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Reflecting on Nanping attack

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-29 07:52

While mourning the loss of young lives in the Nanping attack in Fujian province, society should reflect on the causes that led a doctor to attack eight children. Unsuccessful people need social care to prevent them from venting their ire on innocents, says an article in Yangcheng Evening News. Excerpts:

Zheng Minsheng, who stabbed eight schoolchildren to death and left five seriously injured in Nanping, has been identified as a 40-plus laid-off surgeon with mental problems. He has confessed that he attacked the children to avenge his failure in love and the job market, as well as the "scorn" he had to face from society.

Zheng reminds us of Eskimos' dogs. The leading dog in the sled enjoys better food and treatment than the others, who actually work harder and play a greater role in pulling the sled. When the rest of the dogs' envy toward the leading dog turns into hatred, they start chasing it.

But they cannot catch up with it because of the structure of the sled. In order to attack the leading dog, they end up pulling the sled faster and faster. Since they cannot reach the "leader" because it is protected by the owner, they turn their fury toward their weaker peers.

In today's transforming society, Zheng's is not an isolated case. He represents a group of losers.

Such people deserve the attention of society - more so to prevent them from turning their anger on innocent people.

And society shouldn't shirk its responsibility to help them overcome their difficulties and build their self-confidence.

(China Daily 03/29/2010 page9)