Warriors are not what you think
of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the
right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself
for the good of others.
His task is to take care of the
elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and, above
all, the children, the future of humanity.
Sitting
Bull
Every so often I like to bring
attention to Gentlemen who have taken opon themselves to make this world a little
better simply because it’s the right thing to do. I have mentioned before importance
of organizations like the Café
Sospeso, the Brothers
for Sisters, and That
Suits You. Today, I bring you one that I learned about last year, one that exemplifies
that a modern warrior scholar should be, Bikers
Against Child Abuse.
Some men are forged by a hard life and become hard themselves. These men don’t shy away from the stereotypes that society places on them, but rather embrace it as an honor. Bikers are like this. Their badass aura and an even worse reputation sometimes don’t always reflect their gentle hearts and honorable intentions. But instead of trying to conform within society, some use what could be considered a social stigma, and use it for good.
Children who have been the victims of abuse live in constant fear, as usually their abusers were someone they trusted. To them, that monster hiding in their closet or under their bed is more real than what it should be. Even if their abuser is no longer around, the fear is still there. So how do you handle a scary monster? By getting an even scarier champion.
Even kids know that nobody messes with bikers. Bikers look big, and strong, and mean, both in real life and in how they are portrayed on television and in films. They are easy riders, sons of anarchy, not afraid of anything and, more importantly, they take care of their own. A child who has been abused by someone bigger and stronger knows too well what it feels like to be small and vulnerable. BACA shifts that balance, by putting even bigger and stronger people, a lot of them, on the child's side.
If ever the child feels threatened, scared, or simply wants someone to be there, they simply have to call, and a couple of riders will come by. They are there to provide a safe environment, a place for the child to feel secure. This might be to scare of the abuser, to walk with the kid to school, or simply to stand guard all night in front of the house to scare off nightmares.
Not everyone is accepted within the BACA. These men train for their duty, as many are actual social workers and all are required to pass a string of background checks and training courses to deal with the emotional strain of their duty. But instead of trying to explain their ideology, I think their creed says it better than I could.
Some men are forged by a hard life and become hard themselves. These men don’t shy away from the stereotypes that society places on them, but rather embrace it as an honor. Bikers are like this. Their badass aura and an even worse reputation sometimes don’t always reflect their gentle hearts and honorable intentions. But instead of trying to conform within society, some use what could be considered a social stigma, and use it for good.
Children who have been the victims of abuse live in constant fear, as usually their abusers were someone they trusted. To them, that monster hiding in their closet or under their bed is more real than what it should be. Even if their abuser is no longer around, the fear is still there. So how do you handle a scary monster? By getting an even scarier champion.
Even kids know that nobody messes with bikers. Bikers look big, and strong, and mean, both in real life and in how they are portrayed on television and in films. They are easy riders, sons of anarchy, not afraid of anything and, more importantly, they take care of their own. A child who has been abused by someone bigger and stronger knows too well what it feels like to be small and vulnerable. BACA shifts that balance, by putting even bigger and stronger people, a lot of them, on the child's side.
If ever the child feels threatened, scared, or simply wants someone to be there, they simply have to call, and a couple of riders will come by. They are there to provide a safe environment, a place for the child to feel secure. This might be to scare of the abuser, to walk with the kid to school, or simply to stand guard all night in front of the house to scare off nightmares.
Not everyone is accepted within the BACA. These men train for their duty, as many are actual social workers and all are required to pass a string of background checks and training courses to deal with the emotional strain of their duty. But instead of trying to explain their ideology, I think their creed says it better than I could.
I am a member of Bikers Against
Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped
over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past has prepared me, my
present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low
living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed
visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence,
prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I dont have to be
right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by
the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I
love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My fate is set, my gait is
fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is
rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is
clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,
deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in
the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let
up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for
all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work
till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem
recognizing me, for He will see my BACA back patch and know that I am one of
His. I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.
BACA Creed
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