by William Banks

Created on: August 20, 2009

It would seem that our society has developed a disease. No, not one that could kill millions in some horrific global pandemic. No ours is more of a condition, I would say. Something of a disorder or mental handicap. You see, I don't know how else to explain our need to constantly victimize those around us that are in some sort of negative behavior pattern. A pattern or bad habit is what over-eating is. To call it a disease is to relieve the perpetrator of their responsibility.

Now, I am not trying to suggest over-eaters are bad people or that I don't like them. I am of the mind that if a person wants to eat until they are the size of a Volkswagen, then that is what they should do. We as the friend, family member, or doctor of said Volkswagen are not helping this person that has developed this bad habit, by allowing the blame to be put on a disease.

You will find that this type of ultra sensitive approach to enabling destructive behavior is not just limited to over-eating. In America if you can't control yourself from exhibiting destructive, violent, or just unacceptable behavior on a regular basis, then you are sick. We call people that make bad alcohol related decisions alcoholics. Then we tell them they were born with a debilitating disease that is only curable through the divine intervention of their Higher Power. The same goes for the crack head that breaks out in felonies when the disease forces his hand to steal some kids bike. It's not his fault, it's in his genes.

The most troubling display of this societal enabling that I have witnessed is rampant through out our communities. It is the pass, some parents give their children. After all little Johnny doesn't have to be taught to be respectful and it would be wrong to punish someone that's just displaying symptoms of a disease. The disease of course being ADD or ADHD. What bothers me most about this condition and the way it is approached is the fact that people will medicate to change behavior instead of parenting. This as I see it is wrong, but I will save that for another time.

In closing I will just suggest that we start being honest to one another. If your friend or family member is having a hard time breaking a bad habit, wether it be smoking, acting out in church, or over-eating the best thing you can do for that person is make them accountable. You can be there for them in their struggle and give encouragement when progress is shown. At the end of the day though, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck. Can't we just call it a duck.

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