Could There Be A Mystery Behind Your Next Door Neighbor? What Secrets Do He Or She Possess In Their Closet...Or In Their Basement?

     Do you know your next-door neighbor?  Do you know any of the neighbors in your community?  Do they know you? 

     Whatever happened to neighbors?  We all have them...but we don't necessarily know them.  There are so many of us who live in homes with perhaps 20 other houses on the same street and nobody knows anyone.  People live in apartment complexes or condominium buildings and the residents don't know one another.

     For more than 10 years, three innocent, young women - Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight - were held captive by a disgustingly depraved man who is accused of despicable and unspeakable acts of horror.  How could such a heinous and barbaric monster hide such hideous and dreadful viciousness in plain sight for such a long, long time?

     It amazes me that nobody noticed anything for more than a decade.  How could neighbors be so oblivious?  Are we all so blunderingly blind to our surroundings and to what goes on around us?  I pray that we are not.  Fortunately and thankfully, one neighbor opened his eyes and ears on May 6th, 2013.

     There is an overwhelming sense in this country today - and around the world - that it is perfectly acceptable and appropriate to communicate by texting, tweeting and through social media messaging.  Today, friends and neighbors are followed on Facebook and Twitter, but rarely visit in homes.  The line, "Come on over for a cup of coffee" is a thing of the past.

     From driveway to driveway - people wave.  Neighbors nod with a cordial smile; or some may even verbalize with a friendly hello as they take out the garbage.  But do you have any true clue about the person behind and inside your neighbor? 

     According to a 2010 study by the Pew Research Center, a mere 19 percent of Americans say they know all of their neighbors.  Only 23 percent of United States citizens say they are acquainted with most of their neighbors.  And a whopping 58 percent admit they know none or just some of their neighbors.  All that being said, a 2012 Harris Poll indicates that 76 percent of people in our country would feel safer if they talked more with their neighbors.  So then why don't we?

     Whatever happened to block parties and neighborhood barbecues?  Are we just too busy...or do we just not care to know the guy or gal down the street?

     Reportedly, hundreds of thousands of people - possibly millions of people - over a ten-year period - passed by the busy Seymour Avenue house in the residential Tremont section of Cleveland, Ohio where Amanda Berry - now age 27, Gina DeJesus - currently 23, and Michelle Knight - who is 32 years old were prisoners.  Police say the three women were bound in chains and locks.

     Must we beware of everyone in our neighborhoods?  Maybe so.

     What sadistic secrets are your neighbors keeping from you? 

     Must we ask the tragic question to ourselves..."who's chained up in my neighbor's basement?"  Maybe we do.

     But what a terrible thought!  God help us...if that's the world we live in today...and God help us even more...if that's the world we will continue to live in tomorrow.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Please express your opinions in the comment box below.  You do not have to register your name and you can remain anonymous if you prefer.  The Controversy wants to know your views on the essay above and on any other commentaries written on this blog.  Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your thoughts in the box that appears.  Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word "Publish."  Thank you.

Copyright 2013 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.