Kill The Child: meditations upon the work Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
[I shall use the term ‘child’ in this writing to denote a young man unable to support his life
by mostly his own labour, or unable to defend his life from those that might seek to directly end it.
[In this writing I shall make use of the term ‘man’ to mean both men, and men with wombs, women.]
Today’s focus for learning as a family was upon the work by Mr. Dickens.
The work was introduced to my son of 12 years and my daughter of 10 years
by the 1948 film of the same name, directed by David Lean.
As I began watching the film, the title for this description came to me.
I shall relate the meaning it affords me by organizing my thoughts
around the pillars of; diet, mobility and shelter.
These pillars were mentioned in an interview given by Ian Zarbarte of the Shoshone Nation.
For any young man to grow and develop as an example of fine health, a healthy diet is required.
I define a healthy diet as a vehicle for the introduction of clean; air, water and food into a man.
The specific nature of all three must be determined by the location of any living creature.
It has been demonstrated to me by various researchers that this wide realm given to us by our Creator,
is abundant with many forms of useful plants, minerals and animals which provide all a man requires.
The requirements shall probably change, as seasons change, as activities and expenditures
of energy change during a lifetime. If we were able to organize an abundance of available,
fresh, natural products of the forest, field and farm upon a table, then a young man
might have the supreme agency to choose for himself what he required to fuel an adventurous life.
Should the balance of his health approach a crisis, then access to a learned man could aid in regaining balance.
When the access to a healthy diet is interfered with, or knowingly adulterated or sophisticated,
one might observe it as an indirect killing of the child.
I hereby define the second pillar, mobility as the direct freedom of movement at any time,
in any place, and by any means chosen by a man. Many men would prefer to move upon the realm
underfoot without the need to isolate their feet and toes within “shoes” or “slippers”.
Our bodies are wonderful instructors of our momentary needs and requirements.
When a man’s natural desire to move is interfered with, we have another restriction
upon the health of the individual. All creatures within our realm particpate in some manner of movement.
Even so called “stationary” living beings called trees can be observed to move in their own time
as they grow and develop or are animated by winds. It is an often observed result of immobility
that serious disease begins when a living creature’s wish to move is restricted.
I observe that a creature bound by a leash or chain is neither living or dead or truly free.
As an English teacher in Taiwan for over two decades I often remarked on how young men were required
to sit for many hours of the day as motionless as their overseers required in state schools or private cram schools.
Focusing the priority for time spent away from outdoor activities upon a passing grade
in examinations, instead of the natural development of a living man is another example
of indirectly killing the child.
As we exist in this physical realm, we are often subjected to fluctuations in temperature,
humidity and the intensity of wind. It is often necessary for a living man to take shelter
from natural changes in his immediate environment. That shelter may include; a family,
a village, a home, as well as clothing. To be clear to my reader, I consider a family;
a father, a mother, a grandfather and a grandmother at least to be necessary for every
man in order to survive as a complete living creature. As a single father, after divorcing
the mother of my two offspring, I can relate that it is no easy task to raise a child
alone. The needs and requirements to develop into a capable, independant, healthy man
require time spent among a family as he wishes, or chooses for himself.
A home must also be a healthy addition to the life of a man. It must be a place
devoted to cleanliness, minimal order, and stability. Intentional study may occur there,
and therefore quiet and calm are necessary. Suitable tools and materials must be present
or made in a nearby workshop to aid the learning process. Such a workshop might be shared
among a village of families for the benefit of all nearby. The better the home is
integrated within the beauty of connection to other living creatures in this wondrous realm,
the healthier the home shall be. Having a place and time for privacy is another necessity
for every man that wishes it. Forcing men to exist in “homes” that are not so in practice,
and that are demonstrably unhealthy is yet another way to indirectly kill the child.
In the paragraphs above I have not mentioned the greatness of a child while developing into
the man he chooses to become. Living in the moment, observant of wonder, appreciative of
widespread abundance, free of worry, cared for by his village, loved by his family,
focused upon exploration, excited by learning, enlightened by existence, et cetera, et cetera..
I shall also hope, dear reader that you may discuss my writing with me, to improve my understanding
of what it means to be a man, living today. For I know that I can much by my connection
and association with you in our common cause of defending the health, prosperity and freedom
of all living creatures in this realm.