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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
"Negative Choices"
October 15, 2001
Mr. Kim Elliott, CPRP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell, NM
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson spoke at the National Urban League
Conference in 1964 and said, "We must open the doors of opportunity.
But, we also must equip our people to walk through those doors." The
Leisure Incident is one of those doors of opportunity that communities must
consider.
Leisure incidents are beneficial not only to the individual involved but to
the involved community! The benefits of a positive approach to leisure is well
documented. Yet, negative choices can and are being made when it comes to
leisure activities. That is why President Johnson did not stop with "We
must open the doors of opportunity." He also said that "…we…
must equip our people to walk through those doors."
In other words, just providing a program, an opportunity is not enough.
We must also take on the responsibility of helping those who do go through the
doors of opportunity to make right choices once they are on the other side.
It is important to realize that negative choices are not only made by
individuals, but by the organizations and municipalities of which they are a
part. What are some of these negative leisure choices that can be made?
Individuals can make the choice to use drugs and alcohol. Individuals can
make the choice to gamble. Individuals can make the choice to use sex and
pornography. Individuals choose to watch TV. Individuals make the choice to join
gangs. Individuals make the choice to follow those gangs.
The proper use of everything above can be seen to be good and positive when
placed in perspective and not abused, misused or overused. This is what makes
the leisure incident a complex matter. The use of drugs and alcohol can be seen
as beneficial in some cases. Gambling can be an enjoyable activity. Sex within
marriage is good. TV can be a fabulous educational tool. People join gangs,
otherwise known as country clubs, service organizations, etc, all the time.
Sometimes, we as communities encourage negative choices. How? By not
providing the means for individuals to make the right choices, we encourage
wrong choices. Communities have a responsibility to help individuals make
positive choices. This is not to say that communities are responsible for those
choices, but, communities are responsible for helping to provide a positive
atmosphere for positive, leisure choices to be made. If we strive to provide the
"door of opportunity" then we must also help to equip those
individuals who decide to go through.
Communities make negative leisure choices when they choose not to build and
maintain modern recreational facilities. Communities make negative choices when
they choose not to provide funding for needed programs and activities.
Communities make negative choices when they choose to focus on individual
"problem" groups within the community instead of the entire community.
It appears that most communities already have the means in place to attack
the problems of opening the doors of opportunity and equipping those who pass
through as President Johnson stated. They have park, recreation and leisure
service departments! These departments are already staffed with professionals in
the field ready to help.
Discover the benefits of Parks and Recreation!
