COLUMN: Everybody calls me Jana Banana

Jana E. Longfellow
Published: October 3, 2008

When a kind soul has his life taken from him, his community rallies together in shock, sadness and yes, anger. How could this happen? Why is our world seemingly out of control with lawlessness and no regard for human life? Why?

As people of faith, we are rocked to our core. How could this happen to such a gentle person, such a kind and generous man? Why was he not spared?

Here in Hartsville, we are at a crossroads. We can use our anger to lash out and point fingers to blame, harden our hearts to a grim future preparing for more crime, more break-ins and fear of more violence in our city. Stories are traded back and forth between people that have had cars, homes and businesses broken into. The drug issue is growing more prevalent each day.

Yet the most radical of all men who ever walked the earth taught us to forgive; not seven times as his disciples guessed, but seven times 70. How can we forgive this kind of violence? The idea seems preposterous. We are hurt, we are scared, and we are angry. We seek answers from our faith and remember that we were taught to pray. Yet, prayer seems to not be enough. Through our grief we slowly are reminded that prayer was not taught to be the only way, but prayer in action. Social action. Now, where does that lead us?

Hartsville residents are faced with the challenge of seeking the other path. The path that will rise above the violence and crime that is threatening our beautiful small city and say firmly, No. We will not sit home in our houses afraid. We will not let negativity win. We will speak our minds. We will advocate for stronger laws to punish those that break them. We can insist that tougher sentences are handed down and that the probation procedures are tighter. We will demand that errant landlords keep an eye on what goes on in the housing that they own. We will not complain when our taxes may need to be raised to pay for more police officers, and we will assist them with organizing community and neighborhood crime watch networks. We will use those cell phones we all keep close by and make a call when we see something suspicious. 

Good people that avoid getting into politics will step up to the plate and run for office. Those with great ideas for change will take time to join committees for social action to strengthen our community and get back to the “Art of Good Living” - the heart of Hartsville as it can be and should be.
We will use the old phrase of “taking back” what we deserve, which is to live without fear; we cannot fix the world, but we can work together to make changes here in our home.
And we will band together to prevent future generations of lawbreakers by taking time to volunteer to mentor children. Providing venues for positive alternatives for entertainment to teenagers that will show them another way to live. We can take time in our schools, the Boys and Girls Club, assist Guardian ad Litem and the Foster Care efforts. We can coach a team, read to a child, and spend time in the schools.
Some will say that they have no gift or talent to help such an effort. Do you love to read? Perhaps you could volunteer to teach an adult to read. The literacy issue is often what prohibits generations from succeeding as productive citizens. Do you love to plan things? Perhaps you could help with planning community events. Are you a night owl? Perhaps you can be the best person on your neighborhood watch initiative. Do you love to paint or build? Habitat for Humanity is the place for you. From Meals on Wheels to the Hartsville Soup Kitchen, Hartsville Interfaith Ministries to Community Action Agency, we have many charities in our small city that would love to have your donation of time and funds.
Just as our churches filled after the tragedy of 9/11, perhaps this tragic crime will inspire people to get involved with their faith community anew. Many voices lifted together gives more strength to prayer, and the good that churches do in our community and beyond is priceless.
Abraham Maslow’s infamous “hierarchy of needs” states that without the basic building blocks being met in a person such as food, clothing and shelter, a desperate desire to fulfill those needs creates unpleasant and often criminal activity. As much as we hate to admit it, there are hungry people out there that honestly have bare cupboards. A few notches up on the socioeconomic levels find people that are struggling to pay their bills, purchase gas and buy their groceries. How can we fix all of that? Perhaps those that do have resources to invest in our city may consider business propositions that would create jobs in our community for those that need them. Crime rates typically go down in communities with lower unemployment rates.
As we look towards the future of our community, we have to ask ourselves the question: What are we willing to do to help our community heal and thrive?
Rest in peace, my friend Keith Hancock. May the light from your kind soul be a beacon for this city that loved you and allow us to dedicate this catalyst of change in your honor.