The July 21, 2016 Press Democrat included a thought provoking letter to the editor today scribed by Bruce Hubbel of Sebastopol.
Dear Editor:
As we, the 21st world culture, struggle to understand the epidemic of social violence outbreaks, the veil of ignorance as to what are the root causes is beginning to lift, and we are now seeing the fundamental profile of the perpetrator: mental illness developed in early childhood through trauma and child abuse.
We aren’t experiencing the effects of religious radicalism or courageous political fascism or mass social uprisings meant to change the directions of our countries for the good of all. These outbreaks are the results of mental illness established in early childhood trauma when our brains; specifically the amygdala and hippocampus, aren’t properly developing. That leads to lifelong problems, which are acted out in violence.
These are our times of social unrest. But don’t be fooled into thinking this violence is about any ideology, radical or not. This is about mental illness caused in childhood, plain and simple.
How we respond to this childhood problem will determine our future results.
BRUCE HUBBELL
Comments (0)