| By Weekly Reader
From the Website
Re: Behaviour can ruin shopping for us all, by Jess Graham Bendigo Weekly, June 20. Usual suspects will fill the new mall, letter from Eric Lakey BW, June 20. Give a fair go rather than persecute, View Point by Dave Fagg, BW, June 27
Comment from Rondah Dam. I did not read the first article, but related to this one of Dave’s. In my role as a youth worker I have heard the young people refer to themselves as mall rats.
In all likelihood, they probably thought of the name for themselves, which is OK, for them.
But what is not OK, is continually hearing adults of all ages and both genders, demoralising the young of their community.
Recently I was involved in organising a Christian event, at one meeting I suggested (as the event was youth-focused) that the mall be incorporated into the festivities, someone said “Oh haven’t they all been swept out of there”.
What an attitude and response in relation to the caretakers of the future.
In my perspective a community’s worth is measured by how well it treats its weak, old, sick, vulnerable, marginalised and the minorities.
How are we doing? Let’s focus on solutions – media space for community education, for community presenting alternative viable options and opportunities. Hmm, and some individual soul searching – reflection.
I can remember being young, and how important it was for me to be with and to be seen by my peers.
I read recently in years gone it was a stroll up and down the cobblestones of Collins Street in Melbourne, for the same.
Comment from Bryannah Roland.
I agree with Dave.
It is so easy to denigrate a minority who you can be sure won’t get to reply.
Also very easy to impose one’s morality upon others who cause offence, from a position of ignorance.
It is really not funny when people take the time to get to know others more than superficially, they learn empathy.
People with empathy understand that behaviour is an outward expression of an inner state, which has developed from a combination of nature and nurture.
More empathy, less agro, all round.
Comment from Jeannie. Only light can wipe out darkness, only love can wipe out hate.
Thanks for people like Dave Fagg
Comment from Anne Hubbard.
I’d also like to see the mall rats have adequate space in the media to put their point of view, although I don’t much like using the metaphor – it lacks the endearing quality of rug rats.
It would be helpful if that point of view could be put without a bias from whoever gets that point of view into printed form.
Part of the problem appears to be that there are people with different sets of values, and it seems that some of them think that their values are superior.
This probably works both ways.
If all those with a stake in the subject of who uses Hargreaves Mall talk to each other and not just about each other, a workable outcome acceptable to everyone may be possible.
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