EDITOR: We have lost a number of contributors to our society through death. Yet if they left their writings, we may continue to benefit from their words of wisdom. In the short term, our memory of their works may inspire us. But it is the living that we look to help us with our current endeavours. Unfortunately, many have checked out of society and for all practical purposes some may call them the “living dead”.

We know that they should have a wealth of knowledge, yet we do not have access to any of their counsel. The excuses proffered are many. They fear that anything they say or do may put them and their relatives at a disadvantage. In a society that is not based on meritocracy, many maintain an undignified silence, in the hope that they nor their children would not suffer discrimination. It is as if they have allowed themselves to be incarcerated in a prison that can best be described as Mental Slavery.

Thus, they participate in no discussion on current affairs, they do not read the local newspapers, and seem to be in a stupor. It is clear that they have checked out of society. It is as if their will is under the control of other individuals to whom they must beg for favours of various kinds.

Besides refraining from reading certain local newspapers and listening to certain radio stations, they are even fearful of being seen in public with those whose company they suspect might compromise their expected future benefits. How much longer can our society continue like this? Recession will be inevitable, if our society is denied of so much of its collective mental capacity.

The Priest may refer to them as those who have committed the “sins of omission”. The rest of us look on in awe and wonder why they are apparently “dumb, deaf, and blind?” The times in which we live demand that if they see, or hear something, they should say something. Too many have checked out of society and we long to have them integrated with us again.

Anthony Stewart, PhD