Integritus Prime

In previous posts in this series, we looked at the riots, Rick and Mary’s perspectives, and now we look at Ann’s life in this intriguing story that came from a TV series about being ‘tainted’.

Ann is a high-ranking police officer who lives with her dad. Her work is interesting and she is well respected by her colleagues. At work, she is given the task to investigate riots that occurred in another small town some 30 years ago. She informs her dad (Rick) that she has to go to this particular town to investigate the riots and Rick discourages her without giving a satisfactory reason.

She travels to the town and during the investigations, gathers evidence about the riot leaders. Some photos unearthed show a young riot leader and Ann remembers seeing this person in another photo in her father’s old suitcase. When she asks him about it, he becomes very sad and clamps up completely. This is when she realizes that all is not what it seems. The evidence she has gathered is somehow connected to her father.

Later, she realizes that the leader in the photo is her dad when he was young, but his name was different. Then at the trial (see previous posts), she finds out that he is not even her biological father, and that her mum had married and migrated, abandoning her.

Thus, Ann grew up without her mother. However, her dad did everything to give her a successful life including good education. When she asked her dad about her mum, he told her that she had died. Even though Ann had an expatriate boyfriend that wanted to marry her, she stalled his request as she wanted to be there for her dad. He was her whole world.

It is very difficult for Ann to believe that the same dad was this riot leader from 30 years ago.  She becomes very confused, conflicted and sad that the man she cares for the most, and who has loved her unconditionally, was a violent criminal in the past. After the trial, despite these emotional upheavals, Ann is very grateful that Rick brought her up as his own daughter. She experiences mixed feelings about her mum. Ann is, however, proud that Mary came to her hometown to give testimony to save her father.

The issues that stand out again are the power of love over hate for Rick and Mary. Also, Rick’s persistence as a good human being, due to the current need of taking care of his true love (Mary’s) baby. Ann received unconditional love and nurturing that led her towards a successful life and career. Ann was not only a respected and successful police officer but also a dedicated daughter. As mentioned in an earlier post in this series, babies born out of rape could easily end up in an orphanage or with some relatives who may or may not treat them well.

Ann’s story also shows what a loving and caring upbringing can do even to vulnerable children and those cast out by society. Rick shielded Ann from societal biases and prejudices. He gave her a proper upbringing and never let her feel that she was tainted in any way. Innocent babies born out of rape need our love and protection just like all children or vulnerable persons.

Rick changed completely as a father. He stopped following the crowd as he did during the riots. He changed his name and his religion to protect his daughter and honor his true love, Mary. This is a very positive outcome as many times we give up on criminals and do not give them a second chance. Nurturing, giving positive feedback and helping felons realize that there is another path that leads to love and harmony, may help many felons reform in their ways. Early childhood trauma and abuse is often the underlying cause of the negative behavior of many criminals. They may have grown up with negative experiences that turn into acceptable and normal behavior for them due to lack of better role models. We know this from Ann’s success as a modern woman and a police detective, in this story.

Share with us your experiences of how the society treats vulnerable people, and how negative societal norms and beliefs can be changed to include love and kindness for all vulnerable beings.