How Many Children Have to Get Shot?’ Father Asks Trump
Last week I couldn't post. I was too sad over the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school — and still am. It's hard to celebrate right now, even small things. So I'm not using the Celebrate the Small Things icon and links. Not today.
I suppose if there is anything to celebrate, it's the spirit of these young people who have taken things into their own hands to protect themselves since adults haven't done a very good job of it. But that's not a small thing. It's big. It's an awakening, a stirring of the spirit that may keep stirring through the land and wake the rest of us out of our apathy, our slumber, our leaving it to others to fix things.
There have been so many shootings, and each time I've been aghast and outraged and motivated to write and call congress. But this shooting hit me especially hard. I'm just so sad when I think of it. So close to tears every time I hear one of these young people speak for themselves. Hearing how tired they are of all the recycled responses to what keeps happening again and again. Perhaps it's hearing their voices articulate what it feels like to be afraid to go to school now. I remember what it was like growing up in the shadow of the cold war, the nuclear bomb drills, crawling under our desks (as if that would give us a chance). But I never had to listen to what sounded like fire crackers in the hallway, while huddling on the floor behind locked doors, easily shot through, knowing this was not a drill.
I have so much admiration for these young people who are not going to just go about business as usual. They are facing what the rest of us need to face: It's going to happen again if something real isn't done about it. America right now is held hostage to an organization that wants to sell more and more guns, and guns that are more and more dangerous. Our politicians are their puppets, now. They don't want to shake off an organization that can do so much to back their campaigns. And they don't want to lose that backing.
So I am saddened over the loss of life and the terrible trauma to young people who should not have to deal with this. This is the generation that has grown up with continued trauma. Think about that. School shootings somewhere, every year, coming to a school near you — perhaps your children's school — again this year.
And I'm heartened by the caliber of this generation who is finally taking it on. We should have been leading the way. But they are leading. Now we should follow.
4 comments:
I would have been here sooner, but I’m still having phone and internet problems from the ice storm we had two nights ago. To make matters worse, my keyboard is acting up. I’ll stop before I get too frustrated with my keyboard and say how much I agree with you about these senseless acts of violence.
Hi, B&E. I'm glad you stopped by despite phone and Internet problems. They can be so frustrating. I've been recently heartened by a wonderful video going around about these young people: a program where they sang a song which surely will become a "beacon" song for this movement. This is a movement that isn't going away.
Right there with you, Elizabeth.
These young people give me hope. Many can vote, all of their parents can and all will be voting in the next few years. They can and will make a difference. Whether we are for gun control or pro guns we do not need military-style weapons on the streets especially and legally, in the hands of young people.
Hi, Sandra, I agree. I would add to that, we don't need them in the hands of those with mental issues, as well. I think the issue of gun control isn't banning all guns — I would expect that those who feel they need a handgun for self defense at home or a rifle to hunt with wouldn't mind getting the military hardware off the streets. I'm sorry that for some reason it has been turned into an all or nothing debate in some places.
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