I realize that I have yet to comment on the shooting in Connecticut. I realize that I was, until this post, a minority in the blogging world for having held off until now. But what I have to say needed a few days to breath. And I still cannot seem to find the eloquence that I long to find. And I’m sure haters are going to hate. But this is my blog with my opinions and feelings. Without further ado…
Our strongest weapon is hope. Hope for a brighter future. Hope for a more peaceful world. Hope for our children and their children.
Our biggest enemy is fear. Fear of moving forward. Fear of violence and terror. Fear for our children and their children.
We need to gather strength from our mourning hearts and courage from our fears to move forward. To continue on. To hope that the world isn’t all terrible. And to remember. When innocent children are killed for selfish and thoughtless crimes, the world weeps. For one brief moment, they are everyone’s children. But after the news had aired, the children are returned to the earth, and the world resumes in blissful ignorance.
Until it happens again.
What, then, can we do to prevent such a tragedy?
6 months ago, 70 people were injured or killed in a movie theater.
5 years ago, 50 people were injured or killed at a Virginia university.
13 years ago, more than 30 people were injured or killed in a Colorado high school.
Can such tragedies be prevented? What can we do to help our children and their children? Instead of placing blame, we need to take responsibility. We need to hold ourselves accountable. We need to hope. We need to have faith…in something.
I’ve been mostly appalled with the judgmental hostility floating around the internet. When an even like that at Sandy Hook Elementary occurs, we shouldn’t start pointing fingers at the people who manage to make it through the day laughing and playing with their families or friends. The world doesn’t stop when anyone passes away. The world doesn’t stop when human beings are cold. Or hungry. Or abused. Or mentally distressed. The world weeps, but it does not stop; not for a second. You can choose to dwell on the tragic events that the news chose to publicize (because yes, a lot of other tragic events happen that you don’t even know about), or you can choose to do something about it. Live your life to the fullest. Contact a politician. Do something nice for others. Be a decent human being that makes other peoples’ lives worth living.
The following blog posts have been inspirational in my journey to find the right words:
Still Life Miniatures-So Much Going On
First Time Mom and Dad-An Open Letter to Media Hounds
It’s a Dome Life-I Don’t Have Any Words
The B(itch)log-What is Wrong With You People?
To them, I say, thank you.
What do you think? Am I wrong?
7 Responses
I do not think you’re wrong!
I admit I did get a bit riled up when I read news articles on Saturday claiming that the shooter’s autism contributed to his planned violence and then some b.s. from dickspits on the Internet saying things like, “you can train an autistic kid to seem kind and civilized, but they’re like wild animals – they can turn on you at any moment”. So, I did write a FB post saying, “Um, assholes, autism doesn’t work that way, here’s how it does work”.
But I don’t consider that to be political, either. I’m trying to spread awareness and tolerance (it’s my entire mission in life right now, actually) and to me, those go hand in hand with hope and goodness. I think we’re on the same page :).
People who don’t know much about autism can be ignorant assholes. I would have gotten riled up if I had seen that, too! (I got riled up about people commenting on homeschooling as a result of the tragedy…it happens)
Sometimes we have to be a voice for people who can’t speak for themselves. I think we have to stand up for people. Saying hey this is what autism really looks like is a good thing.
Thanks for sharing these posts. I haven’t read some of them yet and so I will now. I think you are right. We need to work on solutions. I have been posting links for people to contact politicians. That meme you have up there says it all. Sharing something on Facebook accomplishes nest to nothing. We need to take the time to actually make a difference. Write letters, become an integral member of your community, be available to people who might need help. Be good people.
Nicely written. It’s difficult to put such things into words. The world hasn’t changed. It’s just that the sheltered folks of Connecticut (myself included) have been made aware that no place is immune to terrible acts and yes, they can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Perhaps that awareness will prompt some people to live more deliberately.
Ahhhhh this is such a controversy for me and I have not said anything about it for my personal reasons. I am extremely bothered that the media suffocates those who are moarning and going through tragedy when they do. It sickens me.
I also get bothered when it becomes clear that some in this online world use it to promote their website. I know not everyone does this but it still remains that it happens. I hate it. My being silent about these topics when they occur are on purpose because I will not use my site as a media source to build up fear and pain in others. I will however bring these much needed topics up at a later time after some of the mourning has taken place and families have had time to breathe and grieve over everything. = )
Thanks for an awesome topic to be discussed. Loved the positive insight and message.
Irish Carter
Dedicated2Life.com
“Promoting Passionate People”
Well said, Irish. You are absolutely right. I debated whether to post this or not, but ultimately went with my gut.