There may be one or more in our family, group, or community who have done or think things we believe they should not. Sometimes a group or all of us will shun this individual, not allow them a place or a voice within the community and may even behave as if they do not exist. This behavior, while effective by actively ridding the group of a nuisance, does not remain effective and not only damages the shunned one but the ones doing the shunning. While it may be necessary for a single person in a group to shun another person in order to maintain their sense of self and their self-respect it is a mistake for the entire community to act in concert and shun that person. Shunning is a mob activity that rarely, if ever, looks at or sees both sides of a situation and fosters intolerance. A better way to ease a painful situation is to calmly look at all the circumstances and follow a humane path to resolution. Once mob behavior is allowed in one situation, it can, and sometimes does, water the weed of mob behavior and create a predominantly negative family, group, or community. Shunning can be avoided by common sense and a level head. Justice can best be served by rational thought and a balanced view of things, don’t you think?