to please slow down while driving on the property that I manage, they look at me with “that look” and say very sarcastically, “Who are you?”

They then proceed to tell whoever they are on the cell phone with that “this crazy lady is telling me I need to slow down.”

Parents get defensive and want to know why I would tell their child to slow down. I have had young people say, “Lady, you don’t know who my daddy is.” (I do know who their dad is and it does not make a difference — we have policies that are in place for protection.)

I do not have the answer. I do know that our underpaid police are doing a good job. I do know that it takes a village to raise a child. And I do know that prayer can heal our city.

“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 ASV.

Lynn S. Emfinger

Natchez resident