Fear is more unjust than anger.
Loved nerve
Fear is the opposite of love, it is an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger. It is a primary emotion that derives from the natural aversion to risk or threat and its function is to protect those who feel it. There are three basic ways to react to a threat: freeze, run, or attack.
Fear advances among the population of our country and translates into suffering in the face of the growing risks of being hit by the overwhelming and progressive violence, in all its expressions.
After almost four years of government, the conditions of insecurity in Mexico worsen and put us in situations similar to those suffered by the inhabitants of countries at war and those of peoples subjected to terrorism. More and more populations suffer from homicides; femicides; massacres; involuntary displacements; laying mines on roads; the bombing and destruction; the collection of quotas or right of floor to more and more productive activities, and kidnappings, among other calamities. These are already terrorist acts of organized crime, many of which are recorded and broadcast on social networks.
The philosophy of government policy called “hugs, not bullets” is an ideal of which strategies and actions are unknown, but reality reaches us and exceeds us. The current government is shaping up to be the most violent in the history of Mexico. During the current administration, more violent deaths have been recorded than those that occurred during the entire 2006-2012 six-year term and there is little left to surpass the violence recorded during the six years of the previous government. Do not lose sight of the fact that we are just over halfway through the fourth year of government.
The tenant of the National Palace has indicated that he seeks to reduce violence and homicides rather than capture big bosses, that “There is no war” against crime because “We want peace.” He has also declared that peace is the fruit of justice and that the causes must be addressed. However, the hard data reveals that violence is not reduced, quite the opposite. There are more and more people who perceive the security policy as one of complacency and even of sympathy from the federal government for organized crime, since it allows itself to be done and allowed to pass.
The day the President won the elections in 2018, he promised that the peaceful resolution of conflicts would be one of his policies. It was no coincidence that the National Development Plan 2019-2024 established in several sections the objective of undertaking the construction of peace and the promotion of a culture of peace. Sadly, after 43 months of government, neither the provisions of that plan nor the President’s commitment have materialized, they are not fulfilled. Quite the contrary.
There is a widespread demand that the State apply the Law using all the means at its disposal and fulfill the basic function of any government, which is to protect the lives and property of the people.
In the actions, speeches and some promotions, polarization continues to be promoted, contributing to an environment of rancor that immerses us more in violence and moves further and further away from harmony.
It is urgent to call all Mexicans to reconciliation and to put the general interest above personal and group interests, however legitimate they may be or seem. That everyone be listened to, cared for and respected, and that a peace plan for Mexico be finalized. Only united can we get ahead.
More and more voices insist, like ours, on the urgency for the government to build and apply a far-reaching public policy that is characterized by dialogue and harmony, within the framework of the culture of peace, and takes advantage of and apply transitional law, because the growing violence is causing fear to take over society.
It should not be ignored that fear, when there is fear for physical integrity or personal life or that of loved ones; job loss; loss of heritage; loss of health, and the invasion of towns by criminals, among other threats, is a source of conflict. Let us bear in mind that, from one day to the next, many children have lost their families and homes due to the growing violence of organized crime that acts at will, apparently with the consent of the authorities.
Peace cannot be built, achieved or supported by violence. Violence never leads to peace.
Many of us feel abandoned, in a kind of wasteland of loneliness and we see with sadness and frustration how the good times are over. History goes back to barbarism and fear, like a new slavery, takes hold of everyone.
In this dark hour of Mexico and the world, it is urgent to act to reduce violence and promote harmony. Let’s stop the discourse and public policy of polarization, division and bitterness. Let us abandon, once and for all, the method of confrontation, disqualification, persecution and exploiting social resentment. It is urgent that the President banish the idea that whoever is not with him is his opponent and his enemy. Concord is the way to achieve a peaceful and harmonious social coexistence. The practice of harmony facilitates the achievement of consensus.
Fortunately we are not alone and the more united we are, the stronger we will be.
It is about understanding that well-being implies that we are all better off, not that we are all worse off.
Sadly, a promising future in the short and medium term does not seem possible in our country. Let’s not allow it, it is everyone’s task to achieve it.
*The author is a lawyer, negotiator and professional mediator.
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Twitter: @phmergoldd
Lawyer and professional mediator
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