Today, I was taken aback when a young boy about eight years old, approached me on the Red Line to sell me a chocolate bar.
I should preface this event by noting that in recent weeks, a number of enterprising men in their late thirties to early forties, have been jogging through the fast-moving trains with candy bars for sale.
So, I surmise that in view of their conspicuous absence on this occasion, they obviously put their children to "work" on their behalf.
First, it should be noted that there is a $250.00 fine for snacking on food on the Metro line, so it is doubtful that Officials for the public transport system in Los Angeles would approve of these hit-and-run sales techniques.
I expect the true sellers of the goods are dodging Sheriffs who patrol the line.
By employing the aid of the young ones, no doubt they are evading easy detection.
If the children were collecting for a charity, or "working" the commuters on the train on behalf of a school project, I might understand.
In this instant case, this does not appear to be so.
The novel approach to candy-bar sales is all profit, for someone.
What are the origins of those candy bars, I wonder?
Who is the supplier, for instance; and why is it that a sixty-nine cent piece of chocolate is being sold for a buck???
One elderly gentleman next to me sprang for one, then slipped it surreptitiously into his pocket. I was tempted to ask him if he bought the candy out of sympathy for the young boy, or if he really had a sweet tooth!
The incident brought back a troubling memory of a trip to Tijuana a few scant years ago.
Frankly, I was appalled at all the young children - five or six years old - juggling boxes of chicklets in one hand, while tugging at the hands and heartstrings of tourists with another, along the dirty urine-soaked streets of Mexico.
The whole tawdry scene was heartbreaking, but perhaps understandable in impoverished Nations, where a nickel or a dime may make a difference in a family household each day.
That doesn't make the practise right, though.
Is child labor creeping onto the streets of the United States?
When two young girls - about 11 or 12 - dressed in clean clothes, with backpacks over their shoulders, asked me for spare change one day - I was floored!
On this occasion, I quizzed the kids, "Do your parents know you are begging for money from strangers on the street?"
They backed off, embarrassed, at a loss for words.
I had a good mind to determine who their parents were, and pay a visit, so I could bring the issue to their attention in the event they were in the dark about it.
I enjoyed a sheltered life as a child, and was brought up in the suburbs; but that doesn't mean I have to be blind to what unfolds all around me daily.
Nor should I ignore the fact that today, in the streets of America, children are being put "to work".
In fact, due to a lack of parental guidance, they're losing their innocence at a tender age.
Personally, I believe there must be a call-to-action to end the exploitation of young boys and girls in the dangerous mean streets of major American cities.
I say, give the younger generation ample chance to enjoy their youth; let not a one be tainted by the ugliness and all-pervading evil of commercialism and the almighty dollar.
There will be plenty of time for the children of the world to pursue the capitalistic ethic when they're adults, if they so choose.
God willing, with proper education, and caring mentors to guide them, who knows - the children of the new millennium may take a different, more meaningful, Spiritual path in life.
Amen!
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