I've been struggling with what to say about the school shooting that happened yesterday. I don't know what to feel, but I know my heart is broken. I think its been broken a little ever since the Virginia Tech shootings. Every time one of these mass shooting happen, my mind travels back to my experience at Tech and the horrible days following. I think about the friends I had and how we relied on each other like never before. I think about the palpable pain you could feel just by walking on the campus. And the confusion as to why someone would do something so horrible. I read every page of the report that came out a year later, detailing the progression towards violence.
After Tech, I would have said stricter gun control was the answer. Take guns away and make them harder to get legally. I've since mellowed in my positions. I still think gun control is important, but have come to realize that even if guns were impossible to obtain legally, someone who is so disturbed that they would shoot up a school would still find a way to get one.
After a sleepless night, I feel at peace saying the answer is to start caring more. Start caring about our community. Start caring about the weird or strange people we see. Start caring about those who are struggling. Start doing something to show we care. Work with at risk kids, support social programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations, volunteer somewhere. I'm guilty myself of getting overwhelmed by my life, by my problems, and by my struggles that I forget other people have struggles too, struggles I might be able to help with. But I resolve to be a better member of my community. To care a little more and to do a little more. Maybe that will heal our hearts.
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