The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence (Part 1)

Law Enforcement Is the Invisible Air We Breathe

     We recently moved into a neighborhood behind a high school with no through streets – a perfect place for our kids to ride their bikes. Or so we thought.  One afternoon the kids were riding in front of our house while we looked on. Suddenly, a silver car, with squealing tires, fishtailed around the corner, and raced past my kids down the street. Thankfully our children quickly hugged the curb to avoid being hit. No sooner had we adults remembered to breath again, did the car return barreling around the corner with reckless abandon.

     I did what any mama bear would do. I took the license plate down and called the police.  Within five minutes a police officer pulled up to our house just in time for the car to come once again around the corner. Within another few minutes, three more police cruisers arrived with quite a show of force. Children and adults alike looked on with the thrill and in relief of justice being served. 

     The reality that most poor people live outside the protection of the rule of law is a sobering one.  Living in a place where someone will usually answer our call for help, provides a subconscious sense of protection. Law enforcement is the invisible air we breath.  We have a voice and a right to protection, even from reckless drivers.  We have the right to an attorney, even at no cost if necessary, and all of this is quite empowering. 

     Imagine not having a voice. Imagine not having an advocate. Imagine not having any law enforcement available to you. No protection. No security.

     This is a glimpse into the lives of an estimated four billion poor in the world today.

The Locust Effect

These past several days, (in between my day-to-day reality of endless distractions by my beloved five children, snow days, home schooling my two middle schoolers, and the rest of my daily norm - ha) I have been buried inside the pages of a book called The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence by Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros.  In fact, I'm still chewing on some of the meat this book provides.  So, throughout this week, I hope to provide you with some glimpses into the things that I have been wading through.  First, here is a glimpse into everyday violence...

     

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