Objectivity from Inner Reflections.

Without doubt, the high crime rate in Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city is having some adverse effects on the economic and social landscape of an otherwise beautiful city. In recent times, the city fondly described as “a place to be somebody” can now easily be misconstrued for “a place to be nobody”.

In the business district of Wilmington, visitors who, earlier in the day, witness the hustle and bustle of the peak hours will be surprised to find the grandiose offices and essential stores empty and desolate by 5 p.m. And this has been the case long before the economic recession began to take its toll.

As early as 4 p.m., almost all the non-residents begin to scamper for the safety of their suburban abodes. The residents, on the other hand, can be seen peering through the screens of their bolted doors as early as 7 p.m. Night life is now strictly for those with “lion hearts”. Yet, this is a small city, not Philadelphia, Baltimore or some inner city neighborhood in New York!

As they depart the city in the evening rush hour, many of the non-residents often see the city residents in a pathetic aura. A friend once put his morbid feeling succinctly. In the past, while on his way home to New Castle, he used to imagine the number of people in Wilmington who would wind up mugged or dead before dawn.

These are the multiplying effects of the city’s rising crime wave. But the most agonizing aspect of this unfortunate situation is its ability to bring out the worst in the residents and visitors alike. Everyone sees the other person as a harbinger of evil.

This reminds me of a 2001 incident in Wilmington. In the middle of a wintry night and due to a circumstance beyond my control, I had to walk from St. Francis Hospital on Clayton Street all the way to my home then on East 13th Street.

All alone, I was almost within the vicinity of the General Dollar store on 4th Street when I noticed the approach of a “fierce-looking” guy ahead. In my opinion his appearance and carriage were that of an evil thug. Gripped with trepidation, I began a soft recitation of Psalm 23 as the “thug” moved closer.

I had commenced a second round of “The Lord is my shepherd” when, to my surprise, the guy suddenly dashed across to the other side of the road. In the process, he was almost knocked down by an oncoming car. Even in the dark, I could detect abject fear and paranoia in his countenance. This strange scenario was soon repeated with a different “mean” guy opposite the Delaware Technical & Community College along the same street.

Although I finally made it home in one piece, I still could not fathom the basis of those guys’ fears. However, I had to head straight for the bathroom to answer the call of nature. There, staring back at me in the mirror was the “meanest” guy I had ever seen. I could not recognize myself in the mirror. Due to my poor choice of winter coat, skull-cap and intimidating strides, I cast the impression of a terrifying thug on a mission to commit some felony. No wonder those other guys were so scared.

The lessons I learned from that incident were a legion but one should suffice here. The crime waves in our inner cities are no excuse for anyone to get unnecessarily paranoid. And it’s definitely no reason for an individual to rush into judgment over the assumed flaws of others. Rather, its’ time we all began to look within ourselves to imperfections crying for attention and amends. If we can take an objective look at ourselves, we will realize that the charity of our self-righteous critique of others should actually begin at home.

First published in The News Journal of Delaware, United States in 2004.